Present: Jack Alvarez, Matthew Bronski, Christina Contis, Marilyn Fennelosa, Mel Fortson, Jack Glassman, David Hart, David Kelman, Julie Klump, David Kolman, Kimberly Konrad, Laura MacKowiack, Doug Manley, Colleen Meagher, Henry Moss, Albert Rex, Deborah Robinson, Brian Roche, Susan Schur, Malcolm Smiley, Robert Spencer, Robert Thomas, Erin Tobin, Rita Walsh, Sara Wermiel, and Gary Wolf 1. Historic Landscapes: a. Gary Hilderbrand's presentation of Dan Kiley's Miller Garden last month ignited a new interest in landscape designs of the Modern Movement among some of our members. David Hart noted that APT had maintained a continuing interest in historic landscapes over the years. Others noted that the Mass Department of Environmental Management (DEM) continues to run a grants program for historic landscapes (administered by Joanna Doherty). Two years ago, MHC awarded a large Massachusetts Preservation Project Fund grant to the Mass Horticultural Society for the wholesale restoration of the Italianate Garden at Elm Bank by Marion Pressley and Bob Neiley. 2. Vernacular Re-siding: The Shingle That Defies the Blowtorch! Just before her departure from Boston to Brooklyn, Erin Tobin presented her ideas and research material on vernacular re-siding. Using images from manufacturer's advertisements and catalogs, Erin traced the development of re-siding systems from their start in the period of the Arts and Crafts Movement as affordable shingle replacements and fire-safety improvements for the roofs of barns and farm outbuildings. Unlike our discussion earlier this year about the loss of detail and the complexity of many historic paint schemes to the limited palette of vinyl re-siding, Erin's approach has been to identify the background for development and application of asphalt and asbestos cement shingles with an accepting eye. Colonial Williamsburg once used asbestos cement shingles. Early colors for these products attempted to match the hues and tones of slates and clay tiles. There were also early attempts to match certain stones and painted clapboard. Erin supplemented her images taken from the Avery Library's trade catalog collection and Sweets Catalog with photographs of houses around Boston, Cambridge, and Somerville that still show off their half-century-old re-siding. Erin noted that some manufacturers sold large insulated panels in "brick upgrade" patterns that have lasted particularly well compared to some of the asphalt siding shingle patterns. Jack Glassman steered the discussion to physical preservation challenges, such as finding matching replacement materials, dealing with surface degradation, pigment loss, chalking, and fading. Erin's refreshing take on this subject revealed large remaining collections of urban housing in which vivid patterns and colors are juxtaposed. Gradually, these are being toned down with new vinyl siding or painted clapboard and shingle restoration where gentrification is expunging reminders of lively, working class streetscapes. [Should we approach the Cambridge Historic Commission about establishing a multiple resource district to protect one of their splendid ensembles of multi-family houses in different re-siding arrays?!] 3. Boston Preservation Alliance Activities: a. Chestnut Hill Waterworks - Albert Rex, still reeling from a public meeting the night before, explained the general direction of the redevelopment proposals for the Chestnut Hill Waterworks site. The Boston Preservation Alliance organized a charrette with Historic Massachusetts that led to a design for new housing and hospitality uses at the end of the large site (7.9 acres) away from Arthur Vinal's 1889 High Service Building in an area where new construction can avoid underground water distribution pipes. Rehabilitation costs for the High Service Building and a new emergency pumping station dictate that an $11 M financial benefit be achieved as a result of the new development. Rezoning is required for the 75' tall building that allows the necessary square footage in a configuration that works with the site's constraints. The Mass Department of Capital Asset Management (DCAM) is the public agency that is overseeing the project. There have been eleven public meetings so far and there has been significant neighborhood opposition. Albert said the process has given him a new appreciation of the difficulties inherent in development projects where commercial and residential uses intersect and where expensive rehabilitation projects depend on the financial success of associated new construction. b. New Downtown Boston Interim Planning Overlay District (IPOD) - Under Kevin White's administration, the decision to keep the constraints of historic districts out of downtown Boston (but allow Local Landmarks) led to an IPOD that is managed by the BRA, which renews it annually with the Zoning Board of Appeals. The BRA's drive to bring more housing into the heart of Boston led to a proposed change that would allow redevelopment sites of a half acre with greater than 50% residential content to be built up to 350' high with a 10,000 sf limit on floorplates above 150'. Development pressure at the St. Anthony's Shrine site has focused attention on the possible effects of this proposed change. The BRA and the BLC are evaluating the likely effects, and the IPOD may be altered as a result of this further study. The City has hired Pam McDermott's firm to take the new IPOD proposal to groups that could be affected for their comments. Kim Konrad pointed out that her Fenway experience has made her more vigilant because these rezoning proposals seem often to be project driven, and residents' needs that are in opposition may be ignored. c. The Modern Theater - This tiny Washington Street theater was an early venue for motion pictures in Boston. The large, unoccupied timber-framed building behind its marble, pedimented entrance façade has deteriorated drastically over the years due to water penetration through perished roofs. Now, the façade itself is threatened. Structural studies by Simpson Gumpertz and Heger and their interaction with preservation agencies seem to have resulted in the decision to carefully dismantle the façade and store it for re-erection in the future. 4. Frances McCormack Stone: Bob Spencer represents this large Irish stone company, which supplies material from its own limestone quarries and other stone sources in Europe. They are suppliers of both building and paving stone at prices sufficiently competitive with less distant sources to have selected for large projects in the U.S. A large stone paving project near the World Trade Center towers was interrupted by their collapse in September. The firm's showroom is located in Charlestown. Spring Historic Resources Committee Party: Mark your calendars! for June 19 from 6:00 to 8:00 at the Old State House. The Historic Resources Committee is throwing a party for current and erstwhile members and friends, to celebrate the professional achievements of one of our founders, Bob Neiley. A bonus: you can tour the Bostonian Society's current exhibition, "Where in the World Does Boston Come From?," which presents the ideas from around the world that have shaped Boston's architecture. Sara Wermiel is orchestrating the event. Because it is catered (with wine and beer), we are asking those who plan to join to let us know soon (contact the BSA, so we can get a head count). We are asking for a $10 contribution to help support the Committee's activities. May Meeting The next meeting will focus on Chapter 34 of the Massachusetts State Building Code. The BSA Codes Committee is studying possible improvements in this section now and has asked for our thoughts. Thursday, May 9, 2002, 8: 00 a.m. The Architects' Building, 52 Broad Street - Fifth Floor, Boston
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