"It was my first time in the building and by the time I left I was more excited than I anticipated I would be. The potential for that space is amazing. This marks a great opportunity to start the final push to preserve this historic building," she said.
Jim Thew, who has been a officer on the Clark House Preservation Committee for much of the past decade, said over $300,000 - approximately $218,000 was from private donations and in-kind services - has been raised since the non-profit purchased the old inn.
The structure had been abandoned for several years, and debris was starting to fall from the brick structure, creating a public safety hazard that had led village officials to announce plans to demolish the historic building.
Since taking over the structure, the windows have been replaced, foundation work has been done, improvements have been made to the back of the building and a steel support structure was installed stretching from the basement to the second floor to stabilize the building.
The Clark House, opening in 1835 was the first hotel built in Waddington, but the wooden structure was later destroyed. The current brick building was rebuilt on the original site circa 1883.
The Clark House Preservation Committee envisioned mixing retail space with nine guest rooms, four affordable apartments for senior citizens, a kitchen, a dining room and a conference room in the three-story structure.
Mr. Thew said progress on renovating the structure had slowed in recent years, but enthusiasm for the project has picked back up over the past several months.
He said the vision for the building has changed as the community has embraced efforts to create an artists' cooperative in Waddington. Six artists are currently working out of temporary space next to the Clark House.
The new plan calls for a gallery and artists' studios to be located on the first floor of the Clark House, additional studios on the second floor and housing on the third floor.
Mr. Thew, the principal and owner of Thew Associates, a land surveying firm that does business throughout the Northeast, said the next phase of the project could likely be completed with a few hundred thousand dollars of additional funding.
"We're trying to integrate art with our fishing tournaments. We've got to become a year round destination," he stressed.
He said the immediate concern is replacing a leaking roof. "We need to redeck the whole roof. That is probably going to cost between $30,000 and $50,000," Mr. Thew told Assemblywoman Russell.
He said the goal is to have the building ready to host pop up vendors on the first floor of the Clark House between Dec. 1 and Dec. 23 during an effort to transform Waddington's Main Street into a festive holiday hub of shopping, dining, holiday attractions and events.
Mr. Thew said the Christmas in Waddington event has space for 60 plus pop up merchants to set up shop and sell their products. He noted the goal is attract artisans, artists, designers, retailers and agribusiness owners to take part in the holiday event. It will also provide an opportunity for shoppers to get a first hand look at the work that has been completed to date on the interior of the historic building.
Mr. Thew said he and Mark Scott enjoyed the opportunity to escort Assemblywoman Russell through the Clark House.
"It was readily apparent Addie has a passion for the preservation of historic structures and has an understanding of how the arts can transform a community," according to Mr. Thew.
"Assemblywoman Russell's commitment of $125,000 will serve as the catalyst to raise the additional funds required to complete the next phase of the preservation project and continue our efforts to transform Waddington into an artisan destination and a cultural center for the arts," he added.
"The funding coupled with additional grants, donations, and in-kind services will allow the Clark House to become operational once again," Mr. Thew said.
Assemblywoman Russell said it was clear the Waddington group was headed in the right direction as the North Country works to grow its tourism industry.
"Waddington has done a great job attracting fishermen from around the world, and now it is clear this group has a strong vision to build on that by attracting artists to a community where they will receive strong support," she said.
IN THE PHOTO:
TOP PHOTO:
Jim Thew, right, and Mark Scott, center, discuss plans for the restoration of the Clark House with Assemblywoman Addie Jenne Russell.
BOTTOM PHOTOS:
Jim Thew tells Assemblywoman Addie Jenne Russell about the history of the Clark House on Waddington's Main Street. The building dates back to the late 19th Century.
Assemblywoman Addie Jenne Russell examines artwork at The Gallery at Lake St. Lawrence Arts during a stop in Waddington. Mark Scott talked about the works on display at The Gallery before Mr. Scott and Jim Thew led Assemblywoman Russell on a tour of the Clark House.
Clark House
IN THE PHOTO:
TOP PHOTO:
Jim Thew, right, and Mark Scott, center, discuss plans for the restoration of the Clark House with Assemblywoman Addie Jenne Russell.
BOTTOM PHOTOS:
Jim Thew tells Assemblywoman Addie Jenne Russell about the history of the Clark House on Waddington's Main Street. The building dates back to the late 19th Century.
Assemblywoman Addie Jenne Russell examines artwork at The Gallery at Lake St. Lawrence Arts during a stop in Waddington. Mark Scott talked about the works on display at The Gallery before Mr. Scott and Jim Thew led Assemblywoman Russell on a tour of the Clark House.
Clark House
