Ravena, New York

For the Italian city, see Ravenna.

See also: Ravana

Ravena
Village
Nickname:  The Friendship Community [1]
Location in Albany County and the state of New York.
Ravena Show map of New York Ravena Show map of the United States
Coordinates: 42°28′35″N73°48′51″W / 42.47639°N 73.81417°W / 42.47639; -73.81417 Coordinates: 42°28′35″N73°48′51″W / 42.47639°N 73.81417°W / 42.47639; -73.81417
Country	United States
State	New York
County	Albany
Town	Coeymans
Incorporated	1914
Government
• Mayor	William Misuraca
• Deputy Mayor	Nancy J. Warner [2]
• Trustees	William Bailey Joel Coye Nancy Warner
• Fire Department Chief	Travis Witbeck
• Building Department Supervisor	Joeseph Burns
Area [3]
• Total	1.47 sq mi (3.82 km2)
• Land	1.47 sq mi (3.80 km2)
• Water	0.01 sq mi (0.01 km2)
Elevation	230 ft (70 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	3,271
• Density	2,228.20/sq mi (860.33/km2)
Time zone	UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code	12143
Area code	518
FIPS code	36-60675
GNIS feature ID	0962229
Website	http://www.villageofravena.com

Ravena is a village in Albany County, New York, United States. The population was 3,271 in the 2020 census an increase of 3 over the 2010 census. ^[4] The village is in the southeast part of the town of Coeymans.

History

The village of Ravena incorporated in 1914. Prior to its incorporation, it was known as "Coeymans Junction," but the name was changed to "Ravena" to avoid confusion with another hamlet in the town, "Coeymans Landing." ^[1]

In 1894, a post office was established in Coeymans Junction bearing the name Ravena. The name source of the post office (and ultimately the village) is unclear. Some believe that the village's proximity to cliffs on its western boundary lent to the area being referred to as the ravine. Others feel that a brand of flour, Raven, was the inspiration behind the name. ^[1]

The Israel Shear House was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1996. ^[5]

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1920	2,093		—
1930	1,963		−6.2%
1940	1,810		−7.8%
1950	2,006		10.8%
1960	2,410		20.1%
1970	2,797		16.1%
1980	3,091		10.5%
1990	3,547		14.8%
2000	3,369		−5.0%
2010	3,268		−3.0%
2020	3,271		0.1%
U.S. Decennial Census [6]

According to the 2000 U.S. Census, ^[7] there were 3,369 people, 1,380 households, and 892 families residing in the village. The population density was 2,515.7 people per square mile (970.7/km²). There were 1,487 housing units at an average density of 1,110.4 per square mile (428.5/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 92.82% White, 2.91% African American, 0.27% Native American, 0.65% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.98% from other races, and 2.34% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.16% of the population.

There were 1,380 households, out of which 33.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.3% were married couples living together, 13.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.3% were non-families. 29.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 2.99.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 25.7% under the age of 18, 8.3% from 18 to 24, 31.3% from 25 to 44, 20.7% from 45 to 64, and 14.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.9 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $42,875 and the median income for a family was $54,875. Males had a median income of $40,351 versus $26,865 for females. The per capita income for the village was $20,145. About 8.4% of families and 8.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.3% of those under age 18 and 5.4% of those age 65 or over.

Education

The village of Ravena contains Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk High School and Middle School, as well as Pieter B. Coeymans Elementary School in the Hamlet of Coeymans, one of two elementary schools in the district. The second elementary school, A.W. Becker Elementary, is located in the hamlet of Selkirk in the town of Bethlehem.

In addition to formal schooling, educational and entertainment information is available at the RCS Community Library ^[8] which is located at 95 Main Street in the village of Ravena. The library serves the residents of the Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk Central School District in southeastern Albany County, New York State and is a part of the Upper Hudson Library System. ^[9] The library also provides in-house use of computers, photocopy and fax services to the public.

