Questions remain around preserving the St. Rose legacy
ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) – The College of St. Rose has its last day of class on Wednesday with the final commencement on Saturday. However, preserving the college’s 104-year history remains in question.
Many local organizations – like the Historic Albany Foundation – said they’re ready to assist, if asked.
“We would be happy to help with any kind of plans,” said Pamela Howard, the executive director at the Historic Albany Foundation.
Alumni Michelle Ziemba and Patty Delaney can't make it to the “Honoring Saint Rose Day” event on May 18.
“It’s very nostalgic, it’s very sad. I had a lot of great memories of this place,” said Delaney.
So, the friends drove to campus on Tuesday.
“We actually met in our careers, our professions, we are both teachers. So we met up in
Baldwinsville, N.Y. teaching and then we found out we were both from St. Rose,” said Ziemba.
“We just wanted to come back one more time, take a look and it’s really changed a lot, for me,” said Delaney.
As they were reminiscing on their time at the college they had questions, like many others in the community.
“What are they gonna do with all these beautiful buildings? And what are they gonna do with the whole legacy? We had a really, really good education here. So too did my two sons. I just can’t believe they’re closing,” said Ziemba.
Howard, with the Historic Albany Foundation, has similar questions.
“Almost 100 buildings could potentially become vacant. We worry about how are they going to be maintained? How are they going to be secured?” said Howard. “One of the biggest things that leads to deterioration is when buildings are empty and not being used, or the heat is not on, or weather gets in. That is the biggest enemy of any building,” said Howard.
She said the Pine Hills Neighborhood Association reached out to the foundation, looking for guidance.
“Between our board and people who we are in contact with all the time we can really bring expertise to the situation and we would be more than happy to help in any way that we can,” said Howard.
She said the foundation’s board is made up of preservationists, architects and engineers and they’re always working with the city and different planners.
A spokesperson for St. Rose said they are focused on the commencement this Saturday, May 11, and will be giving careful consideration to all items and properties after they “cease academic instruction.”
It’s not yet certain where items like trophies, banners and archival collections will be housed, just yet, but Howard said the Pine Hills Neighborhood Association wants to see the buildings become part of a historic district.