Dec 3, 2025
The Barber Conable Award, the our most prestigious award for historic preservation, recognizes a large-scale rehabilitation of a historic building in our region completed within the past two years. This award was created to honor Congressman Barber Conable of Alexander, Genesee County, whose supported the establishment of the Federal Investment Tax Credit Program for the rehabilitation of historic, income-producing buildings.
At its opening in the first decade of the twentieth century, the Utz & Dunn Shoe Company's massive 168,000 square foot brick masonry plant was described as one of the most modern shoe factories in the country. With urban deindustrialization late in the century, the building became a warehouse, before falling into disuse in recent decades and appearing on The Landmark Society's 2020 Five to Revive list.
Thanks to an extensive rehabilitation project envisioned by new property-owner East House and shepherded by MM Development Advisors, however, 67-89 Canal Street, rechristened Canal Commons, is again enlivened and serving the community's needs. With the help of PLAN Architectural Studios and Hamilton Stern Construction, the building’s industrial spaces were converted into 123 apartment units affordable to households with incomes up to 60% of Area Median Income, including 70 units that receive supportive services through the New York State Office of Mental Health. East House provides these residents, who began to move into the building in 2024, with additional services including financial case management, education and employment counseling, peer support, life skills coaching, and social activities. Good public transportation options in the vicinity of the property are also a boon to the residents. Funding from the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance's Housing Assistance Program, subsidies from NYS Homes and Community Renewal, and NYS Low Income Housing Tax Credits are among the funding sources that made this project possible.