2013 RPT of CPC to STM-March-final

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ARTICLE 2 Project: Land Purchase—off Marrett Road CPA Category: Historical Resources Amount Requested: $7,652,500 Amount Recommended: $7,652,500 CPC Vote: (7-1) for the $7,390,000 land acquisition (March 5th) (7-0) for $362,500 in ancillary costs (March 14th) Project Description: This CPA request by the Board of Selectmen is for partial funding for the acquisition of the Scottish Rite property, approximately 9.5 acres located at 33 Marrett Road. (See accompanying aerial photo on page 6.) The property is being considered for a Community Center, and current negotiations for acquisition include the historic mansion with its addition, a carriage house, and surrounding land. While at one time, the house on Marrett Road, referred to as the Commander's House, was discussed as part of the acquisition, it is no longer part of the prospective purchase. The pine grove, located adjacent to the main parking area, is also not included in the acquisition. The request for the use of$7,390,000, therefore, is for the portion of the purchase price deemed eligible for funding with CPA funds. As required by the CPA statute, a preservation restriction will be placed upon all buildings and land acquired with CPA funds. The property is the combined holdings of the former estates of Charles Nunn and Richard Tower, and was purchased by the Scottish Rite in 1968 and later used for their headquarters. The main building proposed for purchase is 17,840 square feet, and has an accompanying "carriage house" of 5,260 square feet which was moved to the site from the Tower property to the west. The property under consideration lies west of the contemporary National Heritage Museum, which is owned and operated by the Scottish Rite. Brief History of the Scottish Rite Building and Grounds The historic centerpiece of the Scottish Rite headquarters is a Colonial Revival brick mansion built in 1905. It has a semicircular portico at its front, an impressive focal point for the building. It is believed that at one time the approach to the building was via a tree-lined drive, still in existence today as part of the sweeping landscape on the property. Currently used as the headquarters for the Scottish Rite, the historic home contains offices, meeting space, a dining area and an outside patio. It was designed by Boston architects Carl Fehmer and Samuel Page. Carl Fehmer was distinguished by a long career, which included the architectural work for Massachusetts General Hospital, McLean Hospital and homeowners in Back Bay, Brookline, Weston and Easton. In 2002-2003, a significant addition was constructed on the west and north side of the main mansion to make the building suitable for the national headquarters of the Scottish Rite. The addition, designed by Flansburgh Architects and referred to as the "Training Center", includes offices, meeting rooms and exhibition space. The basement houses climate controlled storage for Scottish Rite documents and artifacts. The landscaped grounds of the Scottish Rite property complement the historic Colonial Revival mansion and its addition. There is a scenic tree-lined view from the historic house, and acres of lawn surrounding the building. Pines have been planted in the area of the 3