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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-10-20-SBFRC-minAd Hoc Stone Building Feasibility/Reuse Committee Town of Lexington, MA October 20, 2021 7:00 pm MINUTES The final forum began with a slideshow of the SBFRC charge, and the building’s histor y. It continued with findings that the committee identified through previous forums, community conversations, and existing community survey reports. Committee conclusions and recommendations were also reviewed. T here was much suppor t, both in the process for ongoing feedback and community par ticipation, as well as the possibilities for DEI and social justice initiatives, and a new par t of Lexington histor y to be presented (19th cent.). T here was interest expressed in maintaining a reading room (free book swap, magazine exchange) akin to the old branch librar y. Speakers were from community groups (LexSeeHer) and proposal writers (T he Robbins Hall Museum of Slaver y and Abolitionism and the Burdoo Center for Racial Justice), as well as the neighboring Waldorf school. A question was raised as to the problem of parking, which was described as still in consideration (though the building is conveniently placed on a public transportation path as well as adjacent to the bike path). Another speaker acknowledged the role of the coordinator as critical to progress. Some participant comments are as follows: ●Rosemar y Trowbridge: Love the focus on racial justice and democracy. ●The history of our past helps us in the present ●Amy Rosenstein: Put a plug in for another branch librar y - reading room on the first floor, with maybe a free book swap, or old magazines ●Jessie Steigerwald: Question to reaffirm the importance of an elevator for access ●Appreciate the process, and felt heard ●Jessie Steigerwald: Good to hear social justice, abolition, temperance ●Leslie Masson: Question about available parking ●Gretchen Segars: Comment from LPS Metco director that she could see professional development work happening here, and equity work as an anti-racist educator ●Lauren Smith: Director of Waldorf School - Histor y and Community, also concerned about parking, but excited to see it available and they would use it ●Carlos Hoyt: Visible commitment of inclusion, awareness of social bias, DEI space ●Rosemar y Trowbridge: So many citizens are experts in their fields, and we could make use of that in programming (not unlike the speakers in the 1800’s) ●Janel Showalter: Ver y supportive, All ages able to engage in surrounding communities, new par t of lexington history ●Janel Showalter: Coordinator is critical and would help to be a focal point ●Jessie Steigerwald: As a user, a kitchen component would be important - maybe partner with local vendors; small coffee shop feel ●Kathleen Dalton: Place for affinity groups to get to know each other ●Kathleen Dalton: Immigration from then to now, industrial era, tourism ●Kathleen Dalton: Groups telling new stories in history - LHS, LexSeeHer ●Kathleen Dalton: Place to listen to the community, oral histories, community conversations ●Tony Rotundo: East Lexington has been a gateway to Lexington and the US by immigrants ●Toby Ward: Wondered if films might be a possibility.