The Mission of Preservation Chelsea

It is our mission to preserve Chelsea as a village rich with history and charm, reflected by historic buildings, surrounding farmlands, and as found in our beautiful and vibrant village center. We aim to work through education, offering to ourselves and the community the history of Chelsea as well as the issues shaping our future. We intend actively to preserve historic landmarks and to have a voice in all issues that affect any possible de-centralization of our village. It is our intention to pursue this mission with full involvement and input from merchants and citizens of Chelsea and to act in ways that make sense for the preservation of Chelsea's charm and historic integrity while supporting a vibrant and successful downtown.

Federal Screw Works

Federal Screw Works
This property has been under threat of total demolition since 2008--there are historically signficant and architecturally interesting sections that should be preserved!

Jackson Street Panorama

Jackson Street Panorama
The DDA voted at the meeting on 9.20.12 to demolish the Daniels Addition Car Showroom despite the letter from the State Historic Preservation Office. (please read below)

Friday, September 17, 2010

Points sent to each City Council Member, p 1

City Council Points September 12, 2010

The following are some ideas for halting demolition on the Livery and Daniels Showroom:

Financial Reasons/Fiscal Responsibility
- From a fiscal standpoint we feel that for the DDA to purchase these buildings for more than their appraised value and then turn around and tear down ½ to 2/3s of the complex is fiscally negligent and irresponsible.
- We feel that this it is not fiscally responsible of City Government or the DDA to demolish nationally significant historic buildings for a parking lot.
- The potential taxes that could be collected from the Longworth Complex as businesses would be roughtly . As a parking lot/sitting/entertainment area, it would bring $0 in taxes and would cost the city approximately to maintain.
- Three serious potential buyers have been interested in these buildings, but were chased away by the price that the DDA was asking to purchase these buildings and/or by the cost of sanitary sewer/water hookup fees.
- The DDA wants a buyer to pay $400,000 to purchase these buildings, but no one could get a mortgage for that amount, because the appraised value is only $300,000.
- When the DDA is quoting their renovation costs compared to our renovation costs they are not comparing apples to apples. They keep quoting the much higher cost of a “full fit out”, as opposed to the cost of “white-boxing” all the buildings. This helps to support their argument that they cannot “afford” to renovate these buildings.
- The DDA has continued to misrepresent the cost of reusing these buildings. A local builder has studied these buildings and has quoted a significantly lower price to stabilize and do any necessary repairs on the buildings. The following are his quotes
Charlie Shiver’s original quote for restoration and white-boxing the entire facility (all three buildings) was $800K. In a subsequent evaluation, Charlie estimated $500K to restore and white-box the Livery by itself.  This included all new structural work for the roof and 2nd floor.
The RFP Proposal called for about $2.2M for a full fit out of all three buildings, a green roof on the livery, a rooftop restaurant, and a roof top patio.
The one and only bid that the DDA obtained for restoration and white-boxing all three buildings was $1.50M-$1.75M.
- The following is an estimated cost comparison for the Chelsea Connection Proposal vs. DDA “Plan B” (See Attachment A for more detail)

Chelsea Connection:
DDA takes a $200k loss on sale, plus a $50k loss for professional fees: total loss of $250k
Chelsea begins collecting property taxes: first based on new basis for the property ($200k) – maybe $6000/ year, and escalating as property value increases with renovation.

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