No one loves the big gaping hole on Winthrop Street. But how do you feel about the plans for a residential development there? These plans are currently on view in the City Hall Office of Community Development – check them out and submit your comments to the Office of Community Development by May 8. (Part 1 of 2…to be continued…)
Demo Application: 146 Damon Rd
The Medford Historical Commission has received an application to demolish the garage at 146 Damon Rd. We will determine whether or not the building is historically significant at the May 13 meeting.
[The building was found to be NOT historically significant at the May meeting.]
Meet Your Commissioners-Peter Miller
Corey Street, c. 1915 Photo Courtesy of Jeff Myung
Peter Miller joined the Medford Historical Commission in winter 2019, just in time to help with our annual spring rush of demolition applications. He has jumped right in and he has this to share with us: a view of old Corey St (above), and the following personal introduction,
My wife and I feel lucky to have settled in the Hillside neighborhood in 1997. We have three children, all of which have attended the Medford public schools. As an architect, I have an appreciation for the timeless craftsmanship and detail that can be found in our historic structures and I look forward to helping contribute to the preservation of Medford’s historic fabric. In summer, I can be seen performing with my band at the Medford Farmer’s Market and I very much enjoy walking my dog, Edward, past the Paul Curtis House and along the Mystic river paths.
Historically Significant: 23 Bower St
At the Historical Commission’s April public meeting, the carriage house at 23 Bower St was found to be historically significant. At our May public meeting we will determine whether or not this building is also preferably preserved.
If a building is found preferably preserved, an 18 month delay of demolition will take place, to give the owner time to consider renovation, reuse, relocation and other alternatives to demolition. Meeting will be Monday, May 13 at 7 PM in Room 201 of City Hall.
At the April meeting, the application for demolition of the house and garage at 45-47 Mystic Ave was approved, as these were NOT found to be historically significant.
Preferably Preserved
Buildings at 421 High Street, 16 Foster Court, 104 Winchester Street and 7 Lauriat Place were all determined to be preferably preserved at our April public meeting. Thanks to the Medford residents who shared their thoughts and concerns at the public meeting, and in writing.
For details on each decision, please see our forthcoming meeting minutes.
When a building is found to be “preferably preserved” an 18 month delay of demolition is imposed, to give the applicant time to consider renovation, reuse, relocation and other alternatives to demolition.
Each of the applicants is invited to return to the Commission’s upcoming public meetings to present plans and alternatives, and to discuss the preservation concerns that their neighbors and the commission have. If, in any case, a plan is developed that addresses the concerns of the public and the commission, the demolition delay may be lifted before the 18 month period.
April Agenda
It’s a big meeting – with Cincotti Funeral Home in West Medford, a shipbuilding family’s early Cape Cod in East Medford, a 19th century gold leaf workshop, and a Ball Square beauty all on the agenda. Each of these buildings was deemed “historically significant” at the March public meeting. At this month’s public meeting the Historical Commission will decide whether or not each of these properties is also “preferably preserved.”
April 2019 Agenda
If a building is found preferably preserved, an 18 month delay of demolition will take place, to give the owner time to consider renovation, reuse, relocation and other alternatives to demolition. Meeting will be Monday, April 8 at 7 PM in Room 201 of City Hall.
Demo Application: 23 Bower St
The Medford Historical Commission has received an application to demolish the carriage house at 23 Bower St, built c. 1880, next door to the Shiloh Baptist Church. A recent Massachusetts Historical Commission Form B was prepared to detail the history of the property, including the carriage house building.
The Commission will post additional information to this page as review of this demolition proceeds.
23 Bower St MassHC Form B
West Medford Commercial District Area Form
Click here for the community overview for West Medford from the Survey Plan
Demo Application: 45-47 Mystic Ave
[At the April 2019 meeting of the Medford HC, this property was found to be NOT historically significant, and the demo permit was granted.]
The Medford Historical Commission has received an application to demolish the *house and* carriage house at 45-47 Mystic Ave. A Massachusetts Historical Commission Form B was recently prepared to detail the history of the property, including the carriage house building.
Horse Racing & the Medford Mustang
For a peek at the life of “Honest” James Golden, a famous horse trainer at the Mystic Trotting Park and beyond, check out the Form B.
Image of the 1872 race of Lucy and Goldsmith Maid, from the Library of Congress
The Commission will post additional information to this page as review of this demolition proceeds.
[Updated April 11 – At our April meeting, the application for demolition of the house and garage at 45-47 Mystic Ave was approved, as these were NOT found to be historically significant.]
Updated Demo Review Package
The Medford Historical Commission has revised our Demolition Review Package to – hopefully – make the process more transparent. The 2019 revision is now available here, and on our website’s Demolition Review Process page. Ask for it in the Building Department at City Hall as well!!
March Applications
In addition to the determinations discussed in the post below, the Medford Historical Commission also received applications for demolition permits from two properties. Both are older than 75 years old – the house and carriage house at 45-47 Mystic Ave and the carriage house at 23 Bowers St – and we have ordered research on both of them.
We will determine whether or not they are historically significant at the April 8 meeting.
The March meeting was also the first meeting for our newest commissioner, Peter Miller.
