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NYS gives a temporary reprieve to those trying to save Parrott Hall in Geneva

Parrott Hall
Greg Cotterill
/
WEOS - Finger Lakes Public Radio
Parrott Hall

There may be a glimmer of hope in the effort by preservationists to keep an historic building in Geneva from being torn down.

The landmark building is called Parrott Hall, and it was built in 1852. It was purchased by the state to establish the Agricultural Experiment Station.

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation took ownership in 1975 to create a state historic site.

But the state was expected to start work on demolishing the building, because the structure is badly deteriorated

In a statement from the parks department, officials say that while they do feel the most prudent course of action is to demolish Parrott Hall, and put up a new public pocket park that would include interpretive features, they are temporarily postponing demolition.

State officials say they want to give advocates who want to keep the building another chance to consider whether they want to take on responsibility for the site.

The state says for that to happen, the preservationists must show they can raise the money quickly to remediate and stabilize the building in the short term and also come up with a viable longer term plan that redevelops and re-purposes Parrott Hall so that it contributes to the Cornell campus and community. 

Randy Gorbman is WXXI's director of news and public affairs. Randy manages the day-to-day operations of WXXI News on radio, television, and online.