Month: August 2018

Demo Application: 595 Broadway

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The Medford Historical Commission received a complete application for demolition for 595 Broadway, a residential building on the Somerville-Medford border. Because of its location, the owner must go through the demolition review process in both Medford and Somerville.

The process in Somerville is similar to our own – read more here. And, to see how other neighboring towns and cities – Woburn, Arlington, Winchester –  compare, scroll down to the bottom of our page on the Demolition Review Process.

[Updated November 2018 – The Medford Historical Commission agreed with the decision of the Somerville Historical Commission and found the building to be not historically significant, so no further discussion was necessary, and a demo permit was granted.]

August Determinations

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The Medford Historical Commission has made the following determinations at their August meeting:

77 Cotting St – NOT preferably preserved.

137 Damon Rd – NOT preferably preserved.

368-374 Main St – Preferably preserved, with a demolition delay of up to 18 months.

Thanks to everyone who came out to voice their concerns about three very interesting properties in Medford. Each of these buildings vividly represents the history of its unique Medford neighborhood – be it the 19th C working-class residential boom of Hillside, the grand suburban plans of Lawrence Estates or the homey and bustling streetscape of South Medford’s Little Italy. When these buildings are gone, their loss will be felt. For those who couldn’t make it, here are some details, via the Transcript.

Demolition Notice: 368-374 Main St

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Notice of Public Hearing

Tuesday, August 7, 2018

On Intent to Demolish a Significant Building
As Determined by the Medford Historical Commission

Notice is hereby given to the Public that a Notice of Intent to Demolish a Building has
been submitted to the Medford Historical Commission for the commercial block located
at 368-374 Main Street, Medford, MA. The Medford Historical Commission has
determined that the building meets the criteria of a significant building as defined in
Section 48-77 of the Medford City Ordinance. In accordance with Section 48-78 of the
Medford City Ordinance, the Medford Historical Commission is holding a public hearing
on Monday, August 20, 2018 at 7 p.m. in the Community Room of the South Medford
Fire Station, located at Medford and Main Streets, to determine if the demolition of the
building at 368-374 Main Street would be detrimental to the historical, cultural, or
architectural heritage or resources of the City of Medford.

368-374 Main Street:
Main Street MHC Form B
368-374 MainStreet Demolition Application
368-374 Main Street Owner Approval Letter
374 Main Street New Building Plans

Demolition Notice: 137 Damon Rd

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Notice of Public Hearing

Tuesday, August 7, 2018

On Intent to Demolish a Significant Building
As Determined by the Medford Historical Commission

Notice is hereby given to the Public that a Notice of Intent to Demolish a Building has
been submitted to the Medford Historical Commission for the house located at 137
Damon Road, Medford, MA. The Medford Historical Commission has determined that
the building meets the criteria of a significant building as defined in Section 48-77 of the
Medford City Ordinance. In accordance with Section 48-78 of the Medford City
Ordinance, the Medford Historical Commission is holding a public hearing on Monday,
August 20, 2018 at 7 p.m. in the Community Room of the South Medford Fire Station,
located at Medford and Main Streets, to determine if the demolition of the building at 137
Damon Road would be detrimental to the historical, cultural, or architectural heritage or
resources of the City of Medford.

137 Damon Road:
137 Damon Road MHC Form B
137 Damon Road Demolition Application

Demolition Notice: 77 Cotting St

/ medfordhistoricalcommission

Notice of Public Hearing

Tuesday, August 7, 2018

On Intent to Demolish a Significant Building
As Determined by the Medford Historical Commission

Notice is hereby given to the Public that a Notice of Intent to Demolish a Building has
been submitted to the Medford Historical Commission for the house located at 77 Cotting
Street, Medford, MA. The Medford Historical Commission has determined that the
building meets the criteria of a significant building as defined in Section 48-77 of the
Medford City Ordinance. In accordance with Section 48-78 of the Medford City
Ordinance, the Medford Historical Commission is holding a public hearing on Monday,
August 20, 2018 at 7 p.m. in the Community Room of the South Medford Fire Station,
located at Medford and Main Streets, to determine if the demolition of the building at 77
Cotting Street would be detrimental to the historical, cultural, or architectural heritage or resources of the City of Medford.

77 Cotting Street:
77 Cotting Street Demolition Application
77 Cotting Street Site Plan Scan
77 Cotting Street MHC Form B

For additional relevant history see also:
368 Salem St Ephraim Bailey House MHC Form B
78 Cotting Street MHC Form B

Medford’s Community Read 2018

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Medford’s community read this year  – Caleb’s Crossing, by Geraldine Brooks – is “inspired by a true story” from colonial New England history.  Medford Public Library is hosting a discussion of the novel, and its “history, themes, relationships and impact” on Wednesday, Aug 15 at 7 PM. The discussion will be lead by Library Director Barbara Kerr, more info here.

The novel is “set in Massachusetts in the 1660s” and “tells the tale of Bethia Mayfield, a restless and curious young woman growing up amid a small band of English Puritans. At age twelve, she meets Caleb, the young son of a chieftain, and the two forge a secret bond that draws each into the alien world of the other…”

There’s still lots of 2018 left, so even if you haven’t read the novel yet, you can stop by and learn more.

Historically Significant

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77 Cotting St,
137 Damon Rd and
368-374 Main St

have all been found historically significant. This means that a public meeting will be held on Monday, Aug 20 7 PM in the Community Room at the South Medford Fire Station, at Main and Medford Sts [was City Hall] to determine whether these historically significant buildings are also preferably preserved. After public discussion, if they are determined to be preferably preserved, a demolition delay of 18 months may be imposed. The demo delay can be lifted if the community and owner/developer can create a plan that preserves the historic character of the neighborhood.