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Updated
December 9, 2007

 

A weblog about the politics and affairs of the old and glorious City of Albany, New York, USA. Articles written and disseminated from Albany's beautiful and historic South End by Daniel Van Riper. If you wish to make a response, have anything to add or would like to make an empty threat, please contact me.


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December 9, 2007

The Windows Of Howe Library

The Facilities Plan contractors try to
sucker the community without much success

Howe Library is the crown jewel of the Albany Public Library system. Despite constant and increasing heavy use by South End residents since it was built in 1928, the building has been shamefully allowed to crumble. The good news is that Howe is about to undergo a major renovation starting this spring.

Howe Library
Howe Library

Believe it or not, there was talk of tearing down the building. For those of us taxpayers who give a damn about the South End, that was not an option. So the library managers, hot for voter approval to float bonds to renovate the branch libraries, promised to preserve the architecture of the building inside and out while modernizing the facilities. So we South End voters happily approved the Library Facilities Plan.

That was last year. At a public meeting this December 3 we learned that the managers of the library system have completed sixty percent of their design. But like the contractor you found in the phone book and invited into your home for the first time, we realized that we all have to watch these people carefully or else they will rip us off with shoddy work.

Before the public meeting began everyone could see that it was going to get ugly. The audience that sat in the metal folding chairs under the big windows of Howe Library arrived ready to fight.

Folks came not only from the nearby neighborhoods, but also from The Mansion, Second Avenue, Delaware and even Center Square. Sue Holland and Samantha Bosshart from Historic Albany sat front and center. Interestingly, none of our Common Council representatives or County legislators chose to be present.

To start with, the library managers want to plant a parking lot in back of the building. To do this they have to destroy a small park and tear down a two family house. Okay, the park is rundown from neglect, and the building is vacant. But both can be restored. No parkland and no salvageable old building should ever be sacrificed for an automobile parking lot. Ever.

The Back Yard, Library At Far Left.  Vacant House At Right Will Be Torn Down For Parking, Owner Would Not Sell Occupied House At Left.
The Back Yard, Library At Far Left. Vacant House At Right Will Be Torn Down For Parking, Owner Would Not Sell Occupied House At Left.

The late John Bach, who until his untimely passing was the president of the library board of trustees, looked genuinely puzzled last year when I brought this up during a meeting at nearby Schuyler Mansion. “We have to have parking,” he said with irritation, “or the library will be under served.” Mr. Bach lived in the suburbs, you see.

That brings up a little point that seems to have slipped by everybody. The John A. Howe Library is going to be renamed The John Bach Library in his honor. Admittedly, I haven’t a clue who Howe was, and I certainly don’t mean to denigrate Mr. Bach’s memory, but is this name change best for our library? I think this needs to be thoroughly discussed by the community at large.

[CORRECTION: The New Scotland branch library is to be named after Mr. Bach. Howe Library is safe from nomenclature desecration.]

Then there is the matter of the addition onto the back of the building. That’s where they plan to put the after hours entrance, elevators, bathrooms and handicapped entrance. It’s been understood right from the beginning of the design process that this addition is necessary if we want to preserve the architectural integrity of the rest of the building.

The Proposed Addition In The Back Yard
The Proposed Addition In The Back Yard

The problem is that the design for the addition presented to us looks like a suburban strip dental office from the 1970s. The interior looks like a mausoleum. This begs the perennial question, what were they thinking when they designed and approved this? I raised my hand and told Paul Scoville of the architectural firm CS Arch (formerly Collins and Scoville) that it looked ugly and horrible.

“Thank you,” said Scoville, grimacing.

“Can’t we have an addition that matches the style of the building?” someone asked, reasonably in my opinion. Scoville then explained, as if to hopeless ignorant clods, that the addition does indeed match the building. “This horizontal line,” he said, pointing to the illustration on the screen, “ matches the line of white block on the existing structure.”

I wonder if he was serious. He didn’t sound like he believed himself. I guess that’s what guys like him say when they want planning boards to approve crappy looking buildings.

But these important issues were not what brought folks out that night ready to riot. It seems that the contractors want to tear out and throw away the distinctive wooden windows of Howe Library. They want to replace them with aluminum windows.

You read that right. Aluminum. “They’ll look the same to the untrained eye,” said Tim Burke, who is the interim director of the library. As soon as he said this, I could see by his suddenly alarmed, hunted expression that the jaws of every one of his listeners had dropped in response.

The third presenter was a fellow named Jim Monroe from the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY) which was brought in to oversee the project. He explained that they had looked into restoring the existing windows, but that was too expensive. And the budget, of course, was much too tight for such a luxury as doing the job right.

