January 13, 2002
AURORA’S HISTORIC DISAGREEMENT
Local group challenges plans to remodel historic village inn
By William Kates
AURORA, NY — Highlighting American history in a popular collection of period-perfect dolls and stories produced fame and fortune for Pleasant Rowland.
Now, some residents in this exceptionally preserved Finger Lakes village are accusing the millionaire businesswoman of joining with Wells College to use her money and prominence to thwart historical preservation and push through a character-altering renovation of the landmark Aurora Inn, the heart of village life for almost 170 years.
A coalition of nearly 70 village residents has legally challenged -- so far, unsuccessfully -- a development group led by the American Girl Doll creator, arguing that village officials violated local zoning and state environmental laws and ignored the advice of historic preservation specialists.
"We are not against progress. Everyone wants the inn to reopen," said Karen Hindenlang, a village resident, Wells College graduate and Aurora Coalition, Inc. board member.
"We want to see things done properly, though, with full consideration given to historic preservation issues," she said. “We were hoping — with her background — she would be more sensitive to the building’s historical significance.”
Also opposed to the renovations are the state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, the Preservation League of New York State and The National Trust for Historic Preservation, a private, nonprofit organization chartered by Congress in 1949 to oversee private historic preservation.
“To loose these buildings to demolition or inappropriate development would be a tragedy for the town and state,” said Marilyn Fenollosa, a regional attorney in The National Trust’s Boston office.
Meanwhile, village leaders and college officials say they can save the inn from rotting away if the coalition stops interfering.
"The project we are committed to is a wonderful project. We will stay the course. We are confident we will prevail," said Wells College spokeswoman Ann Rollo.
Village attorney Andrew Fusco maintains the village and college "did everything they were supposed to do and more" during a six month review.
Rowland is not a party to the lawsuit and has no comment on the dispute, said spokeswoman Katie Waller.
Aurora is on the eastern shore of Cayuga Lake, in the heart of upstate New York's Finger Lakes wine country. Wells College, an all-women's school founded by Wells Fargo founder Henry Wells, is the economic anchor for the village of 600.
The Aurora Inn is on the National Register of Historic Places, which includes more than 100 structures, according to Tania Werbizky of the Preservation League of New York State.
"This is one of the largest, most intact historic communities in the country," she said. "It is rare to see almost an entire village listed. The inn is at the heart of this district ... and we are concerned that the proposed changes will have a lasting impact."
The college-owned inn operated until fall 2000 when it was closed after a decade of financial troubles.
Built in 1833 by E.B. Morgan, co-founder of The New York Times, has been added to over the years, the three-story brick and wood inn has been added to repeatedly over the years but the original sections remain intact, including the distinctive central stairwell and the federal-style, front-to-back hallway.
Until now.
Rowland is a wealthy Wells alumna from Wisconsin who created the American Girl empire of historical dolls, books and accessories, which she sold in 1998 to Mattel Inc. for $700 million. Since then, she has been purchasing properties in Aurora, including two mansions and MacKenzie-Childs Ltd., an upscale pottery and home-furnishings business.
Earlier this year, Rowland and Wells College formed the Aurora Foundation to develop and operate commercial properties. The group's top priority was remodeling and reopening the inn.
The plans call for demolishing two later additions and replacing them with two balconies and a stepped terrace. Much of the current interior would be replaced.
Fusco said the planning board approved Rowland's plans despite the state's recommendations because the private foundation will pay for all the work. He said developers are "going to great lengths to preserve the historical qualities of the building."
In its decision, the planning board said that the buildings had structural problems that made them dangerous, had no present economic viability; and, "although they are old and we are used to them, they are not particularly rare or unique."
Richard Lord, the state's Historic Sites Restoration Coordinator, vehemently disagreed, describing the inn as "an extremely rare and intact surviving example of an early 19th century inn in New York State."
In a letter to Village Planning Board Chairwoman Nancy Gil, Lord said the foundation's description of work as interior restoration was "misleading." He said the proposal was for a "gut rehab" that would have "a significant and irreversible adverse impact on the historic district."
The coalition in September filed a lawsuit asking a judge to nullify the village permits alleging improper review and approval procedures.
"Two state agencies provided recommendations and guidance which appear to have been ignored by the village government," said coalition board member Pru Campbell Kirkpatrick, an Aurora native and Wells graduate.
Kirkpatrick said the inn could open right away if not "for this radical plan." The coalition believes the mechanical systems and decor could be upgraded quickly without destroying the building’s historic value.
Acting State Supreme Court Justice Robert Contiguglia ruled in early November the coalition's arguments were "without merit." In December, after the coalition failed to post a $250,000 indemnity bond, an appeals court lifted a temporary restraining order that had stopped the work.
Even though work has resumed, the coalition has appealed to the Appellate Division in Rochester. A hearing will be held after Feb. 19.
Return to Pleasant Page
Return to Home Page