Present: James Alexander FAIA, Bill Barry, Matthew Bronski, Susan Close, Sarah DiSano (PreservatiON Mass), Taya Dixon, Marilyn Fenollosa, Jack Glassman AIA, David Hart AIA, Randi Holland AIA, Lisa Howe, Jim Igoe (PreservatiON Mass), Wendall Kalsow AIA, Bob Kaye, David Kelman, Wayne King, Ellen Lipsey, Bill Mack, Ivan Myjer, Nathalie Pohlman, Albert Rex, Deborah Robinson AIA, Robert Saarnio, Susan Schur Hon. AIA, Malcolm Smiley AIA, Laurie Soave AIA, Eric Ward AIA, Henry Weinberg, Sara Wermiel 1. Ten Most Endangered Historic Resources/PreservatiON MASS: Sarah DiSano, Program Coordinator and Jim Igoe, Executive Director of PreservatiON Mass came to update us on the fate of buildings on the 2001 and 2002 lists in the organization’s Ten Most Endangered Historic Resources Program. This is the tenth year of the program and nominations for 2003 can still be made, until the deadline of August 1, 2003. For information and nomination form, go to http://www.preservationmass.org/10me.shtml. Jim made some opening comments about his organization’s work. In the first nine years of the TME program, over 100 properties have been listed; roughly half have been lost. Formerly called Historic Massachusetts, the group is aiming to be more involved in work to save the endangered properties. Jim believes that the group helped save Union Station in Worcester, which was on the first TME list. Under former HMI executive director Margaret Dyson, the group did much work on preserving schools; attention to this area declined when she left, but Jim has begun to revive interest in it. Sarah DiSano then discussed the status of properties listed on the TME program. 2001: 1. Town Hall Annex (Homer School), Belmont – Saved An issue is the cost of adapting for ADA compliance. Thought might be cheaper to demolish and rebuild than rehab, but the building is in a historic district. It was found that rehab would be less expensive to rehab and construction will start this year. 2. Historic State Hospitals: Northampton State Hospital (Old Main Building), Northampton –Lost Kirkbride Building, Danvers State Hospital, Danvers—Probably Lost This was a theme nomination, with the examples being the buildings listed above. Taya Dixon noted that for the main building at Northampton, Arrowstreet estimates the cost of rehab would be $358/sq.ft. while the usual cost for high-end condos in the area is $160/sq.ft., meaning that the building could not be reused economically. It is being demolished, but the dorms in the complex may be saved. The developer wants tax credits to do this but without the main building, it may not be possible to certify them as historic. With regard to Danvers, two reports found the Kirkbride building in danger of collapsing. Jim Alexander looked at the building a year and a half ago; then, the idea was to save 100,000 sq. ft. of the main building. But the rehab cost estimate of $271/sq. ft. is high, which suggests rehab may be uneconomic. 3. Gurney Road Bridge, Freetown – Status unknown Money is being sought to save this stone bridge. 4. Abijah Clark House, Hubbardston – Status unknown The property got a new owner in 2001 who wants to rehab it as residential and retail, but there are difficulties with the septic system and adequate parking. 5. Whalom Park, Lunenburg – Fading fast This old-time amusement park closed in 2000 and the owner have been selling off the rides. Save Whalom Park, a grassroots group, is trying to raise money to conserve the property, but the place is deteriorating. The ballroom burned in 2002. 6. Wm. Bartlett & Wm. Johnson Houses, Newburyport – Saved There is a plan to rehab these buildings, which includes rehabbing the two mansion as single-family residences and building 15 new units, 2 of which would be affordable. 7. Historic Diners of Massachusetts – Mixed Casey’s Diner, Natick, is the oldest in Massachusetts and is still in operation. Some diners have been lost, others are still hanging in. 8. Wendt House, Salem – Stalled A deal between the city and owner is stalled. 9. Former Universalist Church Building, Southbridge – Stalled The former church is owned by an individual who cannot maintain it, but MHC matching funds cannot be given to a private owner. The town wants to preserve the building. 10. Field House, Weston – Status unknown The house is for sale. The owners wanted to demolish it and sell the property as land only, but the house is still standing. 2002: 1. W. B. Plunkett Memorial Hospital, Adams – Saved The hospital closed in 1973 and has been mainly vacant ever since. But it has been sold to a developer who plans to rehab it. 2. Tappan House, Attleboro -- Status unknown This 1901 house was sold to Sturdy Memorial Hospital, which is adjacent to the hospital, in 1960 and has been used for offices. A couple years ago, the hospital sought to demolish it, claiming rehabilitation would be too expensive. Many in the community want to see it preserved. The hospital has offered to let someone purchase and move it. Its status is unknown. 