Commission approves historically accurate storefront restoration at 376–378 Broadway

Commissioners approved a certificate of appropriateness for a historically accurate storefront restoration at 376–378 Broadway in the Downtown Albany Historic District.

Neil Negribi, owner of Negribi ProLab and ProPress, presented the application and historical photographs that guided the design. Negribi said he found an archival photograph of the building’s original storefront and that he received a matching grant to fund the restoration. He described plans for traditional wood framing, wood panel bulkheads, a single recessed entry and three large display windows with divided transoms, and for restoring the second‑floor iron railing as a decorative element.

The restoration plan calls for repairing and rehanging original wood windows upstairs where possible and replacing the ground‑floor storefront with a finely crafted replica of the historic wood storefront. Negribi told the commission he has occupied the property for decades and that the project received positive local feedback and pro bono support from local preservation architect John G. Waite for drawings and measurements.

A motion to approve the certificate of appropriateness was made and seconded. Commission discussion was supportive and brief; Commissioner Marilyn (last name not specified in the record) said the proposal was “very exciting.” The commission voted to approve the certificate. One commissioner had recused themselves from this item before the presentation, as recorded at the start of the item.

The commission asked staff to coordinate any remaining administrative details with the property owner and to ensure the work follows the approved drawings and matching‑grant requirements. The owner said the building will host a public exhibit opening the night after the meeting and thanked the commission for its support.

No additional conditions or modifications to the design were recorded during the public discussion.