New eye on razing plan

WATERVLIET The city will hire an outside attorney and engineering firm to review the Nigro Companies proposal to demolish St. Patrick's Church and redevelop the site for commercial use.

"We need help with land use, SEQR assessment techniques and legal," Mayor Michael Manning said Thursday.

The Nigro Companies has presented the city with a preliminary site plan and partial environmental impact information. Manning said the city is awaiting more detailed information.

A group of residents met Wednesday night at the Ancient Order of Hibernians hall to organize a group to oppose the demolition of the historic church and to look into alternative uses for the building.

"This is not about the Catholic church. My purpose is to preserve the site and develop it in the best interest of the community," Christine Bulmer, an organizer of the meeting, said Wednesday night.

About 20 people attended the gathering, held under the watchful gaze of a life-sized figure of St. Patrick in a glass cabinet.

Representatives of TAP, a Troy nonprofit firm that provides architectural services, and Historic Albany Foundation attended the meeting to provide general information about organizing. Susan Holland, the foundation's executive director, outlined what the group would have to do work toward preserving the church.

Three representatives of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, who attended part of the meeting, said the new parish is responsible for the St. Patrick's property until it is sold. John Kenney, a member of the parish delegation, said four proposals for the site were considered, all of which called for demolishing the buildings. The identities of the other three firms were not disclosed.

The site plan submitted by the Nigro Companies shows a 40,200-square-foot building located at the north end of the parcel at 515 19th St. with a smaller 2,600-square-foot building near the property's southern boundary.

The historic church, rectory and school building would be leveled.

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New eye on razing plan