An Update on the Former Colonie Village School

Last month, we called attention to the impending demolition of the circa 1926 former Colonie Village School, and highlighted some great school reuse projects across New York State.

The League submitted a determination of eligibility for this school to the State Historic Preservation Office, and recently learned that the agency determined it eligible for listing on the State and National Registers of Historic Places. The agency indicated this school building meets the criteria for listing on the registers under both criterion A (association with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns in our history) and criterion C (Embodying the distinctive characteristics of a type, period or method of construction; or represents the work of a master; or possesses high artistic values; or represents a significant and distinguishable entity whose components may lack individual distinction).

Regrettably, public documents available seem to indicate the Village of Colonie Planning Board may not have given this historic building appropriate consideration under SEQR, prior to the issuance of a demolition permit for this historic school.