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Owner says Sears-kit garage in poor condition; HNLPB to seek salvage options
Summary
At a Greenburgh HNLPB meeting the owner of a Sears-kit garage said the structure is in rough shape but some lumber and frame elements might be reusable; the board agreed to explore salvage organizations and draft outreach to find a taker.
The Historic and Landmarks Preservation Board (HNLPB) discussed options for a Sears-kit garage on a private property after the owner told the board the structure is "in really rough shape" but that some structural members might be salvageable.
Mr. Clemmer, the property owner, told the board the garage "is in really rough shape" and that its siding and roof "are shot"; he said the building is roughly 22 by 26 feet, has rotted sills in places and "is not original to the house." He said the frame may have salvagable lumber but that the structure is not a pristine kit that can be unbolted and moved intact.
Board members emphasized that the HNLPB does not want materials that can be repurposed to be sent to a landfill. The chair suggested sending a letter to Mr. Clemmer asking whether he would consider landmarking the house and whether he would permit the board to help locate a salvage organization or buyer for the garage. Staff agreed to circulate a list of salvage companies and follow up with the owner in writing.
Why it matters: The garage represents a rare local example of catalog-built accessory structures that some neighborhood members want to preserve or repurpose. Finding a party to dismantle and reuse parts of the building would align with the board's conservation goals and reduce demolition waste.
Next steps: The board will research organizations that specialize in Sears-kit preservation, circulate salvage contacts to the owner and board members, and pursue outreach to identify an entity that could take and repurpose the structure if feasible. The owner offered to facilitate the transfer if someone steps forward.
