FAQ’s
FAQ’s about saving the Cornell Cooperative Extension Building at historic Essex County Fairgrounds
What is the Issue?
The National Register of Historic Places-listed Cornell Cooperative Extension Building in Westport faces an Essex County Board-led demolition plan. The FRIENDS OF THE ESSEX FAIRGROUNDS, together with Adirondack Architectural Heritage (AARCH), local friends and preservationists, farmers, and other stakeholders, vigorously opposes the destruction of this storied piece of the county’s and Westport’s heritage, and one of the more important and defining structures that make up the Essex County Fairgrounds.
What is the CCE building?
Historically known as the Westport Junior Achievement building, this wonderful example of a Colonial Revival agricultural building was paid for by Ticonderoga native and philanthropist Horace A. Moses in 1923. Its unique architectural style not only matched nearby agricultural buildings at the now National Register-listed Essex County Fairgrounds, but also reflected the optimism and aspirational vision of a prosperous and sustainable future in Westport and the Champlain Valley more broadly. Most importantly, the CCE building has a century-long history of providing opportunity for youth, broader agriculture education, and support and visibility for Essex County farming.
Why is demolition a bad plan?
It destroys a prominent, character-defining, National Register-listed building which is structurally sound.
A new building is more expensive than rehabilitating the historic building.
The proposed new building does not add to the character or attractiveness of the Fairgrounds. It replaces a distinguished building with an undistinguished one.
Is it cheaper to save the existing building than replace it?
Yes… by a lot. The county has used a figure of a $2.3 million rehabilitation cost to justify the demolition of the building. However, evaluation by expert architects, preservationists, local representatives, and contractors have determined the building is structurally sound and the entire building would require less than $1.5 million by eliminating unnecessary project components and modifying the approach to its renovation. At $255/square foot, this compares very favorably to a typical $370/square foot cost for new public construction projects. And restoration is the greenest option, providing more space for less cost. In addition, for those who are concerned the building may not be worth saving, Essex County’s own structural engineer assessed the building and concluded it is structurally sound. Click here to see the report
How is funding affected if the building is restored?
The County Board hopes to secure federal earmark funding to construct the new building. However, this funding could also be used to renovate the existing building, a far better use of the money. The CCE building’s potential for restoration and further use proves that there are feasible and prudent alternatives to its demolition. In addition, these very funds may be in jeopardy if an historic building is demolished.
What is the Essex County Board trying to achieve and will preserving the building accomplish that goal?
The County Board plans to demolish the historic building in order to build a new agricultural facility. It makes no sense to build new at more cost when restoring the existing building can accomplish all of the county's goals and more.
Can a building on the State and National Register of Historic Places just be demolished?
The short answer is it depends. If federal or state funds are not being used for the project, historic landmark buildings can be demolished. Currently, the Essex County Board has requested federal funding to build a new structure. Since the construction of the federally-funded new building would require the demolition of a structurally sound, existing, historic landmark building, the county will have to justify to the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) and the Federal Advisory Council on Historic Preservation why new construction is necessary. For more information see A Citizen's Guide to Section 106 Review. One thing is clear, however. If the CCE is restored the project will fully qualify for these same requested federal funds.