William G. Severino

Architect, LLC

Historical preservation in Jersey City to be lauded

The adaptive reuse of The Vito A. Lofts, 190 Christopher Columbus Drive, entailed "the sensitive exterior restoration of a circa-1870 Industrial Romanesque Revival warehouse along the former Railroad Avenue." Photo courtesy of the Jersey City Landmarks Conservancy.



Original Article in The Jersey Journal, 05/25/2016: BY Margaret Schmidt, The Jersey Journal

Tomorrow night's 16th annual Jersey City Landmarks Conservancy Preservation Awards ceremony will not only shine a spotlight on some beautiful restoration efforts in the city, but it will also pay tribute to a local legend who died last week.

Stanley Krause, the owner of the half-century-old Stan's Square Records and the founder of a record label, is this year's Jersey City Legend Award honoree.

Calling Krause a "Jersey City institution,'' the organization noted in materials prepared before Krause died Friday at age 74 that Krause made a significant contribution to the city's culture, history and identity.

"His West Bergen Avenue store, a time capsule offering rare vinyl, eight-track and cassette formats, is still operating and adorned with photos of famous musicians he knew,'' the JCLC noted earlier this month. "Stan is a walking encyclopedia of music and he continues to produce. He is a small business owner who knows, seemingly, everyone in Jersey City. He can spin yarns of a lost Jersey City, making the past relevant to the present day."

The awards ceremony, co-sponsored by the Friends of the Loew's, takes place from 6 to 9 p.m. tomorrow at the historic Landmark Loew's Jersey Theater on Journal Square.

Also being honored are:

* Excellence in Preservation Awards

Jennifer Brown and Joseph Licavoli, for the meticulous work done over many years on 103 Fairview Ave., a brightly colored turn-of-the-century wood-framed Victorian house in the newly established West Bergen-East Lincoln Historic District.

Titanic hero's family gathers to mark Jersey City grave
The descendants of seaman Robert J. Hopkins, who helped save more than 100 passengers on the Titanic, gathered at Holy Name Cemetery in Jersey City to dedicate a headstone finally placed at his grave.

Christopher Columbus Drive LLC for the adaptive reuse of The Vito A. Lofts, 190 Christopher Columbus Drive, entailing the sensitive exterior restoration of a circa-1870 Industrial Romanesque Revival warehouse along the former Railroad Avenue. The building's original brick fabric has been repointed across the entire front facade, rounded windows have been retained, and the intricate corbeling at the parapet level has been completely restored. Also recognizing: William Severino, architect of record, and Harry Seymour, general contractor.

Dixon Leasing for the creative and careful restoration of the carriage house at 237B Montgomery St. The original carriage door opening was restored with custom mahogany doors in keeping with the rest of the neighborhood's architectural features but also adding detail that might otherwise have gone unnoticed. Also recognizing: Nelson Benavides, architect of record, and Coastal Points Construction, general contractor.

Bryant Bradshaw for the sensitive restoration of 113 Erie St. Also recognizing Donahoe Brothers, general contractors.

* J. Owen Grundy History Award

Named after the city's late historian, this award recognizes work that chronicles the history of Jersey City and this year goes to Ron Semple, author of "Black Tom: Terror on the Hudson." The book relates the German effort to blow up the world's largest munitions depot -- Black Tom, in Jersey City -- and at the same time tells the stories of immigrant groups and ambitious politicians.

A former Jersey Journal and Hudson Dispatch reporter, Semple was inspired to write the book after seeing a plaque in Liberty State Park commemorating the Black Tom explosion, the centennial of which is in July.

* Preservation Initiative

The West Bergen-Lincoln Park Neighborhood Coalition, Charlene Burke, and the West Side Community Alliance, Jodi Drennan, for the coalition effort to create the West Bergen-East Lincoln Park Historic District.

* Theodore Conrad Preservationist Award

Named after the city's late influential preservationist, the award goes to the Coalition to Save Liberty State Park; Sam Pesin, president, Friends of Liberty State Park; and Greg Remaud, deputy director, NY/NJ Baykeeper.

The ceremony is part of JCLC's annual Preservation Month, which this year is sponsored by Lord Abbett; Dixon Leasing; Zakalak Restoration Arts; Hopkins Group; Panepinto Properties; Mack-Cali; Christie Engineering; and Building and Land Technology.

The ceremony's food and drink sponsors are: Komegashi; New Jersey Beer Company; and Monteleone Bakery.

Tickets are $35 and may be purchased through brownpapertickets.com or at the door.

William G. Severino

Architect, LLC

201-615-7001

info@severinoarchitect.com



. . . . . . . . . .
website design by sbsnet.com