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CITY OF SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS Dominick Pangallo, Mayor Community Preservation Committee 98 WASHINGTON STREET ♦ SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS 01970 TEL: [PHONE REDACTED] TO: Honorable City Council FROM: Patti Kelleher, Preservation Planner on behalf of the Community Preservation Committee DATE: June 13, 2024 RE: CPC Recommendation for CPA Funding The Community Preservation Committee (CPC) is pleased to submit its recommendations for the City of Salem’s tenth round of Community Preservation Act (CPA) funding. While the CPC is responsible for studying community preservation needs and reviewing applications submitted for CPA funding, it is ultimately the City Council that must approve projects receiving CPA expenditures. In compliance with MGL c.44B, the City Council is requested to take one of the following actions on each funding recommendation: • Approve recommendation of the CPC • Reject recommendation of the CPC • Reduce amount recommended by the CPC • Reserve amount recommended by the CPC to applicable reserve account, rather than approving the project With your approval, funding for these projects will be available on July 1, 2024. Please feel free to contact me with any questions concerning this submission. Thank you for your consideration. ---PAGE BREAK--- City of Salem Community Preservation Committee Round 10 Report on Funding Recommendations for the Salem City Council June 13, 2024 Community Preservation Act FY24 Funding Round (FY25 Funds) ---PAGE BREAK--- 1 ---PAGE BREAK--- 2 Overview The Community Preservation Committee (CPC) submits the following project award recommendations for Community Preservation Act (CPA) funds: o Housing Resources o SHA Elevator Replacement 5 Barton Square/140 Washington Street $160,000.00 o Historic Resources o Old Town Hall Restoration $250,000.00 o Fort Lee Preservation & Management Plan $36,000.00 o Broad Street Cemetery Table Tomb Restoration $20,000.00 o Emmerton House Repointing $250,000.00 o The Bridge at 211 Renovation and Accessibility $65,000.00 o St. Peter’s Church Bell Tower Restoration $225,000.00 o St. Nicholas Church Cupola Restoration $25,000.00 o Phillips House Carriage Barn Restoration $25,000.00 o Open Space/Recreational Land o Salem Willows Phase II $200,000.00 o Curtis Park Design $20,000.00 o Bentley School/ECC Shade Structure $59,000.00 Included in this report is a spreadsheet breaking down the recommended source of CPA funds for each project, as well as a detailed overview of the ten projects recommended. The total funds available for projects is $1,395,250.27. This includes the FY25 estimated funds (surcharge revenues and State match), as well as $447,925.27 in carried over, undesignated FY23 funds. The total funds available was close (94%) to the total amount of funding requests ($1,415,220.00). The CPC is recommending funding for projects totaling $1,335,000.00. If awarded, the minimum of 10% minimum spending in the categories of Housing Resources, Historic Resources and Open Space/Recreation will be satisfied. This will leave a balance available of $60,262.00. This balance was reserved to account for a reduction in the anticipated FY24 State match. However, please note that the available funding will increase in November 2024 when late payments, unspent FY24 admin, FY24 surcharge revenues received over the $830,183 estimate, interest and any other extra funds that are reported to the Department of Revenue are placed into the Fund Balance. Approval of all projects is conditional that signage be installed as provided in the Community Preservation Committee’s sign policy. Cover photo from Salem Willows Phase II. ---PAGE BREAK--- 3 RECOMMENDED CPA PROJECTS & FUNDING BY CPA RESERVE ACCOUNT FY24 BUDGETED RESERVE Fund Balance FY25 HOUSING FY25 HISTORIC FY25 OS/REC FY25 BUDGETED RESERVE APPLICANT TITLE AWARD RECOMM. $739.19 $447,186.08 $102,350.00 $102,350.00 $102,350.00 $640,275.00 Community Housing Salem Housing Authority Barton Square Elevator Upgrade $160,000.00 $57,650.00 $102,350.00 Historic Resources City of Salem/DCPC Old Town Hall Exterior Restoration $250,000.00 $739.19 $146,910.81 $102,350.00 Woman’s Friend Society Emmerton House Repointing $250,000.00 $9,975.27 $240,024.73 The Bridge at 211 Bridge at 211 Renovation and Accessibility $65,000.00 $65,000.00 City of Salem/DPCD Fort Lee Preservation Plan $36,000.00 $36,000.00 City of Salem/DPCD Broad Street Cemetery Tomb Restoration $20,000.00 $20,000.00 St. Peter’s Church St. Peter's Church Bell Tower Restoration $225,000.00 $225,000.00 Historic New England Phillips House Carriage Barn Restoration $25,000.00 $25,000.00 St. Nicholas Church St. Nicholas Church Cupola Restoration $25,000.00 $25,000.00 Open Space & Recreation City of Salem/DPCD Salem Willows Phase II $200,000.00 $97,650.00 $102,350.00 City of Salem/ECC ECC Bentley School Shade Structure $59,000.00 $59,000.00 City of Salem/DPCD & Park/Rec Curtis Park