National Trust for Historic Preservation 11 MOST ENDANGERED LIST NOMINATION Bethlehem Steel North Administration Building Part

I Name: Meagan Baco (on behalf of all involved in Im Steel Standing and in the writing of the nomination specifically Darren Cotton, Lesley Horowitz, Christina Lincoln, Spenser Morgan, Dana Saylor, and David Torke) Email: meagan@histpres.com Name of Place: Bethlehem Steel North Administration Building (Bethlehem Steel) Location: 1951 Hamburg Turnpike, Lackawanna, Erie County, NY Date Submitted: 03/01/2013 Part II Please write a short paragraph explaining why this place should be listed on the National Trust for Historic Preservations 2013 list of Americas 11 Most Endangered Historic Places (250 words): Bethlehem Steel was designed as the administration headquarters of Lackawanna Steel Company in the Beaux arts style in 1901 - the same year that Buffalo hosted the first electrified Worlds Fair and where McKinley was assassinated and TR sworn in, all less than five miles apart. The reason for this monumental face for a vast industrial complex lies in the stature of Lackawanna Steel, later Bethlehem, as the largest steel mill in the world. The company had such influence gained from building American skyscrapers and supplying the Allies in WWI and WWII that the section of town where it is located was renamed Lackawanna. With the ending of the manufacturing era, the mills closed in 1982 and much of the complex has been and continues to be demolished. The building was vacant and ill maintained for 30 years. Recently, however, there has been millions of dollars of investment along the Waterfront including transportation connectivity, recreation infrastructure, and a clean water campaign. In May 2012, demolition equipment was spotted by exploring photographers and since then there has been an up-hill grassroots battle to keep this steel standing. The Mayor of Lackawanna and the owners are sounding the demolition drum while SHPO confirmed it was National Registereligible and structurally sound. The citizen-led campaign has included FOIL requests for engineering reports, EPA and DOL compliance, and proper use of funds allocated to the City for a reuse plan that was never completed. In January and February, the group filed two court cases, but the temporary restraining order was lifted. What this story contains that is of interest to the Trust is a nationally significant, extremely striking and pleasant building with immediate reuse potential based on its location and an active local community. Provide a brief description of the project including its significance and potential newsworthy angles. Beyond its significance and the threat it faces, what are the specific reasons the place would be of interest to the public? (300 words) The Beaux arts building was designed by Lansing C. Holden in 1901, the only example of this style in his portfolio that included the NYS Capitol Building, and is elaborately detailed with a copper frieze and roof with round wreath dormers, and bright terra-cotta elements on yellow brick along its elongated facade. In its heyday, Bethlehem Steel employed more than 20,000 people producing 20 million tons of steel a year and comprising 70% of the Citys tax revenue. Not only did it manufacture the steel for the Empire State Building and the Golden Gate Bridge,

