Historical Commission Minutes
September 16th 2015
City Hall Annex- 4th Floor conference Room
6:30
Subject: Public hearing for the demolition of 023-01-017 Lyman St.
Present:
Olivia Mausel, James Sheehan, Frances Welson, Joe Paul, Intiya Isaza-Figueroa, Alexandra Puffer, Associates: Daniel Fitzgerald, Paola Ferrario,
Others: James Curran, Daphne Board, Susan Van Pelt, Glenn Sullivan, Steven Bosco, Mr. Gallivan
The Historical Assessment packet on the property was distributed and entered into the minutes of the meeting. As were interior pictures of the existing conditions of the building taken when several commissioners toured the property. Mr. Curran showed the building on two occasions.
Chairperson Olivia Mausel opened the public hearing on the 30th day from the formal request.
Mr. Curran, owned of the Wherehouse and 109 Lyman St. stated that:
He had purchased the 109 building six months prior with the sole purpose to demolishing it. The building has a hole in the roof. The building is too expensive to fix for elevated parking. He wants build a parking lot on the ground of the Hampden Mill since his banquet hall’s (The Wherehouse?) business is suffering from lack of immediate parking. He usually has a valet service to handle the parking but at the last function, the valet service did not show up. Mr. Curran a licensed contractor has owned the ‘Where house’ for many years but not sure of its original opening date. (late 1950’s). He did not know how many parking spaces would be added in that space.
Paola Ferrario asked if he had any official documentation for his statement such as a building inspector report.
Commissioner Paul asked if any of the condominium plans created by the former developer ( Mr. Genta) who previously owned the mill were filed. No one knew the answer.
Mr. Steve Bosco from the public took the floor explained that he had made an offer on the Hampden Cotton Mill but the sellers had already reached a agreement with Mr. Curran. He stated that he was interested in buying and restoring the property. He spoke about the conditions of the building stating that: There is asbestos present.
Water runs underneath it creating a sort of continues mist.
Mr. Gallivan of the public stated that he has a series of small decrepit building close to the Wherehouse that he will be soon tearing down to create parking.
Commissioner Paul verbally illustrated the research that the committee had done for historical relevance and stated that “as far as historical buildings go it does not get more historical than this!”
He expressed his sympathy to Mr. Curran but stressed that in this case it is appropriate to delay the demolition in order to find funding or solutions to save the building.
Commissioner Welson asked Mr. Curran if he had sought grand money to go towards a restructuring of the building. Mr. Curran answered that he had not.
Commissioner Isaza-Figueroa stated that:
The demolition delay should be considered in most situations.
‘The Wherehouse’ is a solid thriving business that employs several people and if given the chance to have a proper parking lot it would bring even more business and tourism to the city.
The demolition of building during the construction of Mass MOCA and the current situation with the Hampden Cotton Mill could be compared.
The building of parking spots may cost between the range of $3,000 to 5,000. Intiya will confirm those figures at the next meeting.
She looked into grants for the restructuring of the Hampden Cotton Mill but there weren’t any except for Historical Tax Credit and those could take up to 3 years.
Mr. Fitzgerald also expressed his love for ‘the Wherehouse’ He spoke about how wonderful it was, recalled a positive experience in which the convention of organ restorers had a banquet there and loved it. He expressed his believe that the Wherehouse with a new parking lot could bring tourism to Holyoke.
Commissioner Sheehan spoke about the Mr. Curran collection of historical artifacts and local history and how much he had done for Holyoke and it’s monuments.
The Public Hearing was closed. The Commission has 14 days to decide on a demo delay. The next meeting will be Sept. 29th, same location.
Chair person Mausel and Commissioner Paul ( Fran Welson) decided to go talk to Marcos Marrero in Planning to find out about parking availability by ‘the Wherehouse ‘
Ms. Ferrario asked clarifications as to why Mr. Curran was allowed to present his case without any evidence to verify his statements or a third party support .
It was stated that he is a long time contractor in Holyoke and owner of ‘the Wherehouse’ an iconic landmark in Holyoke.
Commissioner Sheehan stated that to get proper documentation for his statements as it would cost money. He expressed concerns about break ins and fires if the building if it were not demolished before the winter.
Ms. Ferrario pointed out that Mass MOCA was a monument of architecture and should not be compared or put on the same level of the Wherehouse.
Other business.
The inventory workshop was discussed. The Commission greatly enjoyed it.
The commission decided to do a Facebook page. Commissioner Puffin offered to publish it and maintain it.
The commission decided not to have a second website and that the website on the City of Holyoke website was perfectly adequate.
Chairperson Mausel will be doing tours of upper High Street Sat. Oct. 10th.
1:00 PM to 2:30 PM. She invited people to volunteer.
The next meeting was set for Tuesday September 29th at 7:00 PM.