Redevelopment $20,000.00 $20,000.00 $1,335,000.00 $739.19 $447,186.08 $102,350.00 $102,350.00 $102,350.00 $580,024.73 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $60,262.00 ---PAGE BREAK--- 4 APPLICANT: Salem Housing Authority PROJECT TITLE: Elevator Replacement PROJECT LOCATION: 5 Barton Square/140 Washington Street CPA CATEGORY: Housing Resources: Preservation CPC PRIORITY RANKING: High CPC RECOMMENDED CPA FUNDING: $160,000.00 CPC RECOMMENDED SOURCE: $57,650 – Fund Balance $102,350 – FY24 Housing Reserve PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The Salem Housing Authority (SHA) requested $160,000 in CPA funds to fund elevator replacement on the Powers Block at 5 Barton Square/140 Washington Street. The SHA owns and operates the top 2 floors of this building, which houses 16 units of low-income elderly and disabled persons public housing. The Powers Block is a highly visible and historically designated building on Salem’s main thoroughfare, Washington Street. The elevator that accesses the SHA units in the Powers Block is in urgent need of upgrade code work and component replacement. The elevator dates to 1983, when the Housing Authority purchased the units. Commonwealth of Massachusetts elevator code has evolved and changed and there are significant changes that must be made in 2024 to keep the elevator up to code and ensure accessibility for the building’s elderly and disabled residents. The project is necessary to preserve accessibility for the 16 affordable housing units on the 3rd and 4th floor of this historic downtown building. The Salem Housing Authority is responsible for 100% of the cost of the elevator work. With extremely limited federal funding, (approximately $75,000 annually for five properties across the City) it is impossible for SHA to afford the full scope of this work. The SHA is seeking CPA funding to supplement the limited capital source that is available for this work. ---PAGE BREAK--- 5 CPC RECOMMENDATION: The Community Preservation Committee voted unanimously (Boris abstained), to recommend funding this application at $160,000. The CPC voted to recommend $57,650 from the Fund Balance and $102,350 from the FY25 Housing Reserve. ---PAGE BREAK--- 6 APPLICANT: City of Salem/DPCD PROJECT TITLE: Old Town Hall Restoration PROJECT LOCATION: 32 Derby Square CPA CATEGORY: Historic Resources: Rehabilitation/Restoration CPC PRIORITY RANKING: High CPC RECOMMENDED CPA FUNDING: $250,000.00 CPC RECOMMENDED SOURCE: $102,350.00 – FY25 Historic Preservation Reserve $146,910.81 – Fund Balance $ 739.19 – FY24 Budgeted Reserve PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The City of Salem Department of Planning & Community Development (DPCD) requested $250,000 for the restoration of Old Town Hall. The City previously received $100,000 towards this $1.5 million restoration project in the FY23 CPA funding round. Built in 1816, Old Town Hall at 32 Derby Square is Salem’s oldest municipal building, a beloved community asset, and an iconic tourist attraction situated in the heart of downtown. The Federal style, Flemish-bond brick masonry building is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and originally served as Salem Town Hall and a large open public market. The building saw various renovations in 1933, 1975 and 2015. Today, the facility and its surrounding brick plaza, Derby Square, continue to serve as public gathering space, hosting community-wide celebrations such as the Salem Arts Festival and Haunted Happenings in addition to over 100 events each year through its rental program. Events including private receptions, craft markets, weddings, fundraisers, concerts, theatrical performances, art shows, and civic functions engage hundreds of artists and attract thousands of community members and tourists to the space. Even with this active programing the area’s full potential as a thriving arts & culture community hub and tourist attraction is unable to be realized due to the limitations and conditions of the space. To that end, the City aims to restore & revitalize this iconic historic structure as a thriving year-around Community Arts & Culture Center, through life safety improvements, sustainability & accessibility upgrades, and extensive historic preservation interventions, among other functional enhancements, all while maintaining vital historic integrity. In late 2021, the City employed Mills Whitaker Architects to develop designs and provide cost estimates for the restoration and renovation of Old Town Hall based on the building’s current conditions and needs, with the goals of preserving this iconic historic asset and revitalizing the space as a year around community arts and culture center. The proposed work includes extensive structural repairs, upgrades to building systems, preservation of historical assets inside and out, and other efforts that will generally improve the overall functionality and usability of the space. CPA funds granted to this project will be specifically earmarked