Here in Hudson, we are looking at the possibility of two major buildings, constructed in the last century, being demolished in the near future: Bliss Towers and John L. Edwards.
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| PhotobyGibson.com |
People have been talking about demolishing the nine-story Bliss Towers for more than a decade. At the recent HCDPA (Hudson Community Development and Planning Agency) meeting, it was noted that the building, constructed in 1973, had a "serious asbestos issue" and a "serious infestation issue." Nick Zachos, interim director of the Hudson Housing Authority, asserted that the building needed a "gut renovation" or a "tear down."
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| Photo courtesy Bruce Mitchinson |
The future looks equally bleak for John L. Edwards, the former elementary school constructed in 1964. Adirondack Community Development, the group considering buying the property, originally planned an adaptive reuse of the building, explaining the it would cost "millions and millions of dollars to demo it and cart it away." Their latest plan, however, involves demolishing the building and constructing something new on its footprint.
Before plans to demolish either building are carried out, the decision makers and everyone in the community should read and carefully consider the arguments set forth in this article, which appeared recently in the National Trust for Historic Preservation's Preservation Leadership Forum: "The Reuse Imperative." The following is quoted from the article:
Reuse avoids the upfront embodied carbon emissions that occur when materials are mined, harvested, manufactured, transported, and assembled to create a new structure. Preservationists have long touted the environmental benefits of building recycling and argued that "the greenest building is . . . one that is already built." We have published research showing that it can take from 10 to 80 years to pay back the carbon debt that is incurred when an existing building is replaced with a new structure, even if the new building is highly energy efficient.
Reading the entire article, found here, is recommended.
COPYRIGHT 2022 CAROLE OSTERINK
Yes. Recycle, for sure.
ReplyDeleteMy first instinct is to be supportive of the recycling concept, but into what? Are we going to end up with another tall building that houses economically disadvantaged people in a concentrated space?
ReplyDeleteJohn L is a nice building with parking, a kitchen, gymnasium and large rooms with walls of windows that could easily be converted into apartments or an upscale hotel. On the other hand Bliss Towers and the low rise are roach and rat infested shoddily constructed buildings that need to be torn down. The people are housed there like prisoners. Something decent could be built there that is not an eyesore, would blend into the surrounding neighborhood and could provide vermin free, quality affordable housing.
ReplyDelete