Pump Station Information
2024: A city contractor has repaired and painted the exterior of the historic Pump Station. The original windows were removed and repaired off site, and are now installed, completing the project. Now its time to reimagine a future use of the building’s interior space.
Finally, work on the exterior of Historic Pump Station at the foot of N. Ferry St is visible. Stucco has been removed to expose (temporarily) old brick and work has begun on the roof. Windows will be removed (temporarily) and plywood will cover area until historic windows are repaired and reinstalled. You may also have noticed a persistent odor. The metal roof and vents that were removed, exposed interior wet wells that had not been cleaned out and now require special handling to eliminate the odor. The city’s goal is to approve work and contract quickly and then complete this unanticipated work ASAP. With the visible commitment to restore the exterior, the Stockade Association and Schenectady Heritage Foundation are encouraging the City to reapply for Preserve NY grant from NY Preservation League. This grant could fund Consultant services for structural and environmental engineering assessment that will prepare a Condition Report to address what’s needed in the interior for reuse by the community.
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2023: Members of the Stockade Association Preservation Committee and Schenectady Heritage Foundation met with City Hall staff to discuss what might be needed to apply for a PreserveNY grant. This small planning grant from the Preservation League of New York can be used for Consultant services to assess the Condition of the historic N. Ferry St pump station. The application deadline is March 31, 2023. This small Planning grant can build on learning from the Reuse Feasibility Report completed in August 2021 by consultants from Preservation Architecture. The PreserveNY application must identify the scope of work the Consultant will complete and how the City will use the report. If awarded, a new Condition Report can be used to secure other funds to support any restoration. The goal for the Pump Station is to preserve the building and make Community use possible in Riverside Park. Any Condition report may include estimates of the cost of making this community use possible and would be useful in pursuing any future funding for construction. In the meantime, the city is already responsible for maintaining and preserving the building, especially the windows and exterior and has reached out to contractors to get quotes to do that work. The city has identified $750,000 from ARPA funds to support their efforts to see this building become a space for the community. The full Reuse Feasibility Study can be found on Stockade Association website historicstockade.org. The Stockade Association and its partner, Schenectady Heritage Foundation, are eager to see preservation of this resource in Riverside Park proceed.
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2021: The Stockade Association had an update on completion of the Pump Station relocation project as part of its September neighborhood meeting. The presentation included landscaping ideas by Frank Gilmore to screen hard surfaces of the new large building. Neighbors were asked to provide input. Those who venture near Riverside Park can see exterior work on hookups (big hole at end of N. Ferry), installation of new siding, and removal of overgrown landscape. Some work has been delayed because of missing materials, weather and a small covid outbreak among workers. The hoped for switchover and repair of grassed surfaces by the end of 2021 is in doubt but contractor work continues. What will happen to the old building? Photo by Gloria Kishton The Stockade Association has received a copy of the Feasibility Study on the reuse of the current 1913 building. It was conducted by Marilyn Kaplan of Preservation Architecture through a grant from the Preservation League of NYS, awarded to the city. The report includes background information on the structure and begins to evaluate options and requirements for any community reuse. Because new Pump Station funding came from the Governor’s Office of Storm Recovery, the city has to commit to ongoing maintenance and preservation of the historic pump station. The report discusses selective cleaning and structural evaluation and repairs to assure this happens. In addition, the city needs to remove any hazardous materials and undertake exterior maintenance of masonry, doors, windows, roof and the site around the building. Funds for this are not included in the Relocation project funding. One section of the report outlines code requirements and any exemptions that may apply to an historic structure depending on the planned use. The remainder of the report addresses what would be needed for full community access and use. Ms. Kaplan reminds us all (including the Preservation League of NYS) that “the historic pump station is unequaled in its opportunity to become a well-loved and iconic landmark for the City of Schenectady” especially for those who love the Stockade and its place along the Mohawk River. Residents who want to read the entire report (17 pages plus photos and appendix) can find it on the Stockade Association website. If you want a photo tour of the interior to get an idea of the work ahead, the Preservation League of NYS visited in April, 2021 and posted on their blog (see below). All neighbors, city and county residents who regularly walk, bike or boat by, know having a fully restored historic building in our midst would be a great resource. Making that happen will take a sharing of ideas and substantial funding from many partners.
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The City of Schenectady is working to replace the historic pump house, which was damaged in 2011 by Tropical Storm Irene. The project involves archeology studies, construction designs, and building new sewer connections throughout the neighborhood.
The Stockade Association succeeded in getting the new pump station site relocated so to reduce the impact on the park and the neighborhood. The Association has played an active role in communicating our community’s questions, concerns, and desires for the project and communicating information from the city back to our community.
Recent documents related to the building of a new sewage Pump Station in Riverside Park:
- North Ferry Pump Station Bulletin_01_10_22 to 01_23_22
- On Sept. 16, 2021, Mike Miller from CHA and city representatives presented final plans to restore the park land surrounding the new pump station.
- Schenectady Pump Station Feasibility Study Full Report (8/16/21)