“The existing windows contain lead and asbestos,” Burke said, using a tone of voice similar to that used by certain politicians who are fond of mentioning nine eleven. In answer to the next obvious question, Monroe added “I don’t have the exact figures in front of me, but it would cost several hundred thousand dollars more to restore the windows.”

Sue Holland
Sue Holland

And it seems that there is some kind of “green building” designation that the library can’t get unless they replace the windows. The implication was that the existing wooden windows aren't as energy efficient, but Sue Holland shot that down. “Studies show that if the windows are properly restored with interior storms they are just as efficient as or better than the newer double paned windows,” she explained.

But this “green building” thing doesn’t translate into extra funding or tax incentives, they told us. I guess it’s supposed to be good PR. And make us feel good and green.

Now, I’ve rebuilt more wooden windows than I care to remember. Wooden windows with glazing can be repaired and restored over and over again. But the new “energy efficient” windows have a finite life, twenty years or maybe a bit more. Once the rubber inevitably fails or the aluminum bends they become junk. You have to throw them away and replace them.

I shot up my hand. “A clarification, please. Where exactly in the existing windows is the lead problem, and where exactly is the asbestos occurring?”

Some Of The Threatened Windows
Some Of The Threatened Windows

Well, they readily admitted, the lead in the paint and in the window glass was no big deal, which I already knew. After all, there’s lead paint all over the building. A friend of mine who is a painting contractor does lead abatement all the time. This involves wearing a paper mask and spreading a tarp on the ground during paint scraping.

But, as we all know, asbestos is another story. “The asbestos is in the glazing,” Monroe answered. “The problem is that it is dry and crumbling, So we have to follow state guidelines for abatement.”

By this point the taxpayers in the metal chairs were getting edgy. Joanne Morton, president of the newly formed South End Neighborhood Association, expressed outrage that Howe Library did not rate the necessary funding. “How is it you can build an entire new building on New Scotland Avenue, but you can’t fund the proper restoration of windows down here?”

I shot up my hand, again. “When did you determine that there was asbestos in the glazing, early on or did you recently discover this?” Burke and Monroe looked at Scoville with alarm. “Um, early in the process, right at the beginning, “ he said. I wanted more specifics but they all turned away from me a little too quickly.

The taxpayers were becoming openly angry. It’s absolutely amazing that so many people would care about something as esoteric as architecturally correct windows, but it’s a new world here in the South End. People are no longer afraid to speak up and defend their community. And clearly, the presenters were surprised that anyone cared about their little window scam.

Front Entrance: Shamefully Neglected
Front Entrance: Shamefully Neglected

I shot up my hand one more time. “There’s a couple of hundred thousand dollar difference between preserving and replacing the windows, correct? What accounts for most of this difference, is it the asbestos abatement?” Monroe and Burke nodded vigorously, “Oh yes, the asbestos accounts for most of that.” Then, realizing what they had just said, they both looked terrified.

Here’s the problem with that. About five years ago I got some estimates to remove asbestos insulation from the pipes in the basement of one of my buildings, a big job. The price came in around three thousand dollars. Where in the name of South Central Hades do they come up with two hundred thousand dollars to strip the glazing from some wooden windows?

The other day I decided to collect my own sample of the glazing from the Howe windows. I had visions of sneaking a ladder up to the building, prying open a grate and frantically hacking off a piece of the controversial dried putty. I hadn’t decided what I would say to the police if I got caught. Some version of the truth, probably.

I had no reason to worry. Piles of detached glazing lay on the stone sills and spilled through the grates onto the street.

Piles of detached glazing spilled through the grates

Now wait a minute. This hazardous substance that requires hundreds of thousands of dollars of abatement is literally SPILLING ONTO THE SIDEWALK. Why isn’t this being treated as an emergency? We need to EVACUATE THE NEARBY HOUSES and bring in trained certified professionals in hazmat suits. Why isn’t SOMETHING being done?

Oh wait. This is the South End, it doesn’t matter. Then again, maybe these library folks are giving us a line of horse poop.

At great risk to myself I reached my fingers through a window grate and collected a sample of glazing from the sill.

It looked like all the other dried, desiccated glazing I had ever removed from wooden windows. On close inspection I could not see any telltale asbestos fibers sticking out of the broken ends of the specimen. Granted, this is only one sample, and maybe other pieces would show asbestos. You never know.

Desiccated Glazing On My Kitchen Table
Desiccated Glazing On My Kitchen Table

It is glaringly obvious that these three gentlemen, Interim Director Burke, DASNY engineer Monroe and architect Scoville are using this nonsense about asbestos in the glazing to justify replacing those wonderful wooden windows with aluminum crap. That’s my conclusion based on the evidence at hand, of course.

But why are they doing this to us? What’s it to them?

