The recent installation of a special marker recognizing the uniqueness of the KodaVista community begs the question: How did a small neighborhood in southeastern Greece receive such a recognition?
In 2015, Gina DiBella, then volunteer chair of the Greece Historic Preservation Commission, informed community members that KodaVista might be eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. A “cultural resource survey” was needed to make that determination. On behalf of the Historic Preservation Commission, Gina successfully applied for a grant from the Preservation League of New York State. A consultant was eventually hired by the town to conduct research about the neighborhood and write the survey. In addition to primary source documents, the consultant also spoke with current residents. Unfortunately, the Greece Historic Preservation Commission was not allowed to assist with the survey and was eventually dissolved by the town.
The KodaVista Community Association, founded by neighbors in 1928, fully supported the project and tried to be patient as the town administration took over the process. Once the survey was completed and a National Register nomination was written by Preservation Studios of Buffalo, Gina worked behind-the-scenes to move the nomination forward. Her contacts at the New York State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) in Albany visited the neighborhood to learn about the unique origins of the subdivision. She helped neighbors understand more about the nomination and traveled to Albany when it was reviewed by the New York State Board for Historic Preservation. The New York SHPO and Preservation Review Board approved the nomination in June 2019 and sent it to the National Park Service in Washington, D.C., which approved it for listing later that summer.
KodaVista is the first neighborhood in Greece to be listed as a National Register Historic District. One of the benefits of being listed in the National Register is that homeowners of properties that contribute to the District can take advantage of the New York State Historic Homeownership Rehabilitation Credit and receive 20% back on their New York State income tax on qualifying rehabilitation expenses. To find out more information about this program, visit: https://parks.ny.gov/shpo/tax-credit-programs/.
The impressive plaque at the entrance to KodaVista on Hoover Drive was paid for by the William G. Pomeroy Foundation, a private funder. William Pomeroy, founder of the organization, encourages curiosity about and enthusiasm for local history. Town historian Keith Suhr applied to the Pomeroy Foundation for the funds to purchase the marker. It was installed by the town in July 2021. The neighborhood is grateful to the Pomeroy Foundation for providing the funds for the marker. It was a six-year process, and residents are indebted to all those who treasure and work to preserve those elements from our past that inform our present.
The Town of Greece has many more areas, neighborhoods and properties with interesting stories and connections. Some already are listed or may be eligible for listing in the National Register. To learn more about Greece’s history, visit the town historian’s office in the Greece Public Library (2 Vince Tofany Boulevard) or the Greece Historical Society (595 Long Pond Road). The Greece Historical Society operates an excellent museum full of interesting exhibits about our town’s history and regularly offers programs on a broad variety of topics. Check out its website for more information (http://greecehistoricalsociety.org/).
In 2022, the Town of Greece will mark the 200th anniversary of its founding. Both the town and the Greece Historical Society are planning activities to commemorate this milestone. Watch for details!
Submitted by Jane Grant, KodaVista Community Association
