Historic preservation officials in Syracuse have put a potential roadblock in the way of a Syracuse University plan to build a new residence hall. The Landmark Preservation Board voted Thursday to recommend the building at 727 Comstock Ave be designated a locally protected site.
Sites are deemed historically significant if they are architecturally unique, are tied to a prominent person or reflect an important part of the area's past. The former mansion was built in 1905 by noted attorney Charles Estabrook who was part of renowned local legal firm Hancock and Estabrook.
The building, adjacent to other fraternity houses, was last used for that purpose in 2007. SU is planning to build a residence hall on vacant land on Ostrom Ave that backs up to the Comstock property, which it wanted to demolish.
The City Planning Commission could take up the measure at its next meeting July 8th. The university is expected to present preliminary plans for the project then.