3. Carlton Street Footbridge, Brookline – Looks good The bridge has been closed for 25 years because of inadequate maintenance and the community is divided on whether the bridge should be rehabbed or removed. It is a metal bridge and was not designed by Olmsted, but is considered as a contributing structure in the National Register nomination. The town has recently voted to support rehab of the bridge. 4. Vacant Buildings in Downtown Holyoke – Status unknown Holyoke is a poor city and has lots of problems, including disinvestment and a high vacancy rate, but it has many wonderful old buildings. Since the days of urban renewal, the city’s solution for vacant buildings has been demolition. The Mayor does not oppose preservation, but sees redevelopment in strictly economic terms. PreservatiON Mass has been trying to meet him. 5. Baker-Robinson Oil Works, New Bedford – Status unknown This 1847 building, part of a whale oil processing complex, is vacant. A NPS survey found it to be an important contributing structure to the history of the American whaling industry. The property on which the building sits is for sale. 6. St. Joseph’s Church, Roxbury – No progress The first Catholic church in Roxbury, St. Joseph’s is part of a complex that also includes a convent, rectory and grammar school. The complex is on the National Register. The Archdiocese slated the church for demolition. In June 2002, the roof partially collapsed. The BLC invoked a 90-day demolition delay, which expired October 22, 2002. The parishioners of St. Joseph’s are committed to finding a solution to save the church, including seeking additional protection through Boston Landmark designation, but the congregation is very small. The BLC is working with the Archdiocese on a structural report on the convent, school, and church. 7. Robie Industrial Complex, Wakefiled – No progress The only physical remains from the Wakefield Rattan Company and industrialist Cyrus Wakefield, for whom the town was named, are four brick structures in a former mill complex. Fire destroyed most of the town’s industrial buildings, and the town demolished the town hall donated by Wakefield and the Cyrus Wakefield Mansion 50 years ago. In December 2001 it was announced that Shaw’s Supermarkets planned to lease the mill complex site, raze all the buildings, and build a supermarket and parking lot. A demolition delay expired on December 25, 2002. Local groups are fighting to save the buildings, but the town wants to demolish it. For example, there was a small fire in one building and the Fire Chief condemned it. The area does not lack for Shaw’s markets. 8. East Brookfield Railroad Station, East Brookfield – No progress This Richardsonian Romanesque station is not on the National Register and is used for storage and deteriorating. Its owner, CSX, is negotiating to sell the building to the town. However, this stone structure would have to be moved 100’ back from the tracks. In short, preserving interesting and important old buildings is still an uphill battle in many cases. We’re glad PreservatiON Mass conducts the TME program and is working to save these structures. 2. Other business: APT-NE Tours, Buffalo: Lisa Howe of the APT Northeast Chapter has planned a weekend of amazing tours in Buffalo, June 21-22, including a tour of historic grain elevators, terra cotta manufacturing, and buildings designed by the holy trinity of Richardson, Sullivan, and Wright. Many of these sites would be difficult to get into on your own. More info. available on the HRC website: http://committees.architects.org/hrc/hrc_news.htm Albert Rex of Boston Preservation Alliance encouraged nominations for BPA’s awards program. The deadline, June 30, has passed, but the 25th anniversary party will be Sept. 17th. HRC’s awards committee, Eric Ward and Laurie Soave, encouraged nominations for the BSA HRC’s award. This award is aimed not at good design (although good design is important) but at owners and developers who took unexpected measures to save a structure. The idea is to give them a pat on the back. Ellen Lipsey, Executive Director of the Boston Landmarks Commission, announced that the BLC is seeking to hire a consulting architect. The BLC will issue an RFQ for candidates. The consultant would work 10-15 hours per week and must be a Massachusetts registered architect. And don’t forget the Lowell Folk Festival, July 25-27th in Lowell; music, crafts, and tasty food in a wonderful, old industrial setting. Textiles is a theme this year. Bring your drop spindle.
Sara Wermiel and Henry Moss, Heavy Timber and Slow-burning Frames July 10, 2003, Thursday, 8: 00 a.m. The Architects' Building, 52 Broad Street, 5th floor, Boston
Henry Moss AIA, Matthew Bronski, and Sara Wermiel, co-leaders and scribes
|