Well now, let me tell you about window salesmen. You see, some of these guys deal exclusively with contractors. Their job is to sell windows at inflated prices, often twice what the exact same window would cost at the big box store home center.

Now, why would anyone voluntarily pay twice as much for windows? A common practice is for the salesmen to offer part of their commission to the contractor, a legal kickback if you prefer. The inflated cost of the windows is absorbed by the homeowner or building owner, who all too often doesn’t know any better.

I’m speaking from personal experience here. I’ve had contractors try to run this routine on me.

Let me be clear. I am NOT accusing anybody involved with the Library Facilities Plan of taking kickbacks from window salesmen. I have not a shred of evidence to support that. And of course, you can’t buy the Howe Library windows off the shelf at Home Despot. That would be a “special order.”

But I am saying that I have observed that this sort of thing is common practice. And I am pointing out that the statements of these gentlemen, Burke, Monroe and Scoville, regarding the windows, defies rational explanation.

As for how to restore the original windows the right way, I’m told by various sources that it’s no big deal. There are plenty of restoration shops around that are qualified to remove asbestos glazing. The windows are run through a “steamer” that strips away paint, glazing and dirt down to the bare wood. There are standard disposal practices for the removed material.

Howe Library With Schuyler Mansion
Howe Library With Schuyler Mansion

And finally, why should anyone care about the architectural integrity of a library building in the South End? I’ll bet that’s what the library managers were asking each other after the meeting.

In the end it’s people that matter. Here’s a profound bit of common sense from an engineer named David Goodyear, quoted in the November 24, 2007 issue of Science News:

If you want a bridge to last, make it beautiful, because people will want to preserve it. If it’s ugly, people will want to tear it down.

Substitute the word “building” for “bridge,” and you have an axiom to guide architects and planners through the ages. Too bad they don’t readily grasp this simple point. I guess us regular folk will have to keep at them until they learn.

Prior Post * * * Next Post



 

Comments:


Posted by: Lynne Jackson
Posted on:
12/09/2007
Comments
:
I cannot believe that the proposed new addition "matches" the beautiful Howe Library. I mean, what are these architects thinking?


Posted by: duffbeer703
Posted on:
12/09/2007
Comments
:
Hello -

I am glad that you and your neighbors are watching the library's activities carefully -- please remain vigilant, as you cannot trust ANYTHING that they say. I'm going to be a neighbor to the proposed New Scotland Branch, and our entire block turned out against the outrageous parking lot and destruction of green space (an open field used as a playground by neighborhood kids) that the original library design was calling for. In response to this input, they removed the lot and agreed to preserve as much of the field as possible.

A few months later (after the public voted on the bonds), it turns out those changes were "just preliminary drawings", and that the library isn't bound to keep those changes. They've been very secretive about their plans as well -- the local neighborhood association president found out about them when Mr. Gaffney, the new chair of the building committee, mentioned it in passing at a neighborhood meeting.

The notion that money is unavailable for restoring windows in a historic building is frankly offensive. If the library board spent less time dilly-dallying with architects for projects that were supposed to begin construction right now, they would have saves enough money in professional services fees to pay somebody to scrape, paint and add storm windows at Howe.


Posted by: Mansion neighborhood resident
Posted on:
12/09/2007
Comments
:
What a great blog post -- thanks for your reporting, your analysis, and your activism!


Posted by: Dominick Calsolaro
Posted on:
12/10/2007
Comments
:
As for "none of our Common Council representatives or County legislators chose to be present." The Common Council had a regularly scheduled Council meeting (scheduled a year in advance) on December 3. So, I "chose" to attend the Council meeting. I told John Cirrin of the Library that we had a meeting scheduled for the 3rd and that I would not be able to make the Howe Library meeting. The library should do a better job of coordinating the timing of their meertings with other public meeting calendars if they hope to get the best turn-out for their meetings.


Posted by: nycowboy
Posted on:
12/10/2007
Comments
:
A lot of the problems you mentioned are issues of federal law, rather then the state, city, or library board.

1) The expansion on the library has to look distinctively different then rest of the building, as the Howe Library is on the National Register of Historic Buildings. That's what the federal regs say.

This means brick is out of the question, as it could mean to that people could get "confused" in thinking the building was originally that size or had that wing on it originally.

Yes, the new look is ugly though.

2) Asbestos abatement procedures are pretty dumb, but AHARA and NYCCR Part 6 would prohibit reuse of those window frames with the asbestos chalk, as an asbestos fiber could theoretically be jammed in the wood, then get released one day when a kid brushes up against the window.

There is no way you could clean up the wooded surface sufficiently to make sure all the asbestos fibers are off it. Likewise, while it's easier to strip lead paint off, it's much cheaper to take out the windows and dispose of the whole unit as asbestos contaminated waste (which makes the lead a non-issue as the asbestos standards are far higher).