for exterior historic restoration and preservation efforts including masonry repointing; repainting of wood cornices, cupola, windows, doors, and rails; repairs to slate roof; structural reinforcements; and restoration historic lighting fixtures among other work. All original windows and exterior entrances will be retained and restored. Louvers from former mechanical systems ---PAGE BREAK--- 7 will be removed and bricks restored. The ventilating cupola will be repaired and will serve as the intake and exhaust for new mechanical systems. In addition to this exterior work, existing interior historic features, such as stair nosings, mantel pieces, wood floors, and lighting fixtures, will also be preserved and restored. In limited areas, new interior features will be required, but will match original features in character, scale, and design to preserve overall historic integrity of the facility. Current conditions in the building are quickly approaching a point of unsafe use. The ‘Band-Aid’ approach to repairs used over recent decades is no longer sufficient to address the building’s failing systems, out-of-date code compliance and overall, severely deteriorating conditions. Without these proposed interventions, the building will continue to degrade and to fall further into disrepair, resulting in the complete loss of functionality of this important historic asset. The restoration of this high-profile property will not only preserve the historic character of the greater Derby Square area but will also greatly enhance the character of downtown by driving cultural tourism; increasing functionality and overall community access; and eliminating the potential for blight that a shuttered Old Town Hall would cause. TIMELINE: July 2023 – Apr 2024: Construction Document Phase / prepare completed plans & specs, final SRA approval, submit code narratives to building dept., final estimate Apr 2024 – May 2024: Bidding & Contractor Selection / public bidding filed sub-bids followed by general contractor bids, evaluate submissions prior to award May 2024 – July 2024: Permitting, Submittals, Mobilization / execute contract, building permit, pre- construction conference, third-party contracts, submittals July 2024 – Dec 2025: Construction to Substantial Completion / perimeter fencing, scaffolding, sitework (utilities & accessibility), exterior envelope, interior work Jan 2026 – Mar 2026: Project Closeout / punch list, commissioning, record drawings, manuals, warranties, move-in,systems training CPC RECOMMENDATION: The Community Preservation Committee voted unanimously (Greel abstained) to recommend funding this application at $250,000, with $102,350 from the FY25 Historic Preservation Reserve, $146,910.81 from the Fund Balance, and $739.19 from the FY24 Budgeted Reserve. ---PAGE BREAK--- 8 APPLICANT: Woman’s Friend Society PROJECT TITLE: Emmerton House Repointing PROJECT LOCATION: 12 Hawthorne Boulevard CPA CATEGORY: Historic Resources: Rehabilitation/Restoration CPC PRIORITY RANKING: High CPC RECOMMENDED CPA FUNDING: $250,000.00 CPC RECOMMENDED SOURCE: $240,024.73 - FY25 Budgeted Reserve $ 9,975.27 – Fund Balance PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The Woman’s Friend Society submitted a request for $250,000 for repointing at the historic Emmerton House at 12 Hawthorne Boulevard. The Woman’s Friend Society previously received a FY23 CPA award of $100,000 towards this project but the funds were not enough to undertake the work. The Federal style brick Emmerton house was constructed between 1810 and 1812. Originally built as a double house, one half was purchased by Jennie Emmerton in 1876 to house the Woman’s Friend Society with the stipulation that the Society become self-funding within five years. Several years later, the Society purchased the entire building. The mission of Woman’s Friend was incorporated “for the purpose of extending sympathy and help to girls and women of any nationality and of any class, from the highest to the most lowly, and by that sympathy and help to inspire and encourage habits of industry and self-reliance”. Sewing, cooking and household management classes were held for newly arriving immigrant women to help them earn a living for their families and to assimilate into society. Later the Society opened the first Kindergarten in Salem and began the visiting nurses program. Since then, these programs have been spun off. The Emmerton House currently houses twenty-one single women in 100% affordable housing. Woman’s Friend also supports many other charitable organizations and agencies in the city. Woman’s Friend is seeking CPA funds for the next phase of restoration work on the 200+ year old building. Previously, the Society received CPA funding for major repairs to the roof, soffits, doors, and windows. They now seek additional funds to complete the repointing of the building’s brick exterior and foundation. The brick has been subject to weather and decay over the past two centuries. As a result, the mortar