HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-10-20-SBFRC-min (AM) Ad Hoc Stone Building Feasibility/Reuse Committee RECEIVED
Town of Lexington, MA 2021 20 11Mov, 0,�V Ipii7"i
TOWN CLERK
October 20, 2021 LEXINGTON MA
MINUTES
Attending: Cristina Burwell, Jeff Howry, Mark Manasas, Meg Muckenhoupt (Appropriations
Comm. Liaison), Melinda Nasardinov, Paul Smyke, Carolyn Goldstein (left 8:30), Jaclyn
Anderson , Anne Grady, Doug Lucente (Select Board Liaison)
Absent: Lester Savage, Claire Feingold Thoryn (Cary Library Trustees Liaison)
Guests: Elaine Ashton, Stephanie Hsu
Recording Secretary: Cristina Burwell
The meeting began at 7:33 with an online Roll Call & Reading of Statement on Use of Virtual
Meetings. Minutes for 10/6 were approved unanimously, as motioned by Anne, and
seconded by Mark. There were no public comments.
OLD BUSINESS
Focus Groups Update:
• Intercultural Center - a follow up questionnaire will be sent to attendees (after
tonight's focus group is over).
• History Museum (10/20) - History "stakeholders" were invited to decide on a
date which was opened up to the larger community. The goal of this meeting is
to explore concepts, not review proposals that have already been presented.
Overall feedback is that people are pretty positive and supportive of getting the
building back into use, but one of the messages that seems to be repeated is for the
SBFRC to provide both a vision, and a vision with detail about what these combined
concepts would look like.
Doug was asked about possible other groups to tie in with. He agreed about tourism,
and added perhaps the business community (per interest in such things as a coffee
shop, etc.) perhaps through the Chamber, or educational groups at one of the local
universities. It was suggested that before reaching out to universities that first we
should have a better understanding of the direction for the building's use to guide
which departments to reach out to.
1 of 3
Library Presentation (10/20) - Per the "vote" on the Trustees agenda today, many of
the SBRF committee members felt that we should instead be in having discussions
with the Library as part of the iterative process rather than watching a vote betaken by
the Trustees. If they are voting against using the building as a library, it was requested
that we have an understanding of their definition of what a "library" entails (as it was
noted that many residents surveyed would like to see a library in the building). There
was also interest expressed in knowing what they do want to see in the building, given
that they have authority over it.
Cristina proposed a new table of contents for the �;;;;;,ii. n„ „u ,Rep.2.ir, , which points to some
gaps whereby the committee needs to look into related case studies to investigate
business models of similar structures and their reuse. Mark observed that we should
be moving toward conclusions with concrete details rather than a general vision.
Case Studies: The 1749 Courthouse in Plymouth is a similar model because it belongs
to the town and houses a museum. Melinda looked into this structure's funding of both
the restoration and operational expenses, and spoke with Bill Keohan, who is the chair
of the CPC in Plymouth. He explained not only the courthouse, but other projects in
town that have been arranged by the CPC so that non-profit organizations can use
CPA funds for the restoration, such as an arts organization in town that bought a
building from the town for $1. That was an example of an organization that was
Looking for a home, so she asked if he had any examples of organizations that were
formed for the purpose of preserving a building. He named the Simes House as an
example and she got in touch with a member of the board of that non-profit, Will
Shain. Will has a business background and told her about their process. Their plan
included revenue from affordable housing, office space leases, and function rentals. He
offered to talk to our group about business plans. After part of the restoration was
completed, the organization and the CPC came to an impasse and the ownership of the
building reverted to the town. Bill Keohan also offered to talk to us about examples,
funding, and finding an adaptive reuse for the building.
It was asked of any other, similar buildings (such as the Buckman Tavern) and what, if
any, deed restrictions were in place that affected their operating plans. It was also
suggested that we need to (outside regular meetings) look more at business models
and narrow down possible uses, and to find someone with more of a business focus to
help us out (Melinda noted Plymoth's CPC Chair's willingness to meet with us to talk
about adaptive reuse and vetting different concepts).
Mark volunteered to set up some objectives and meeting times (outside of the normal
SBFRC sessions) for gathering to talk more about defining a cohesive vision for how
different uses could coexist in the building.
2of3
NEW BUSINESS
CPA funds application - It was noted that there ultimately needs to be an update to
the 2008 Stone Building study. While this is not necessarily part of this committee's
charge, it would be part of the Next Steps section of its final report. Because of this, it
was suggested to begin the process to get funds for this from CPA, knowing the
Lengthy turnaround and the need to jump start activity to preserve the building. Doug
indicated that this needs to come before the Select Board before an application occurs.
Committee members made a brief acknowledgement on video to support No Hate
November, as asked of Town committees by the Lexington Human Rights Committee.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:10am, as motioned by Mark, seconded by Melinda and
approved unanimously.
3of3