DDA meeting January 19

CHELSEA: Downtown Development Authority authorizes study on Longworth complex

By Erica McClain
emcclain@heritage.com
Twitter: @eamcclain

Tom Girard, a Preservation Chelsea-Chelsea Connection Team member, discusses what the group has done regarding the Longworth complex.


The Chelsea Downtown Development Authority approved several measures to study the Longworth complex and its future at a Jan. 19 meeting.

In a work session last week, the DDA discussed the feasibility of redeveloping the three buildings – the Daniels Motor Sales showroom, the Chelsea House Livery Feed and the Chelsea Manufacturing Company – or removing the showroom addition and tearing down the livery.

The board approved a traffic study on Jackson Street as well as an investigation into necessary bidding requirements, drawings and specifications for potential redevelopment of the Mack as well as the requirements, drawings and specs on work to remove the livery and rehabilitated into an open space or remodeled and redeveloped. The board also approved research into a public sidewalk and appropriate landscaping on the northern side of the Longworth complex and fencing, site improvements and landscaping on along the railroad.

Several DDA members acknowledged the importance of the Longworth and its location to the downtown district.

"Whatever it is we end up doing we want to keep the focus on the character of the community," said board member Bob Pierce.

Whether it's redeveloping the area or tearing down the buildings, Pierce felt it was imperative to have the support of the community.

"This is almost a new center of downtown," DDA member Patti Schwarz said, "so I think we need to be careful about that."

Mayor Jason Lindauer said he felt it was important to get the thoughts of neighboring property owners and businesses such as the Sylvan Building and the First Congregational Church of Chelsea as well.

Though the DDA did not make a decision on any of the structures, there was some discussion on the structural integrity of the livery, as DDA Board President Peter Flintoft said he worried about the removal of asbestos from the shingles of the building. Flintoft said he didn't feel there was a lack of sensitivity toward historic preservation in that estimation, but "it still remains that the livery is not sound per the engineer's report."

The DDA set a period of 90 days for the study.

Board member Mark Heydlauff invited members of the Preservation Chelsea-Chelsea Connection Team to work with the DDA for a restoration solution because neither the board nor the city is in a position to restore the Longworth.

He asked the group about financial backing and referred to the petition 700 people signed against the Longworth's demolition more than a year ago.

"Where's that next level of passion?" he asked.

Preservation Chelsea member Tom Girard said, from his perspective, the group did not seek a financial solution to the Longworth because when the group brought a proposal to the DDA 17 months ago, it was rejected.

"I agree that the condition of the livery has deteriorated since then," Girard said.

Cathy Bean, chair of Preservation Chelsea, said she was thrilled at Heydlauff's suggestion that the two entities work together and said she would like to see a for sale sign on the buildings.




The Chelsea Downtown Development Authority approved several measures to study the Longworth complex and its future at a Jan. 19 meeting.

In a work session last week, the DDA discussed the feasibility of redeveloping the three buildings – the Daniels Motor Sales showroom, the Chelsea House Livery Feed and the Chelsea Manufacturing Company – or removing the showroom addition and tearing down the livery.

The board approved a traffic study on Jackson Street as well as an investigation into necessary bidding requirements, drawings and specifications for potential redevelopment of the Mack as well as the requirements, drawings and specs on work to remove the livery and rehabilitated into an open space or remodeled and redeveloped. The board also approved research into a public sidewalk and appropriate landscaping on the northern side of the Longworth complex and fencing, site improvements and landscaping on along the railroad.

Several DDA members acknowledged the importance of the Longworth and its location to the downtown district.

"Whatever it is we end up doing we want to keep the focus on the character of the community," said board member Bob Pierce.

Whether it's redeveloping the area or tearing down the buildings, Pierce felt it was imperative to have the support of the community.

"This is almost a new center of downtown," DDA member Patti Schwarz said, "so I think we need to be careful about that."

Mayor Jason Lindauer said he felt it was important to get the thoughts of neighboring property owners and businesses such as the Sylvan Building and the First Congregational Church of Chelsea as well.

Though the DDA did not make a decision on any of the structures, there was some discussion on the structural integrity of the livery, as DDA Board President Peter Flintoft said he worried about the removal of asbestos from the shingles of the building. Flintoft said he didn't feel there was a lack of sensitivity toward historic preservation in that estimation, but "it still remains that the livery is not sound per the engineer's report."

The DDA set a period of 90 days for the study.

Board member Mark Heydlauff invited members of the Preservation Chelsea-Chelsea Connection Team to work with the DDA for a restoration solution because neither the board nor the city is in a position to restore the Longworth.

He asked the group about financial backing and referred to the petition 700 people signed against the Longworth's demolition more than a year ago.

"Where's that next level of passion?" he asked.

Preservation Chelsea member Tom Girard said, from his perspective, the group did not seek a financial solution to the Longworth because when the group brought a proposal to the DDA 17 months ago, it was rejected.

"I agree that the condition of the livery has deteriorated since then," Girard said.

Cathy Bean, chair of Preservation Chelsea, said she was thrilled at Heydlauff's suggestion that the two entities work together and said she would like to see a for sale sign on the buildings.

Copy editor Erica McClain can be reached at 429-7380 or emcclain@heritage.com.

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