Pike Plan work briefly exposes details from Uptown’s past

Holk said in the cases where something special was found, he conferred with the building owner, who had the option of preserving the newly revealed details — although he acknowledged the expense of reconfiguring the canopy to accommodate the original building feature, which would have to be paid by the owner, was excessive.

Holk said the canopy height varies. In some cases, the new canopy will be higher than the old one (ceiling height is restricted by the necessity of having the pitched roof at least six inches from the second-story windows). On the south side of North Front, rows of original leaded transom windows will continue to be visible above the storefronts, along with the exquisite iron detailing along the apron storefront roof of one building.

He also said the plan did acknowledge the historic character of the neighborhood, by pointing out the new bluestone sidewalk, which replaced the old crumbling stone, on North Front. All of the construction is wood, and when finished, pendant lights will hang from the canopy ceiling, Holk said.

Art-deco tiles at BSP

Teri Rossin, owner of BSP and the building at 323 Wall Street, which was formerly a theater, said she was never consulted when workers discovered art-deco tiling as they removed the old canopy. “I was out of town, and they cut them away with a saw,” she said. “They’re pretty much destroyed. Ted [Holk] called and apologized and said it was done before he had a chance to talk to me.”

Rossin said she already knew that the building’s façade was covered in tiles, beneath the siding. “They’re in Aztec colors, turquoise, white, and gold leaf. I uncovered them when I opened up the original windows and had left them uncovered, but then realized there was a lot of damage behind them when it rained, so I put the siding back up, with the intention of restoring them later on.”

The base of the metal frame for the original marquis was also exposed in the renovation process. Rossin said she would have liked to have the canopy overhang removed at that spot so that she could put up another marquis. “It would change the block and give it some character,” she said. “[City of Kingston Economic Development Director] Steve Finkle talked about finding grant money for this. However, if I put the marquis up, it’s a very expensive proposition.” She said if she had been “prepared to do it right this minute, they might have done something.” Instead, the steel framework will be covered.

“It’s a shame to cover up all of the historic significance of these buildings,” Rossin concluded. “There’s so much hidden grandeur, and these awnings just detract from it.”