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Preservation board reviews National Register nominations for Utica Mutual building and Boys Club; raises questions about architects and documentation
Summary
The Syracuse Preservation Board reviewed National Register nomination materials for two downtown buildings (Utica Mutual Insurance building and the Boys Club) and discussed architectural attribution, nomination facts and the tax-credit review process; the board expressed support but asked for factual clarifications.
The Syracuse Preservation Board reviewed National Register nomination materials for the Utica Mutual Insurance building (1956) and the Boys Club building (1922) during its February 2025 meeting and discussed architectural attributions, documentation and the implications for historic tax credits.
Board members and staff said both properties appear to meet National Register criteria cited in the nominations but identified factual questions in the draft materials and noted the State Historic Preservation Office and the National Park Service will make final determinations for tax-credit eligibility.
A staff reviewer explained the Utica Mutual building was built in 1956 and is being nominated under Criterion C for architecture; the Boys Club nomination cited Criterion A (social history) and Criterion C (architecture). The reviewer noted the Boys Club may be an uncommon non-religious example of Collegiate Gothic in the city and recommended both nominations proceed toward State review.
Several board members raised questions about specific attribution statements in the nomination. One board member questioned a line that credited King and King for Central High School work and suggested the earlier architect Archimedes Russell might be the correct attribution for that project-era claim. Board members discussed Melvin King, Russ King and the firm's different eras as context for the listings. A member also pointed out the nomination listed the Dawson Brothers as builder/contractor in both nominations, and members suggested that parallel contractor/architect relationships could be noted to strengthen the narrative.
The board discussed whether National Register designation for tax-credit purposes includes both interior and exterior features. Staff confirmed that, for the purposes of the tax-credit review by the State Historic Preservation Office and the National Park Service, interior and exterior elements are considered.
On balance the board indicated support for forwarding the nominations, with a member saying "Full support," and suggested staff incorporate clarifying historical details and correct architect attributions before the State review. The board did not take a public-lands action that would change local protections; the nominations instead move to the State for the historic-tax-credit determination.
