2013-08-30-Ad hoc Townwide Facilities Master Planning Committee (Final Report of Committee)

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HOSMER HOUSE Description The Hammond A. Hosmer House (previously the `White House') is located in the Battle Green Historic District on Massachusetts Avenue near the intersection of Woburn Street. It is adjacent to the Minuteman Commuter Bikeway and the Police Station. Constructed in the 1840s as a residence, the wood frame Greek Revival building is currently vacant. It has previously served as the School Central Administration and temporarily as the Department of Public Works Administration. The property has the following characteristics: LOCATION: 1557 Massachusetts Avenue YEAR OPENED: 1840s LOT SIZE: 1.79 acres BUILDING SIZE: 2,325 SF OWNER: Town of Lexington ZONING: RS (One - Family Dwelling Residential District) CURRENT USE: Vacant BUILDING ASSESSED VALUE (FY13): $497,000 (prior to partial demolition) LAND ASSESSED VALUE (FY13): $544,000 TOTAL ASSESSED VALUE (FY13): $1.04 million (prior to partial demolition) Previous Analyses A 2010 Historic Structure Report of the Hammond A. Hosmer House by Bargmann Hendrie + Archetype, Inc. detailed the building's history and physical condition. It also provided options and recommendations for retaining and restoring the historically significant portion of the building, which included five interconnected pieces at the time. Recent Actions The 2012 Annual Town Meeting approved $381,000 from the General Fund (cash) to demolish the non - historic pieces and stabilize the historic, main -block house. The work was completed in April 2013. Recommended Action The Committee recommends that the Hosmer House be moved from its current location to improve options for reuse of the Town property on which it sits as well as the future utilization of the Hosmer House. HOSMER HOUSE 1557 MASSACHUSETTS AVE. TOWNWIDE FACILITIES MASTER PLANNING 15