joints are in danger of allowing water to seep in thus undermining the structure of the building and creating dampness in the house. Repointing will also prevent heat loss and thus will save energy. The Woman’s Friend Society received an estimate of $450,000 to repoint the entire building. Therefore, Woman’s Friend will phase the project to restore the most deteriorated parts of the building, beginning on the East side of the building facing Hawthorne Boulevard, which is the side most in need of repair. Once this is completed, repointing will continue on the West side of the building. The Society is committed to keeping rents below affordable housing rates to ensure that the women who reside at Emmerton House for the maximum 5-year stay are able to save and plan for the next ---PAGE BREAK--- 9 phase of their lives. This annual gap is supported by the income earned on the Society’s endowment. A commitment to expend principle from the endowment is a significant investment for the Society, especially in today’s economic climate. Therefore, they are seeking significant grant funding for the planned capital and restoration plans. FINANCIAL: TIMELINE: • July 1, 2024 – CPA Funding available • July – August 2024 – Planning with contractors to identify commencement dates, including applying for required permits and police detail • July 2024 – Application submitted for SHC approval • August 2024 – SHC approval • August-November – Erection of scaffolding and repointing of building • December 2024 – Work complete CPC RECOMMENDATION: The Community Preservation Committee voted unanimously to recommend funding this application at $250,000. The CPC voted to recommend $240,024.73 from the FY25 Budgeted Reserve and $9,975.27 from the Fund Balance. Approval is conditional that all work must adhere to the Secretary of the Interior Standards for Treatment of Historic Properties. ---PAGE BREAK--- 10 APPLICANT: The Bridge at 211 PROJECT TITLE: The Bridge at 211 Renovation and Accessibility PROJECT LOCATION: 211 Bridge Street CPA CATEGORY: Historic Resources: Rehabilitation/Restoration CPC PRIORITY RANKING: High CPC RECOMMENDED CPA FUNDING: $65,000 CPC RECOMMENDED SOURCE: $65,000 – FY25 Budgeted Reserve PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The Bridge at 211 submitted a request for $65,000 for a detailed assessment and design plan to address code compliance issues and accessibility needs at the 1808 former First Universalist Church building in order to reopen the building again for public events. The Bridge at 211 building is listed on the State and National Registers of Historic Places. While the original 1808 Federal style brick building was designed and built under the auspices of William Perley Putnam, there are several examples of Samuel McIntire’s work in the building. The 1889 Bolles Wing was designed and constructed in the same Federal style. The 211 Bridge Street building and the adjacent Thomas Perkins House at the top of Ash Street are the only two remaining buildings in the neighborhood that were not lost to urban renewal in the late 1960’s. The preservation of these structures was the flash point for continued preservation and restoration of historically significant buildings in Salem’s downtown. The Bridge at 211 building is owned by the 211 Bridge Street Corporation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The building is located on an important entrance corridor to the City and is highly visible to those entering the downtown area from North Street and Bridge Street Neck. The Bridge at 211 is seeking CPA funds for the first step in a capital improvement project that will protect personnel and real property from injury, harm, or destruction and will help bring new life and purpose to an historic space. The Bridge at 211 has spent the past two years gathering information and imagining what physical improvements should be made to the building as well as how to program, operate, and sustain an irreplaceable piece of Salem’s heritage. The goal is to be self-sustaining and to preserve the legacy of the building, which is steeped in Salem’s history and lore and inspired by its founders who advocated for social justice for all and actively supported abolition, women's suffrage, rights, and other social reform movements. According to the building’s Adaptive Reuse Study, the transformation and expansion of The Bridge at 211 will help address the need for a significant performing arts space in the City of Salem and will protect and preserve the building’s historic integrity and provide universal access to an important landmark. ---PAGE BREAK--- 11 FINANCIAL: The estimated cost for the study is $79,000. The Bridge at 211 expects to fundraise $1,000 from its donor base and is seeking a $5,000 grant from Essex County Community Foundation. The Board has authorized spending up to $10,000 of our own funds for any shortfall. The Bridge is seeking $65,000 in CPA funds. CPC RECOMMENDATION: The Community Preservation Committee voted unanimously