Commerce and industry

Cement plant

The village of Ravena is home to a Lafarge Cement Plant. The plant was originally Atlantic Cement, but was bought out in the early 2000s. ^[10] On July 11, 2008, the Albany Times Union reported that Lafarge's Ravena plant "was the greatest source of mercury emissions in New York from 2004 to 2006". ^[11] According to the story, plans have been made to upgrade the plant to reduce the mercury emissions. A second story, published the following day, stated that the factory had emitted 400 pounds (181 kg) of mercury annually from 2004 to 2006. ^[12]

As of 2016, Lafarge is completing a $300 million upgrade to its Ravena plant that includes a new dry-process cement kiln that will replace two 50-year-old wet-process kilns. The new kiln will use less coal and emit fewer pollutants, including a 66% reduction in mercury emissions, while increasing production capacity. It will also take less water from the Hudson River, getting most of its water from the nearby limestone quarry that feeds the plant. ^[13]

Faith Plaza

Faith Plaza is the local shopping center in Ravena. The plaza used to house a movieplex and arcade which were converted into a strip mall. The origins of the former Plaza Del Sol was an A&P grocery store. In the late 2004 Grand Union left Faith Plaza and was replaced by a Best Yet Market. Best Yet Market left in late 2005 and the store was remodeled and opened again in the spring of 2006 as Ravena Shop 'n Save (supplied by Hannaford). Faith Plaza also holds a CVS/pharmacy, National Bank of Coxsackie, as well as other various shops and restaurants.

Media

The News-Herald is Ravena's main newspaper, published weekly, which has designation for publication of legal notices. ^[14]

Recreation

Mosher Park is Ravena's main outdoor recreational area. It contains facilities for baseball, football, swimming, tennis, basketball, and picnics, with a skateboard park currently under development, though as of 2021 the skatepark has yet to be built. ^{[15] [16] [17] [18] [19]} Mosher Park was named after Dr. Mosher, a Ravena-based General Practitioner from the 1950s through 1980s. The pool and tennis complex at Mosher replaced the Ravena Pool in the early 1970s.

Law Enforcement

Police protection is provided by the Coeymans Police Department. The Ravena Police Department was merged with the Coeymans Police Department to improve efficiency. Eventually, it was determined to close the Ravena Police Department by referendum, at which point the Coeymans Police Department became the sole law enforcement agency for both the Village of Ravena and Town of Coeymans.

Emergency Medical Services

Emergency Medical Services (EMS) are provided by the Ravena Rescue Squad. The Ravena Rescue Squad, formerly known as the Ravena Hose Company Rescue Squad, is a career agency. Formerly, the Ravena Rescue Squad was a volunteer agency, but due to lack of membership, it was decided by its board of directors to hire paid Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT). Currently, there are two (2) EMT's on duty at all times. The Rescue Squad runs out of the EMS station on Bruno Boulevard in Ravena.

Fire and Emergency Services

Fire protection is provided to the Village of Ravena by the Ravena Fire Department. The Ravena Fire Department is a 100% volunteer organization. Along with fire protection, the Ravena Fire Department provides the residents of Ravena technical rescue services including vehicle extrication and technical rescue capabilities. Firefighters from the Ravena Fire Department are also trained to deal with certain levels of Hazardous Materials. Some Emergency Medical Services (EMS) are also provided by the fire department when the Ravena Rescue Squad is unable to respond due to being dedicated at other incidents.

References

1. "History". Village of Ravena. Archived from the original on 2009-06-19. Retrieved 2009-05-28.
2. "Officials, Village Boards". Archived from the original on 2021-08-03. Retrieved 2021-07-15.
3. "ArcGIS REST Services Directory". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
4. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved 2008-01-31.
5. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places . National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
6. 2020 Census, Ravena village, US Census Bureau
7. "U.S. Census Bureau Webpage, 2000 Census Data for Ravena, New York". Archived from the original on 2020-02-12. Retrieved 2007-08-26.
8. RCS Community Library
9. Upper Hudson Library System members
10. "LafargeHolcim denies plans to cofire waste at Ravena". World Cement. 2018-01-12. Retrieved 2018-02-24.
11. "Update at Ravena Cement Plant to Clean Air". Albany Times Union. Retrieved 2008-07-29.^{[ dead link ]}
12. "Update at Ravena Cement Plant to Clean Air". Albany Times Union. Retrieved 2008-07-29.
13. "New, less-polluting cement plant rises in Ravena". 3 December 2015.
14. Office of the Albany County Clerk Newspapers Designated for Publication of Legal Notices webpage Archived 2007-09-29 at the Wayback Machine
15. Village of Ravena Mosher Park Complex Website Archived 2007-09-27 at the Wayback Machine
16. "In Bob We Trust", Metroland, Vol. 28, No. 20, May 19, 2005.
17. Town of Coeymans, Town Board Meeting Minutes, July 7, 2004. Archived September 28, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
18. Town of Coeymans, Town Board Meeting Minutes, February 14, 2005 Archived September 28, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
19. Town of Coeymans, Comprehensive Plan Draft, May 24, 2006 Archived April 11, 2008, at the Wayback Machine

External links

• Village of Ravena official website