Historic Albany Foundation (HAF) recently received a bridge loan from the Community Loan Fund of the Capital Region to restore the Van Ostrande-Radliff House, located at 48 Hudson Avenue in Albany. This isn’t any old house though, as stated by Historic Albany Foundation, “Built in 1728, the Van Ostrande-Radliff House is one of a handful of Dutch urban buildings to survive in America and is documented to be the oldest building in Albany. This building is an important piece of America’s Dutch history and a rare and tangible link to one of the country’s earliest urban settlements.”
For this exciting project, Historic Albany Foundation also received an Environmental Protection Fund grant from the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, as well as a Main Street Grant from National Grid for the restoration project. Both of the aforementioned grants are reimbursable so the support of the Community Loan Fund will enable HAF to pay workers in a timely manner to ultimately receive the funds from the two grant sources. Once completed, the Van Ostrande-Radliff House will become HAF’s new home for offices, needed space for programs, and architectural parts warehouse.
Historic Albany Foundation was founded in 1974 in response to the construction of the Empire State Plaza. Several neighbors came together and objected the conversion of the Center Square and Hudson Park neighborhoods as well as a large portion of Washington Park. The neighbors were successful in their petitions, and sought to protect historic neighborhoods throughout the city; thus creating Historic Albany Foundation. Their mission remains the same today, to preserve and protect buildings that have architectural, historic or civic value, by providing technical assistance, education and advocacy.
“The Community Loan Fund has been a pleasure to work with” said Cara Macri, Director of Preservation Services for Historic Albany Foundation. “This is the second loan Historic Albany has received from the Community Loan Fund. HAF also received a loan to assist with heating upgrades in 2019 at our current building at 89 Lexington Avenue. Both times the application process was smooth and transparent. Pertaining to our first interaction with the Community Loan Fund, they were great about getting us our funds in a timely manner when we drew upon the loan and they are always a pleasure to work with.”
