Update on Kenwood / Sacred Heart Convent / Former Doane Stuart School
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At Historic Albany Foundation’s request, the City of Albany, namely Rick LaJoy, Director of the Department of Buildings and Regulatory Compliance, is overseeing the boarding up over 100 windows and 20 doors at Kenwood, Convent of the Sacred Heart campus on Southern Boulevard. The windows and doors were removed as part of a failed development project begun in 2018. It is imperative that this historic structure be buttoned up and not be exposed to the elements of another winter.
Sadly, even before that failed project, the campus has sat empty and deteriorating since the Doane Stuart School moved to Rensselear in 2009. HAF has worked with several developers over the years, however, none of those initiatives came to fruition.
A timeline of the past 13 years includes*:
2007
Doane Stuart School fails to reach an agreement to purchase the campus from the Sisters of the Sacred Heart
2009
Doane Stuart School relocates to Rensselaer
Michael Cleary makes offer then backs out
Property listed for sale again as developable land, notes the buildings could be demolished
2010
HAF lists on Endangered Historic Resources List, Preservation League of New York State list on Seven to Save
Michael Cleary makes offer again
2012
HAF hosts Davis Downing Symposium to draw attention to the architecture
2014
Mike Cleary attempts to put project together, sale does not go through
New York State Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation tours building as part of initial phases for listing the building on the National Register, process stops when developer walks away from the project;
2015
Hospitality developer from New Jersey and another developer attempt to put projects together, but come to nothing;
Sonny Bonacio attempts to purchase Kenwood, then withdraws his plans for a $30 million, 125 luxury apartment project
2016
An anonymous developer attempts to purchase Kenwood
2017
Kenwood Commons, LLC owned by CEO Sandy Schaefer purchases Kenwood for $18 million
2018
Kenwood Commons, LLC proposes to develop a $500 million massive project on the 75 acre property including 13 apartment buildings with 1,700+ apartments, two hotels totaling 575 rooms, six clusters of townhomes totaling 305 units, in addition to retail and public space that would include an art gallery and amphitheater.
Kenwood Commons sues the City of Albany in an Article 78 proceeding filed with the Supreme Court in Albany County challenging the need for Planning Board review of its building permit application.
2019
Kenwood Commons, LLC project stops work and walks away as the developer owes millions of dollars in loan debt, overdue taxes, and $600,000 in contractor services to at least 15 businesses. It is interesting to note that the project did not seek tax breaks through the Albany Industrial Development Agency, nor did it acquire historic tax credits, which left financing up to developers.
Lender begins foreclosure proceedings on $5 million loan to Kenwood Commons, LLC.
HAF meets with the City of Albany Planning Department to request Kenwood be listed as a local historic site. Unfortunately this request was not granted due to the condition that a property needs to be seen from a public road or street, and Kenwood is located on a private road.
Kenwood Commons listed for sale for $60 million amid back taxes and contractor liens
2020
The City of Albany boards up windows and doors left open to the elements by Kenwood Commons, LLC for a cost of $42,000, which will be added to the current outstanding tax bill of over $2 million.
We are grateful to the City for talking the first steps in protecting a true historic landmark within the City of Albany. We will do additional updates as activities warrant.
For additional information on the history of this important property, please visit, https://friendsofalbanyhistory.wordpress.com/2018/04/27/kenwood-and-the-convent-of-the-sacred-heart-in-albany/
*This may not be an exhaustive list of attempted buyers and projects
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