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Historic train depot grant back on track
By Bob Green
STUYVESANT - Restoration of the historic railroad station at Stuyvesant Landing has taken a major step forward with notification from the state Department of Transportation that long-awaited grant amendments have finally been completed.
"This means we can actually get going on this rail station," said Supervisor Valerie Bertram at the May Town Board meeting. Bids for the next phase of work will now be sought, continuing a decade of effort by the town to renovate its historic train depot on the banks of the Hudson, and to make Stuyvesant Landing a destination for recreation, cultural and other events.
Deputy Supervisor Ron Knott is chairman of the Rail Station Restoration Committee. He says delays in recent years resulted partly from rethinking the project after completion of earlier phases. While the original design "envisioned indoor plumbing and heating," problems with septic and drainage systems were "too tough," Knott said. Also, there were concerns about losing historical detail if the interior were completely finished. "A lot of people enjoy the building in its natural state," he added.
Instead, a wood stove was installed in 2008 and it provided warmth for events last fall. A "fairly sophisticated composting toilet" is included in the grant's next phase, according to Knott. It will accommodate the public even when the building is full with no need for heat or hot water.
The upcoming work involves upgrading doors and windows in order to fully secure the building, among other things. Grant funding for 80 percent of that project's estimated $128,000 cost will be received from DOT. Knott says much of the rest of the money has already been fundraised by the committee, and that he expects donations to pick up once "people see something happening to the building." Design changes which slowed the project are intended to "reduce future maintenance a whole lot," he said.
At this time of year, the committee's efforts are focused on a weekly Farmers Market at the station, and on accompanying events every Friday. Upcoming events include a May 29 talk on birds by ornithologist and town resident Dr. Kathryn Schneider at 7:30 p.m., and on June 12, "River Day" will include a sail-by of four historic ships and others enroute from Catskill to Castleton that afternoon. Plans for a local kayak regatta to accompany the boat parade are in question due to Department of Homeland Security control of the river that day.
More information on all events is on the town's Web site at www.stuyvesantny.us.
The town will be saving some money on its waterfront this fall, when fireworks planned for the Sept. 20 Quadricentennial will be paid for jointly by the town Of Stockport and by a donation from Stuyvesant Hydroelectric, a project of Albany Engineering. The announcement by Bertram means as much as $8,000 that had been accrued over the previous three years could be freed up.
Stuyvesant Hydropower is continuing its efforts to bring Stuyvesant Falls' historic hydroelectric plant back on line, after a years-long process of getting approvals from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, among other obstacles. Jim Besha of Albany Engineering said recently that his firm would also donate the entire renovation of an informational kiosk at the overlook to the upper falls. Other improvements to that area are in the works, according to Knott, including the possible installation of a new split rail fence by volunteers.
"This means we can actually get going on this rail station," said Supervisor Valerie Bertram at the May Town Board meeting. Bids for the next phase of work will now be sought, continuing a decade of effort by the town to renovate its historic train depot on the banks of the Hudson, and to make Stuyvesant Landing a destination for recreation, cultural and other events.
Deputy Supervisor Ron Knott is chairman of the Rail Station Restoration Committee. He says delays in recent years resulted partly from rethinking the project after completion of earlier phases. While the original design "envisioned indoor plumbing and heating," problems with septic and drainage systems were "too tough," Knott said. Also, there were concerns about losing historical detail if the interior were completely finished. "A lot of people enjoy the building in its natural state," he added.
Instead, a wood stove was installed in 2008 and it provided warmth for events last fall. A "fairly sophisticated composting toilet" is included in the grant's next phase, according to Knott. It will accommodate the public even when the building is full with no need for heat or hot water.
The upcoming work involves upgrading doors and windows in order to fully secure the building, among other things. Grant funding for 80 percent of that project's estimated $128,000 cost will be received from DOT. Knott says much of the rest of the money has already been fundraised by the committee, and that he expects donations to pick up once "people see something happening to the building." Design changes which slowed the project are intended to "reduce future maintenance a whole lot," he said.
At this time of year, the committee's efforts are focused on a weekly Farmers Market at the station, and on accompanying events every Friday. Upcoming events include a May 29 talk on birds by ornithologist and town resident Dr. Kathryn Schneider at 7:30 p.m., and on June 12, "River Day" will include a sail-by of four historic ships and others enroute from Catskill to Castleton that afternoon. Plans for a local kayak regatta to accompany the boat parade are in question due to Department of Homeland Security control of the river that day.
More information on all events is on the town's Web site at www.stuyvesantny.us.
The town will be saving some money on its waterfront this fall, when fireworks planned for the Sept. 20 Quadricentennial will be paid for jointly by the town Of Stockport and by a donation from Stuyvesant Hydroelectric, a project of Albany Engineering. The announcement by Bertram means as much as $8,000 that had been accrued over the previous three years could be freed up.
Stuyvesant Hydropower is continuing its efforts to bring Stuyvesant Falls' historic hydroelectric plant back on line, after a years-long process of getting approvals from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, among other obstacles. Jim Besha of Albany Engineering said recently that his firm would also donate the entire renovation of an informational kiosk at the overlook to the upper falls. Other improvements to that area are in the works, according to Knott, including the possible installation of a new split rail fence by volunteers.
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