Chemicals in Flames:
The Charlestown Mall IN UTICA
By: Madeline Pittel And Lauren Ferguson
“If this were Austin or Atlanta then they would go through fiery hoops and walk on burning coal… but this is Utica”
On the border of Oneida County and Herkimer County, lies an abandoned lot that is bordered by a park (FT Proctor Park) and a small restaurant called Old School Bar & Grill. The remains of this site tell the story of its diverse use first as a gun manufacturer, then a computer factory and, most recently, a mall. After the mall was abandoned a fire in 2020 destroyed what was left of the Charlestown Mall. When in business, shoppers would come from all over the Tri-State area for discounted prices at name-brand stores. The story of the mall, as well as the space at large, recounts the history of Utica – a once booming and populated rust belt city that faded away as industries and residents moved away. Now all that is left is some metal foundations of the building that are being left to rust.
The site was reported to have large amounts of asbestos from the material it was constructed with and other harmful chemicals from its history as a gun manufacturer. During its time as a weapon’s manufacturer there was chemical runoff and the frequent improper disposal of waster materials. As a result, the site was considered a hazard by the EPA and subsequently named a brownfield site. The EPA cleared the remnants of the site to clean the area and begin a revitalization of the site. Brownfield sites are oftentimes less contaminated than Superfund sites (a contaminated site due to hazardous waste), but they still require redevelopment for future use. This site is one of the many brownfield sites to exist in cities that were once home to many factories in the 19th and 20th century. Redevelopment of these industrial sites can benefit a communities’ economy, create a more sustainable, less contaminated environment and promote community engagement through the new spaces created.
Our investigation into the Charlestown Mall was prompted by a visit to Hamilton College’s art Museum, The Wellin Museum of Art. Currently on display is an exhibition titled “Dialogues Across Disciplines” that celebrates the ten year anniversary of the museum. Within the show the diverse breadth of the Wellin’s collection is exhibited. From mixed media sculptures to photography, the exhibition highlights not just the range of the Wellin’s collection, but their intention to foster new perspectives through their collecting practices. While visiting the show, two photographs, one taken by Danny Lyon and the other by Berenice Abbott, invite consideration of architectural transformations of cities. While both the photographs are of Manhattan, their unique way of capturing transformation made us began to think about the cities and spaces around us. In particular, the city of Utica which when we started this project we knew relatively nothing about. Additionally, what both of the photographs show while have impacts on the community because their space is changing. Keeping this in mind, during our podcast we interviewed a community leader and a professor to understand how the site could be transformed in the future in a positive way for the community.
Image source: Wellin Museum
Danny Lyon, “A Reade Street Entrance to 187 West Street”
1967, Gelatin Silver Print.
From the series titled “The Destruction of Lower Manhattan.” Lyon captures more than just new structural developments, but the changing architectural fabric of downtown Manhattan. As the area transforms, the immigrants and other lower income communities that lived in the area were pushed out and the architecture reflects these changes. The boarded up store front seen here has a facade that recalls the early 20th century. It appears to have once been a flower shop as noted by the advertisement panel. The remaining worn exterior façade, coupled with the boarded up entrance captures transformation as it happens.
Berenice Abbott, “Con Edison Building”
1938, Gelatin Silver Print.
Captured by Abbott, this image photographed from below represents the construction of the new structure as looming and eerie. The sheer scale of the building is capitalized on from the low angle shot. Abbott who was living in Paris was struck on her return by all of the new skyscrapers filling the skyline of Manhattan and was inspired to try to capture the New York she knew before it was fully erased by new constructions. This photograph reflects how large corporations, like Con Edison, can take over a space and loom physically and symbolically over the residents.
Images source: Wellin Museum
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