to recommend funding this application at $65,000. The CPC voted to recommend $65,000 from the FY25 Budgeted Reserve. Approval is conditional that all work must adhere to the Secretary of the Interior Standards for Treatment of Historic Properties. ---PAGE BREAK--- 12 APPLICANT: City of Salem/DPCD PROJECT TITLE: Fort Lee Preservation & Management Plan PROJECT LOCATION: Memorial Drive/Fort Avenue, Salem Willows CPA CATEGORY: Historic Resources: Rehabilitation/Restoration CPC PRIORITY RANKING: High CPC RECOMMENDED CPA FUNDING: $36,000 CPC RECOMMENDED SOURCE: $36,000 – Fund Balance PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The City of Salem submitted a request for $36,000 to complete a preservation and management Plan for Fort Lee in the Salem Willows. Fort Lee is a rare example of a Revolutionary War earthwork fort in Massachusetts to survive relatively intact from its initial construction in 1776 despite repairs and remodeling efforts in 1812 and 1862. Listed in the National Register of Historic Places, this simple earthwork fort is laid out in an irregular four-pointed star form on a high outcrop between Salem and Beverly Harbors. In 1927, Fort Lee and its 2.3 acre site was deeded to the City of Salem for use as a public park. Despite restoration and improvement efforts completed for the 1976 Bicentennial and a planning study completed in 2003, Fort Lee is suffering from erosion, vegetation overgrowth, inappropriate use and lack of public awareness that is threatening the future of this historic site. While the fort’s four-pointed form is apparent from aerial photographs (see historic photo above), the current condition of the site hides this significant historic feature from view. Today, as Salem prepares to honor the 400th anniversary of its founding and the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, preservation of Fort Lee is critical. For this project, the City will contract with a qualified consultant team to develop a Preservation and Management Plan for Fort Lee. The purpose of the project is to document, assess, identify, and prioritize the preservation needs of the fort and to develop strategies to preserve and improve the historic site, retaining the fort’s historic integrity while at the same time maintaining and improving its public accessibility and environmental sustainability. The City was recently awarded a matching FY24 Survey and Planning Grant from the Massachusetts Historical Commission for this project. This request for CPA funding would provide the required match for the grant. The project scope of the Fort Lee Preservation and Management Plan will: o Update documentation and mapping of Fort Lee’s historic cultural landscape, o Perform a current conditions assessment, o Identify and evaluate erosion and other degradation threats, and o Prepare prioritized preservation strategies, including necessary improvements for: ▪ stabilization and preservation of the earthwork fort, ---PAGE BREAK--- 13 ▪ conservation and rehabilitation of the park’s landscape, ▪ pedestrian circulation and ▪ opportunities for public interpretation. Project tasks will include state-of-the-art documentation methods that will result in the creation of 3D models, aerial photographs and illustrated renderings to facilitate public understanding and appreciation of the fort. Throughout the project, the City of Salem will collaborate with a diverse cross-section of local stakeholders engaged in preservation, recreation and environmental endeavors to create a shared vision for Fort Lee that will balance preservation, environmental sustainability and visitation to the historic site. The project will culminate in the Fort Lee Preservation and Management Plan, which will include a prioritized list of preservation and conservation recommendations with cost estimates and fundraising strategies; conservation plans to address at risk historic earthwork features and natural features; design plans for landscape preservation and improvements that preserve the fort’s historic integrity while enabling continued public access; and a maintenance and management plan that addresses routine care of the site, seasonal considerations and long-range upkeep. TIMELINE PHASE DESCRIPTION DATES Phase I STLS Survey and Research November 2024 – March 2025 Phase II Documentation and Assessment of Existing Conditions January 2025 – April 2025 Phase III Recommendations with priorities, phasing and estimated costs April 2025 - July 2025 Phase IV Final Plan September 2025 CPC RECOMMENDATION: The Community Preservation Committee voted unanimously to recommend funding this application at $36,000. The CPC voted to recommend $36,000 from the Fund Balance. ---PAGE BREAK--- 14 APPLICANT: City of Salem/DPCD PROJECT TITLE: Broad Street Cemetery Table Tomb Restoration PROJECT LOCATION: 5 Broad Street CPA CATEGORY: Historic Resources: Rehabilitation/Restoration CPC PRIORITY RANKING: High CPC RECOMMENDED CPA FUNDING: $20,000 CPC RECOMMENDED SOURCE: $20,000 – Fund