On October 9, the Landmark Society of Western New York announced its 2018 Five to Revive – a list that identifies opportunities for targeted, strategic revitalization. The Odd Fellows Hall located in the Village of Holley was among those selected.
“Each year, the Landmark Society works closely on these priorities with owners, municipal officials, and developers to facilitate investment and foster rehabilitation,” said Wayne Goodman, Executive Director. The ultimate goal is to return these important historic resources to a place of prominence in their respective communities, as economic and social assets that spark even more investment and revitalization.
“Being part of the list gives these properties more visibility and, as a result, may expand their funding options,” said Tom Castelein, President of the Landmark Society Board, who also chairs the Five to Revive committee. “Some on the list may already be on the road to revitalization but placement on this list draws the focused attention of government officials, developers, and preservation advocates and, in many cases, unlocks more resources to effectively preserve our heritage and promote economic development.”
Built in 1890, the former Odd Fellows Hall in the village of Holley sits at a prominent corner in the village square and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places as part of the Holley Village Historic District. Vacant for the past two years, this two and a half story brick building is at-risk due to neglect and masonry deterioration. Larger and more imposing than its immediate neighbors, this anchor building is a key element in Holley’s downtown commercial district. A new owner and a plan for reuse are critical to the ongoing revitalization of downtown Holley.
The 2018 Five to Revive represents a diverse selection that includes urban, industrial, institutional, and domestic resources. Other properties on the list include: Parrott Hall in Geneva; Former National Yeast Co. and Iroquois Motor Car Factory in Seneca Falls; Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School Campus in Rochester’s Highland Park neighborhood; and Rochester’s Aqueduct Reimagined which has been billed as the “centerpiece of downtown transformation.”
Although their future is uncertain, each property on the list has potential to spark positive change and enhance the communities in which they are located.
For information about The Landmark Society and the Five to Revive, visit www.landmarksociety.org.
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