The Yates House at 109 Union St., reputed to be the oldest house in the city, continues to demand attention.
The circa 1725 home, now owned by Kevin Decker, was one of four houses named as winners of the 2017 Schenectady Heritage Foundation’s Preservation Award. Decker, who bought the house in 2015, will be among the homeowners honored at the foundation’s annual ceremony on Thursday at City Hall.
“They have done an amazing job at the Yates House, and that’s very important to us because that building means so much to the history of Schenectady,” said foundation Chairperson Gloria Kishton. “We were so concerned about the house getting the right owner. Well, it seems it got the perfect owner.”
Other winners of preservation awards were buildings at 11 Ingersoll Ave., owned by John Samaltuski; 132 North College St., owned by Diane and Jeffrey Moore; and the building at 10 North Jay St., home to the MopCo Improv Theatre, owned by Kat Koppet and Michael Burns. Three of the buildings are in the Stockade neighborhood, while the MopCo Theatre is just outside the neighborhood, a block north of City Hall on North Jay.
“We are a countywide organization, and we have handed out awards to homes all over the county, including the towns of Duanesburg and Princetown,” said Kishton. “This year’s awards showcase diverse examples of preservations that enhance economic development and preserve residential architecture in Schenectady’s historic districts.”
The Yates House has had extensive work done on its roof, and Decker is expected to start renovating the interior soon. The house at 11 Ingersoll Ave. was damaged by Tropical Storm Irene in 2011. The building at 132 North College St. was once a candy store, and the building that now houses MopCo was built as a fire station and was also used as a downtown night spot.
“No. 11 Ingersoll is fully rented and a complete success story for everyone involved … 132 North College was a modest restoration, but we really liked what they did to it, and it’s great that MopCo is using the old firehouse,” said Kishton.
The award winners will be honored at an award ceremony in the rotunda of the City Hall at 4 p.m. on Thursday. A reception will follow at the MopCo Improv Theatre. The public is invited and the event is free.
Categories: -News-, Schenectady County
