Project Examples
Larson Fisher Associates

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SURVEY AND ASSESSMENT OF HISTORIC RESOURCES OF THE DELAWARE & HUDSON CANAL
Town of Mamakating, Sullivan County, New York

Team: Neil Larson and Jill Fisher (LFA)
Client: Town of Mamakating
Date: December 2001

This survey of a 15-mile corridor provided critical planning information for one of the Town's major assets--the D& H Canal. There was a general idea that something should be done to improve the resource, but a lack of information about its condition, land ownership, where trails could be extended, and the extent and significance of associated historic resources. The plan provided parcel-by-parcel data, suitable for integration with GIS programs, with photographic documentation of conditions and significance statements for the canal as a whole as well as for adjacent villages and hamlets. A recommendation section provided succinct direction for future improvements that galvanized the community into making the most of opportunities along the canal, including trail enhancement and interpretation.

 Contact: Kerron Barnes, Governmental Programs Coordinator, Town of Mamakating, 845-888-3046

PRESERVATION PLAN FOR SARATOGA SPRINGS
Saratoga Springs, Saratoga County, New York

Team: Jill Fisher & Neil Larson (LFA)
Client: City of Saratoga Springs,
Completion date: September 2001

A Plan for Historic Preservation in Saratoga Springs involved working with a 10-person citizen group and preparing a strategy for moving the City forward in its preservation goals. The first step was to invite the community to share its views on what the critical needs were and what actions might be considered. From this input, LFA helped develop a series of Goals, Objectives and Strategies that could guide the various City agencies and preservation organizations, such as the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation, in their efforts.

Over 125 action items were identified as ways to achieve these goals. Such a massive effort calls for a strategic approach, wherein the easiest and least costly actions are called out for immediate action, while more costly and complicated endeavors are slated for intermediate and long-term time frames. The Plan was adopted unanimously by the City Council of Saratoga Springs as a policy guide in November of 2001.

Contact: Geoff Bornemann, City Planner, City of Saratoga Springs, New York, 518-587-3550

HISTORIC PRESERVATION PLAN FOR TOWN OF SANDWICH
Sandwich, Barnstable County, Massachusetts

Team: Jill Fisher & Neil Larson (LFA)
Client: Town of Sandwich, Massachusetts
Completion date: September 2002

This preservation plan was a component that completed the Town's Comprehensive Plan in order that it could be certified by the Cape Cod Regional Planning Commission. In addition, the preservation plan needed to meet certain requirements of the Massachusetts Historical Commission. Like the plan for Saratoga Springs, New York (above), its development involved significant public input and participation by community stakeholders. Today the plan is being actively implemented and has provided support for innovative planning initiatives.

Contact: JoAnne Miller Buntich, Planner, Town of Sandwich, MA 508-833-8001

ASSESSMENT OF DEMOLITION DELAY ORDINANCE & SIGNIFICANCE OF POST-WORLD WAR II HOUSING Newton, Middlesex County, Massachusetts

Team: Jill Fisher & Neil Larson (LFA)
Client: City of Newton, Department of Planning
Date: June 2001

Newton, Massachusetts, an affluent first ring suburb of Boston was experiencing a dramatic increase in the number of demolition delay reviews being requested in recent years. There was speculation that it was due to the housing stock built during the post-WWII housing boom triggering the ordinance's 50-year review threshold. The project involved:

• Survey and develop evaluative context for domestic architecture and planning that meets or is approaching the 50-year standard of National Register eligibility

• Review city preservation and demolition ordinances and recommend amendments to address the issue of recent significance

The project was funded by grant from the Massachusetts Historical Commission.

Contact: Michael Steinitz, Massachusetts Historical Commission, 617-727-8470; Lara Kritzer, Preservation Planner, City of Newton, MA 617-552-7135

EXISTING CONDITION ASSESSMENTS OF HISTORIC FARMS AND FARM BUILDINGS
Duke Farms, Somerville, Somerset County, New Jersey

Team: Neil Larson and Jill Fisher (LFA)
Client: Betty Bird & Associates, Washington. D.C. for
The Conservation Fund, Arlington, VA
Date: 2001

Duke Farms was created by billionaire James Buchanan Duke in the 1890's as a country retreat and was expanded and elaborated by his daughter, Doris Duke during her lifetime. It is now operated by a foundation with plans to preserve the 3000-acre complex and open increasing amounts of its gardens, parkland and historic farms to the public. LFA, Inc. is producing a series of assessments of historic farms, most dating to the 18th century, incorporated into the Duke property. These have resulted in a number of historic documentation and existing condition reports on farmhouses, barns and landscapes.

Contact: Betty Bird, Betty Bird and Associates, Washington, D.C. 202-588-9033.

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