06:55A central discussion revolved around the Deval School project on Flint Street, spearheaded by a UMass Dartmouth professor and students who are developing proposals for rehabilitating the building. This initiative intends to explore various uses, including affordable housing and community services, leveraging historic tax credits due to the building’s listing on the National Register of Historic Places. The commission was briefed on the building’s architectural and historical significance, having been designed in 1892 by the Darling Firm. The project is still in the proposal phase, with a full presentation to the mayor’s office anticipated soon, where the commission’s attendance was encouraged.

17:08Another pressing matter concerned three ongoing projects related to historic tax credits, on Eastern Avenue, 66 Troy Street, and Globe Mills Avenue. The commission extended letters of support, crucial for the continuation of these projects. The Notre Dame Rectory project on Eastern Avenue, while recently auctioned, is expected to proceed with construction slated for June. Meanwhile, the 66 Troy Street project is nearing completion, with 60 to 70 percent of construction work finished. However, the 206 Globe Mills Avenue project remains on hold pending financing, further complicated by a past fire at the site, though details of the damage remain unclear.

18:14The commission also deliberated on projects at 80 to 84 North Main Street, the Dery property, 110 Chase Street, the Wyoming Mills, and Alden Street, the Flint Mills. These projects, supported by the Heritage Consulting Group, have received funding from the Community Preservation Committee, with demolition underway for the Dery property. However, a potential complication arose with the Wyoming Mills project due to expired demolition waivers, necessitating a new review process that could delay progress by six months.

30:08Efforts to expand the Highlands Local Historic District were also a focal point. Elizabeth Werbertton from the Public Archaeology Laboratory (PAL) presented on the Highlands district expansion, emphasizing the project’s significance given the area’s numerous architecturally and socially important properties. The commission plans to distribute updated survey forms to homeowners to refine district boundaries based on community feedback. The project coincides with the 10th anniversary of the city’s first local historic district.

36:08In addition to these projects, the commission addressed a city request for a letter of support for Community Preservation Act (CPA) grant funds amounting to $27,500. This grant would match funds for a feasibility and structural assessment of the Bank Street Armory. The commission recognized the importance of such a letter to bolster future preservation projects and swiftly moved to approve it.

The commission also strategized on enhancing homeowner engagement through a second round of surveys in historically significant neighborhoods. These surveys, set to be distributed using Google forms with QR codes, aim to improve upon previous efforts that used paper forms. The initiative seeks to gather immediate feedback from homeowners, highlighting differences between local and nationally registered historic districts and providing links to design guidelines. A kickoff meeting with the Preservation Society is planned to discuss the survey progress and property interests.