[MassHistPres] Demo by neglect of town owned building in a NRD

[Kathy Schofield]

Mendon is seeking grant money to help save the 1820 Seth Hastings Law Office in our Historic District but it was made clear to us that the building needs a purpose and preferably one that benefits the community. We worked to get grassroots support for the project and explained the importance of its role in our Historic District.
There are adaptive re-use opportunities such as affordable housing if the building could be modified to suit this purpose.
I would recommend contacting Mass Historic and exploring what grant s may be available for rehabilitation. Once we could demonstrate the grant opportunities and how the structure could benefit the community we gained the support we hoped for.
Could you find a private party to purchase it from the town and rehabilitate it? That is a long shot but depending on its location you might find someone. Architectural firms and other organizations with philanthropic  practices might understand the long range benefits of investing.
I hope there is an opportunity out there for you. We appreciate the challenges you are faced with and hope you find a solution.

Best,
Kathy Schofield
Mendon Historical Commission

P.S. Mike we are all rooting for the Farnum House to be saved and understand how important it is to save that structure.


From: MassHistPres <masshistpres-bounces at cs.umb.edu> on behalf of Mike Potaski via MassHistPres <masshistpres at cs.umb.edu>
Reply-To: Mike Potaski <mikepotaski at hotmail.com>
Date: Monday, March 13, 2023 at 8:58 AM
To: MHC MHC Listserve <masshistpres at cs.umb.edu>, J FORREST <forrestj100 at yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: [MassHistPres] Demo by neglect of town owned building in a NRD

In Uxbridge we are trying to save the circa 1760 John Farnum House (a recent historical survey showed it to be about 50 years younger than previously thought) Unfortunately, we are being opposed by the Capital Improvement Committee which controls the money.

Mike Potaski
Uxbridge Historical Society & Commission
________________________________
From: MassHistPres <masshistpres-bounces at cs.umb.edu> on behalf of J FORREST via MassHistPres <masshistpres at cs.umb.edu>
Sent: Tuesday, March 7, 2023 10:25 AM
To: MHC MHC Listserve <masshistpres at cs.umb.edu>
Subject: [MassHistPres] Demo by neglect of town owned building in a NRD

Good Day,

I am asking if anyone has had experience in trying to save a town owned building, that is being neglected so it can be torn down.  We have a DDB and the building is part of our only NRD.  I realize that the NRD doesn't prevent this.  I looking for a path to fight this, if possible.

Thanks, Janice

Janice Forrest, Secretary/Clerk
NEWBURY HISTORICAL COMMISSION
12 Kent Way
Byfield, MA 01922
historicalcomm at townofnewbury.org


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