Ocwen Donates Historic House in Nyack, New York to Local Preservationist

NYACK, N.Y., Sept. 16, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- A small, historic village situated on the Hudson River will reclaim its oldest Dutch sandstone house following a complicated negotiation between Ocwen Loan Servicing LLC, a Division of Ocwen Financial Corporation, the trust they represent, and local activists who run a non-profit group, the John Green Preservation Coalition.

The 1817 house at 23 Main Street, just north of the Tappan Zee Bridge, has been donated to an historic preservation coalition, a nearly unprecedented transaction for a "zombie" house. Most zombie houses are donated to groups advocating for affordable housing. The dilapidated, long-abandoned, stucco-shrouded, fenced-in house has been an eyesore for more than a decade.

Its builder and original habitant, John Green, was an enterprising entrepreneur who put Nyack on the map by laying the foundation for the seaport and for Nyack Turnpike, the predecessor for Route 59. Ocwen acquired the house in lieu of foreclosure 18 months ago.

Underneath the stucco, which has encased the house for decades, is an architecturally-significant Dutch sandstone structure that represents a typical early 19^th-century village house. Though the inside, which had been carved up and severely neglected, needs to be gutted, preservation architects believe the exterior of the house can be saved and restored.

At a Sept. 15^th press conference, State Senator David Carlucci issued proclamations to both Ocwen and the John Green Preservation Coalition, citing this development as a truly historic deed. Members of the coalition, the mayor of Nyack, and representatives from the Town, County and State attended the packed event.

The coalition plans to restore and re-open the house as a visitors' center and cultural venue to coincide with the re-opening of the new Tappan Zee Bridge, which is also the 200^th anniversary of the house.

"The Tappan Zee Bridge has served as a gateway to Rockland County," said Rick Tannenbaum, president of the John Green Preservation Coalition. "Now the John Green house can serve as a gateway to Nyack. It needs to be protected, appreciated, and utilized."

"Ocwen is sympathetic to the objectives of the John Green Preservation Coalition with regard to the John Green House," said Jill Showell, Senior Vice President of Government and Community Relations at Ocwen. "Given the condition of the property and the importance of the John Green House to the historic Village of Nyack and the Preservation Coalition, donating the property was the right course of action.  We are pleased that the house will get the attention it deserves and be restored in a way that it can be enjoyed by the community."  

About John Green Preservation Coalition

The Corporation is organized and shall be operated exclusively for charitable purposes within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.  The Corporation is formed to provide for the acquisition, preservation, rehabilitation, restoration, maintenance, management and/or disposition of historic structures in and around Rockland County, NY and to provide information to the public regarding these structures, their histories and their preservation, all for the benefit of residents and visitors to Rockland County and New York State. For more information please view our website www.johngreencoalition.org

SOURCE John Green Preservation Coalition