it was a major contractor to the US Army and Navy during WWI and WWII to supply materials for ships, tanks, planes and other equipment. Along with this triumphant history, its decline is also emblematic of the difficult economic and social paradigm shifts seen across post-industrial American cities leading to the decline of the Rust Belt. But with its preservation it can represent the booming beginning, difficult mid-century middle and also, the future of urban American through its adaptive reuse. In engaging and educating the public with the story of Bethlehem Steel, the options are limitless and include; the history and decline of American industry, the nuts and bolts of our WWI and WWII victories, the architecture and design of the building in a significant year for Buffalo, the employment of thousands and later the health impacts of their work, environmental and brownfield concerns and the threat of fracking onsite, the grassroots efforts that have saved the building once in the 1990s and now, again, and the tactics used by those citizens and finally, with the Trusts assistance, the leveraging of nearby investment in infrastructure and cultural heritage, and using the historic tax credits, to adaptively reuse a magnificent building for purposes suited for todays citizens. Part III Describe the nature and urgency of the threat (200 words) Bethlehem Steel is in immediate danger with a 1940s rear addition already demolished, equipment waiting onsite, and a stop work order lifted. The Mayor appears against reuse of the building but is prideful about local historic treasures like the Botanical Gardens in an Olmsted park and Our Lady of Victory Basilica. There is some hope in reaching him before it is too late, but he declined meetings with residents and developers. Similarly, the building owner, a multimillion dollar materials company, Gateway Trade, has rejected offers and pro formas from developers and has limited access to engineers for accurate repors. Worse, they have no plan for the property and it may become a weedy lot or host a corrugated metal box. Lackawanna is not a Certified Local Government and legislates no protection for its cultural resources. With the citizens media-heavy campaign to save the building and two open lawsuits, the Trusts presence would be useful to temper all parties involved while offering the technical support needed to explore economically feasible reuse options. There is a national team of experts waiting to work on this building led by Buffalonian, Barbara Campagna, FAIA, and a $500,000 RestoreNY grant already allocated to the building. Demolition might start again at any moment and while those active to preserve it continue diligently, the support of the Trust would go a long way to secure the future of a project with so much potential. Describe potential solutions to the threat (200 words) The immediate concern is to stop the demolition through legal action; both court cases by the citizen groups are open but pending, and there is no protection for the building. A solution is to have the City revoke the demolition order upon the owner. Another is to create a reuse pro forma that the owners cannot refuse, we have the team and the money to do that, but not the time and access. Mothballing is a simple, cost-effective option that would save the owner money and allow time for a reuse study. There is a State grant available, and opportunities created by the building being in a Brownfield Opportunity Area, there is also a private pledge of $100,000 towards a reuse study. From our work with regional tax credit experts, there is a pro forma for the 70,000 sq. ft. buildings abatement and reuse at $12.5m with a tax credit return of over $4m; a full reuse study has been quoted at $500,000. Regional non-profits and developers are interested in a lease long enough to satisfy historic tax credit regulations, or sale, from the owners. The expertise that the Trust could bring to meetings with the owners and the City would

be invaluable as a recognized voice in making preservation make economic sense. Is there a local organization already in place working to save the site? Please describe the organizations efforts and how it would take advantage of the increased public attention generated by being listed on the National Trust's 11 Most list (250 words) Much of the advocacy work has been done by a group of committed activists including; investigative research into the demolition, contractors, environmental guidelines; historic research and a National Register nomination; reuse plans and pro formas; organizing rallies and educating the public through media exposure; maintaining a website of all information at http://imsteelstanding.org; filing a court case with the City regarding the cover up a structural report stating the building is in no immediate danger of collapse when the City opined otherwise; a lawsuit in State Supreme Court regarding non-compliance to environmental law. Most striking, a resident, John Nowak, has camped outside the building for weeks to provide round-the-clock reports, and a constant reminder of what we are all, together, fighting for the longevity of our regional cultural identity. The Lackawanna Industrial Heritage Group is an educational group founded specifically as a result and there is a nationwide relatives of Bethlehem Steel workers group involved. Known for its legal strategies, the Campaign for Greater Buffalo has taken on the groups lawsuits. The Preservation League of NYS is sending the Trust a letter of support. Preservation Buffalo Niagara has nominated the building to the Trusts National Treasures and is hosting a fundraiser. There are many organizations interested in the property, including the Steel Plant Museum. An unexplored but interesting partnership is that with the healthcare sphere for former Bethlehem Steel workers. With the increased attention by the Trust, the information and plans that these groups have completed would have a much larger audience and perhaps a more willing audience in the Mayor and the owner. Additional exposure may lead to offers by developers or funders, and there are organizations in place to address those requests. What specific ways can a person (or local preservationist) get involved to help save this place from the threat it faces? (150 words) A diverse group has been formed and growing with support from established regional organizations. Participation as already included pro bono legal work by local lawyers, developers contacting the owners, pro bono tax credit analyses, architects drawing site plans, historic research and writing, photography and videos of the site and rallies, as well as, the lessinvolved; sign an online petition, call the Mayor, call the owner, support us in court, paint signs and show up at rallies, change your Facebook images and comment and share our online information. There is no shortage of education or advocacy tactics by this hardworking group that includes preservationists, photographers, activists, past steel workers and their relatives, and past Lackawanna electeds; all are welcome and encouraged to participate. Please see our attached image of a rally that includes three generations of residents, and Mary Horowitz reading her letter to The Buffalo News editor urging the building be reused as a place to honor the memory of the tens of thousands of Bethlehem Steel workers, like her father, and like my great-grandfather, and so many others that built America.

Photos

Rally, November 18, 2012; Photo by Dana Saylor.

Demolition, January 24, 2013; Photo by David Torke.