Demolition Alert: 201 Elk St., Albany

The recent demolition of 201 Elk Street and its neighbors in Albany’s Sheridan Hollow has us thinking about the loss of industrial history, the challenges in investing in economically-distressed neighborhoods, issues with long-term municipal ownership of vacant buildings, and the environmental impact of demolition, especially as construction and demolition landfills expand around New York State. The League continues to look for solutions to these challenges surrounding historic preservation.

Preservation consultant Kimberly Alvarez had recently researched this block, which had been determined eligible for the National Register of Historic Places by the NYS Historic Preservation Office. Unfortunately, now that National Register-eligibility is in jeopardy.  

Kim described the oldest building on this block, 199-201 Elk Street, as a two-story brick stable building that was the first double lot commercial development, built between 1890 and 1908. The two-story brick building originally served as a stable and storage building, then housed an electrical contracting company. According to Kim’s research, “Edward G. May Electrical Contractors were established in 1919 and were operating out of this location until at least 1981 according to City Directories.” 

League staff walked over to the demolition site on March 6th to photograph the debris and clean-up.

Read more about this demolition.