Boynton Beach Grapples with Future of Historic Andrews House Amid Relocation and Preservation Concerns

In a meeting of the Boynton Beach Historic Preservation Board, discussions centered on the fate of the historic Andrews House, with potential relocation sites, preservation challenges, and community concerns dominating the agenda. The board, alongside city officials and the public, deliberated on the logistical and financial implications of moving the house, with significant input on maintaining its historical integrity while ensuring its accessibility and utility within the community.

05:54The Andrews House relocation was the focal point of the meeting, with the board considering three potential sites. Furry Friends Park emerged as a primary contender, offering a spacious city-owned lot that would accommodate the house’s relocation. However, concerns regarding its passive park designation and compatible activities were raised. The second option, within a residential zone called Oceanside, faced challenges due to strict zoning regulations and fire safety requirements, mandating a minimum distance between structures that could necessitate costly upgrades to the house’s fire-rated walls. This site posed particular difficulties, with discussions about the feasibility of obtaining variances to address these logistical hurdles.

01:07:12Public sentiment strongly favored the second site due to its centrality and potential for integrating into the community’s historical landscape. One resident, Susan Oyer, opposed commercializing historic sites, arguing for preserving their integrity through less intensive uses. She advocated for the Andrews House to serve a community-oriented purpose, like a welcome center or light retail, rather than undergoing significant alterations for commercial endeavors. Oyer also highlighted the possibility of obtaining variances to address the fire safety concerns, emphasizing the city’s history of accommodating such adjustments.

01:16:30Financial considerations loomed large, with the board discussing estimates for the house’s relocation and associated site improvements, projected to range from $290,000 to $390,000. These figures underscored the need for thorough validation and future discussions, as emphasized by board members and the public.

44:00The meeting also addressed procedural transparency, with public comments scrutinizing the city’s handling of the Andrews House’s demolition permit. Concerns were raised about the board’s lack of prior information regarding the permit, prompting questions about the city’s communication practices. The discourse revealed apprehensions about the city potentially favoring demolition over relocation, with some residents describing the situation as “the fox guarding the hen house.”

35:45Amid these discussions, Tom Warkey, a community member with personal ties to the Andrews House, advocated for its preservation, highlighting its historical significance as “the oldest house in Boynton Beach.” He proposed relocating the house to Ocean Avenue, enhancing its visibility and public access, and recommended its repurposing for public use under the Community Redevelopment Agency’s ownership. Warkey’s suggestions resonated with the board’s broader goal of preserving the house as a community asset, rather than succumbing to commercial pressures.

In response to these community concerns and suggestions, motions were made and unanimously approved, urging the city commission to favor the second site for the house’s relocation, pursue its ownership, and repurpose it for public use. The board emphasized that these recommendations aimed to preserve the area’s historic character while fostering community involvement in future developments.

Note: This meeting summary was generated by AI, which can occasionally misspell names, misattribute actions, and state inaccuracies. This summary is intended to be a starting point and you should review the meeting record linked above before acting on anything you read. If we got something wrong, let us know. We’re working every day to improve our process in pursuit of universal local government transparency.

Receive debriefs about local meetings in your inbox weekly:

is discussed during:
in these locations: