2006.014

Cantor, Paula Millenthal

Gift

Paula Millenthal Cantor Collection. Gift of Paula Cantor.

1976 - 1976

Date(s) Created: 1976 Date(s): 1976 Level of Description: Item

Display Value: Fair Notes: Archives 2006.014.0003 The New York Times, Wed. May 12, 1976. [photo caption] Stevens Academy, built in 1860, is facing demolition on Friday Plan to Raze Stevens Academy Stirs Mixed Feelings in Hoboken By ALVIN MAURER The demolition of Hoboken’s 116-year-old Stevens Academy is scheduled to begin Friday to make way for the 33d branch office of the Garden State National Bank. “It will be good for the city,” John Zalarich, a spokesman for the bank, said yesterday. “It will be bad for the city,” said Helen Manogue, chairman of the Hoboken Environment Committee. “We have gone through all the legitimate channels,” Mr. Zalarich said. “We spent a lot of money for the building and the land. We obtained .Federal and city clearances. The city’s Board of Adjustment granted a variance. Last week, the City Council sustained that decision, 6 to 1. The tearing down begins Friday. We hope to have our drive-in bank ready to operate by November.” “This is a great pity,” Mrs. Manogue said. “Our group is dedicated to the rebirth of Hoboken, and this rebirth depends in large part on a sensitivity to old buildings, a feeling for community spirit. This city is rich in tradition. To destroy such a landmark is not in the city’s best interest.” The city seems to think otherwise. Officials said they expected $30,000 a year in ratables from the bank. Mrs. Manogue believes that figure is inflated. Her group feels much more could be gained for the bank and the city if the bank abandoned its plans for a drive-in, and used the building for a regular bank while renting the rest of it to the city for day care and recreational facilities. Under this arrangement, the group says, the building of Stevens Academy, once a venerated educational institution that has been vacant for two years, could be preserved and rehabilitated, the city would profit from more ratables and employment, and the people would benefit through the addition of much needed services. “It would help the bank, too,” Mrs. Manogue said. “Think of the wonderful relations with the community the bank could establish by following our suggestions.” “We will be providing an important service to that part of town,” Mr. Zalarick said. “This will be a good, clean operation.” Mrs. Manogue said that 2,152 persons had signed a petition to save the building. Mr. Zalarick said that 500 residents in the area had signed a statement saying they had no objection to the drive-in, despite the environmental group’s contention that a drive-in at Willow Avenue and Fifth Street would be hazardous to the many children who use Church Square Park, the town’s library, two grammar schools and a junior high school, all of which are in the immediate area. The Hoboken Environment Committee was formed in 1970 and has 300 members. It has scored several notable victories, including defeat of a plan to build an oil desulphurization plant in the northern end of town in 1971 and the prevention of an oil tank storage facility at the same site in 1975 after a three-year fight. But it appears that the group is going to lose this one. Nothing appears to stand in the way of Stevens Academy’s appointment with the wrecking crew on Friday. ==== ==== Status: OK Status By: dw Status Date: 2006-02-07