This is what happens when people get panicky about environmental threats, and lose commonsense.

Not to mention that modern energy star windows will save much more energy. It's been part of their plan from the start to make the building LEED-certifiable, and you can't do it with old windows.

3) I don't know why they are insisting on eliminating the park. I'm sure it's part of plan to keep poor people from lingering in it. The library is in the city, with plenty of parking.

I will forward your concerns to Brian Levine, one of my friends on the library board. I'm sure he'd more then willing to discuss these and other issues in depth.


Posted by: nycowboy
Posted on:
12/10/2007
Comments
:
I should have noted you answered many of my questions -- comments. But you can ignore what I just said.

But the entire Asbestos thing is so silly.

:)


Posted by: Dan Van Riper
Posted on:
12/10/2007
Comments
:
Hey there, NY Cowboy,

Howe Library is NOT on any register of historic places. There are applications pending, though.

Some of the links in the post will tell you that a building loses only 20 percent of its heat through the windows. Also, wooden windows with storms can be more energy efficient than double pane windows because there is a bigger air pocket providing insulation.

Dried airborne asbestos can indeed kill you. But what we're talking about here is so marginal as to be ludicrous. If the glaze is truly dangerous, why is it being allowed to spill onto the street? They know perfectly well that there is no danger.

Brian Levine was at the meeting. He asked me to look for people interested in being appointed to the Board to serve out a term until the next election. How about you?


Posted by: Concerned Resident
Posted on:
12/11/2007
Comments
:
The defensive arrogance of the architect in the face of legitimate public concerns and questions is beyond comprension. The architects egos may be at stake. But so is their reputation.

By defying public wishes and ignorning the expertise of preservation experts, they will be showing potential future clients that they are not concerned about the character of neighborhoods where their buildings are constructed.

So, even if they do not give a damn about the community, which apparently they do not, one would think that good business sense would make them concerned about community goodwill.




Posted by: 1894
Posted on:
12/12/2007
Comments
:
What is it with this crowd and windows? During the phony public comment process on the facilities plan, Arbor Hill residents objected to construction of a new building instead of re-use of an historic building. But not to worry, former trustee Deborah Williams-Muhammad said at the time. She made an absurd pledge to track down the original stained glass windows from the old Pruyn Library (demolised in the late '60s) and have them installed in the new Arbor Hill branch. What a load of piffle.

Even if by some cosmic quirk the windows could be found, it would be the opposite of the foolhardy Howe plan ... Take beautiful old windows and stick them in an ugly new building. But never mind ... the darn things are probably loaded with lead and asbestos anyway.


Posted by: Lucille McKnight
Posted on:
12/14/2007
Comments
:
Hi Dan, I think you misspoke when you implied that the Albany Co. Legislator chose not to be at the Dec. 3th meeting of the John Howe Library presentation. If you check your email you will find a notice of a 6:30 public hearing on the now approved $662 Million dollar Albany County Budget. You must realize that often people plan meetings that present a conflict and I admit both meetings were very important, my first responsibility is to my Albany County role. Please be patient and I always know that if you are in the room, you will share info with me. Luci


Posted by: Matt's Old House & Fabrication Shop LLC.
Posted on:
12/14/2007
Comments
:
We specialize in old window restoration. Last year my (small) company restored 133 windows of a 1911 school building located at 112 spring st. in Saratoga Springs. Feel free to look at that buildings' windows and see the results.

Thanks

Matt Chinian


Posted by: Matt's Old House & Fabrication Shop LLC.
Posted on:
12/14/2007
Comments
:
We specialize in old window restoration. Last year my (small) company restored 133 windows of a 1911 school building located at 112 spring st. in Saratoga Springs. Feel free to look at that buildings' windows and see the results.

Thanks

Matt Chinian


Posted by: cynic
Posted on:
12/16/2007
Comments
:
These public meetings are a formality -- they intentionally schedule meetings that conflict with other meetings, change the time and locations of meetings at the last minute. (Did ANY of the 9AM or 5PM design review meetings in the library board meetings actually take place?)


Posted by: Matt
Posted on:
12/17/2007
Comments
:
I headed up the window restoration of 112 Spring, Saratoga Springs. the 1911 school building has 133 windows, some needed lots of work, and some just needed painting. please visit this building (and adjacent church building)both are offices and are open during regular business hours. Ask the occupants how they like the windows. "Building restoration is hard work and common sense,anything else should be thrown out the window."

Thanks for reading this

Matt Chinian


Posted by: Lynne Jackson
Posted on:
12/27/2007
Comments
:
I hope that the windows of the Howe Library can be saved. I am tired of usable stuff going to the landfill!


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