The Battle of Shiloh

On Friday, the Historic Preservation Commission continued its public hearing on the designation of 241 Columbia Street, the building originally constructed as the house of worship for Shiloh Baptist Church, as a local landmark.

During the public hearing, the HPC heard from many of the same people they've heard from before. Ronald Kopnicki quoted the Gospel According to Matthew, the passage where Christ says, "Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church," and from that segued into the assertion that "the designation and preservation" of the former Shiloh Baptist Church "would construct the foundation of another faith: civic faith." 

Sidney Long, who identified herself as a member of the Tourism Board, posited that "black history has been erased throughout the country" and argued that, "as we expand and re-imagine Hudson," there could not be "a better engine for recovery" than the former Shiloh Baptist Church. 

Matt McGhee spoke of "the abiding denial of black people's reality" and equated designating the building as a landmark with "recognizing the cultural history of African Americans."

Among the advocates for designation were two new voices: Rev. Ronald Grant, the current pastor of Shiloh Baptist Church, and Rev. Alan Williams, pastor elect of the church. Grant spoke of the vibrant history of the building; Williams spoke of the importance of having "a visible landmark to honor the past."

For the first time since February 28, when she appeared at the public hearing to deny that she had any intention of demolishing the building, the building's owner, Victoria Milne, addressed the HPC. She began by saying it had been "rewarding and enriching to learn about the building's history" and affirming her interest in "accommodating that history" but ended by declaring, "If you designate the building, I will sell it." In between, she spoke of the unfair way she had been treated and the financial burden that historic designation would impose upon her. 

Milne pointed out that the fervor for designation had been inspired by "the unfounded fear that the building would be demolished." She complained that there had been no outreach to her regarding the possible designation and said had learned about it from "an opinion blog" (no doubt referring to The Gossips of Rivertown) only after "those seeking designation had already rallied the community." Because the City owned the building for a few months in 2017, after it was seized for nonpayment of property taxes, she suggested that the City wanted to impose a cost on an outsider that it was not willing be assume. She alleged that she had been "colluded against in secret."

Hardship was Milne's principal reason for opposing the building's designation. She said the building was "falling apart," was "unmortgagable," and "had not been maintained for years." She argued it was "too late for designation," complained of the "extraordinary financial burden with historic preservation," and asserted "designation will only deepen the deep hole the building project is already in." She assured the HPC that, if they did not designate the building, it would be well taken care of and showed an elevation of what she intended for the building's facade, which involves returning the windows to their original height.

Milne told the HPC, "I am going to restore the building as best I can to bring it back to the original, but if it is designated, I will sell it."  

Victoria Polidoro, counsel to the HPC, asked Milne, "What is it about the landmark process that you find so onerous?" Kristal Heinz, counsel for Milne, mentioned specifications for windows and use of like materials. Milne cited having to wait for hearings and the need to have a lawyer or architect accompany her to those hearings. Phil Forman, who chairs the HPC, suggested that the plans for the restoration and the designation are linked and proposed that they might move forward together. He said the commission was willing to work with property owners. Milne told him landmark designation was forever, and she was anticipating a time "when you are all replaced by local mad tyrants."

Milne maintained, "Historic designation is not the best way to celebrate the cultural significance of the building." She proposed a plaque "to tell the story of the site that would be perpetually there." She argued, "The building itself is not so significant. This is about culture. A plaque is the only way history can be acknowledged." 

When asked what he thought about the plaque, Ed Cross, who instigated the demand for landmark designation for the building, said it wasn't up to him, it was up to the community. He spoke of "the need to get the place recognized" and for "the community to own it as a historic site." He also commented, "I don't want this woman to go broke."

It appears that the HPC is between a rock and a hard place, and it is unclear what action it will take. After an hour and a half, the public hearing was closed, but Forman agreed to extend the period for written comments for an additional ten days. The next HPC meeting is scheduled to take place on Friday, June 12.  
COPYRIGHT 2020 CAROLE OSTERINK