Weigand's Tavern Needs Advocates

PUBLIC HEARING TONIGHT: 

AUGUST 9, 2021 at 7PM
City Hall
83 Broadway
Newburgh, NY 12550

A few years ago, Thomas Dodd acquired 326 Liberty Street via the Land Bank. The contract indicated that the building must be back on the tax rolls in a set time frame. Although modest in appearance the c. 1830 building has a deep history and mythology in Newburgh and therefore Thomas opted to involve the State Office of Historic Preservation (SHPO) in the restoration of the building. The extra time and preparation needed to follow the preservation guidelines, plus time and resources needed to untangle a complicated history, led to delays and he was granted an extension. Then the Covid-19 pandemic occurred causing more delays in manpower and supplies. Thomas was denied his most recent request for an extension. And now with the building due to be completed in the Fall of 2021, the city leaders are planning to force him to give up ownership of the property tonight. 

As a preservationist, my concern is with the historic building. I see that owner Thomas Dodd is putting his resources towards saving this structure when most owners would have thrown up their hands at the condition and requested a demolition permit. I'm a afraid that if the building is taken from him, or if the city's restrictions cause further delays while the structure is in a dismantled state, that it will not survive.

Unfortunately it's too late to ask for letters, but please come out to the public hearing tonight to advocate for the preservation of this historic building. 

Click here to READ MORE about the structure in a past e-newsletter.
Click here to WATCH SPECTRUM NEWS story about the recent archaeological findings on site.
Click here to WATCH SPECTRUM NEWS story about the restoration of the structure.