The SAGE building is owned by New York State Department of Transportation. However, as a part of Stewart International Airport, Newburgh NY, it is leased to National Express Group, the private transportation company currently operating this privatized airport.

Stewart Airport, while initially favorable to the establishment of a museum in the SAGE building, is now in the process of developing a new Master Plan. As currently configured, this plan calls for the demolition of the SAGE building.

The SAGE building should be preserved as a museum of the Cold War.  In and of itself it stands as a powerful reminder of that grim time.

Just as it is unthinkable that Washington's Headquarters, along the Hudson River in Newburgh, could be torn down, so we believe that the SAGE building is an equally significant part of our regional and national history.

The public is largely unaware of the existence of this historically significant building here in our back yard. Cold War air defense wasn't much talked about, but what happened here was an integral part of our national security plan. Even today there is a large contingent of Americans, both local and widespread, who spent much of their working careers on this project. They were soldiers, airmen, engineers, construction workers, secretaries and others.

Today, they remain an important part of our community. They are anxious that their contribution not be forgotten. Already there exists an extensive web presence which they have established. The physical preservation of the SAGE building is the next step in honoring their story.

In 2004 we were instrumental in bringing representatives of the New York State Historic Preservation Office to view the building. They reported as follows:

"I would like to stress the obvious: the SAGE building is a distinctive resource which provides salient ties to the Cold War era and one which the SHPO concludes is clearly eligible for State and National Register designation."

It is our belief that "National Registry" designation will make it impossible for the Airport to tear down the SAGE building. It is our hope that the Airport will enter into negotiations with us, (as they have done before) with an aim to establishing a museum within the SAGE building.

It is our hope that the aiport's master plan will incorporate preservation of the SAGE building and that work on the establishment of a museum within that building will proceeds soon as possible.