Balance PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The City of Salem submitted a request for $20,000 to restore a deteriorated brick and marble table tomb in Broad Street Cemetery. This tomb is located in the highly visited south side of the cemetery between the Corwin monument and the Pickering tomb. Broad Street Cemetery was established by 1655 and is the second oldest burial ground in Salem. One of five historic burial grounds owned by the City, Broad Street Cemetery contains an exceptional collection of historic marble, slate, and granite headstones as well as some of the City’s most elaborately designed tombs. Like Charter Street and Howard Street Cemeteries, Broad Street Cemetery has a number of large above ground box and table tomb markers for underground tombs. While most are designed as a granite slab, some of the tombs at Broad Street Cemetery feature delicate marble elements, while others are constructed in brick. One of these brick table tomb markers, located next to the wood picket fencing on the southern boundary of the cemetery, was recently vandalized with bricks removed and displaced and its marble ledger (top) dislodged. This deteriorated condition is a blight to the cemetery and is encouraging more people to remove bricks and further dislodge the table top in attempts to view into the tomb. In addition, the condition of this tomb is a safety hazard for cemetery visitors. For this project, the City will contract with a qualified conservator to provide conservation treatment for the historic box tomb. An experienced conservator has reviewed the condition of the Broad Street Cemetery tomb marker and recommended that the tomb be fully restored and not patched due to its extensive deterioration. This work would include the following: • Documentation of existing conditions. • Removal of remaining concrete parging with hand tools. • Careful removal of marble ledger tablet and consolidation as needed. • Deconstruction of brick box tomb. • Reconstruction of box tomb utilizing original bricks with in-kind replacement bricks as needed and new mortar to match original historic mortar color and composition (cement/lime/sand). • Resetting of marble ledger tablet. Tablet to be secured with soft mortar. • Tomb to be re-parged in stucco if determined to be original finish. • Final treatment report. ---PAGE BREAK--- 15 All work performed will be in accordance with the Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice of the American Institute for the Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works (AIC). FINANCIAL: TIMELINE: The project is anticipated to begin on or around September 1, 2024 and be completed in full by December 2024. CPC RECOMMENDATION: The Community Preservation Committee voted unanimously to recommend funding this application at $20,000. The CPC voted to recommend $20,000 from the Fund Balance. ---PAGE BREAK--- 16 APPLICANT: St. Peter’s Church PROJECT TITLE: St. Peter’s Church Bell Tower Restoration PROJECT LOCATION: 79 St. Peter’s Street CPA CATEGORY: Historic Resources: Rehabilitation/Restoration CPC PRIORITY RANKING: High CPC RECOMMENDED CPA FUNDING: $225,000 CPC RECOMMENDED SOURCE: $225,000 – FY25 Budgeted Reserve PROJECT DESCRIPTION: St. Peter’s Church submitted a request for $225,000 for restoration of the building’s bell tower. St. Peter’s Church was founded in 1733 on land given by Philip English who was a wealthy Salem merchant accused, with his wife, of in 1692. The current church is the second building on the site and was built in 1833 of Cape Ann granite by very prominent architect, Isaiah Rogers. It is renown as one of the “most outstanding ecclesiastical structures of its style and type in the United States.” (Architecture in Salem: An Illustrated Guide; Tolles, Bryant F. and Tolles, Carolyn University Press of New England, 1983.) The parish was recently awarded a National Fund for Sacred Spaces grant of $250,000 for the restoration of the church building including its tower, chapel and undercroft areas. This 2:1 matching grant requires the church to raise $500,000 for the project. The requested CPA funds will focus on the church tower, which is in need of extensive restoration to stabilize the bell tower floors and supporting joists and to stop water infiltration that is entering the building interior from the tower and threatening both. The project will also restore the large clear glass lancet window facing St. Peter Street, return the oldest church bell in the United States to full swinging functionality, replace the four side quatrefoil frames, replace the older rubber roof with a long lasting copper roof, and otherwise ensure that this historic treasure from Salem’s past is safe and fully functional for the next 300 years. This church tower historic preservation project is the highest priority of the overall church preservation project because the tower’s structural integrity and watertightness ensure the structural integrity of the church building itself and that its historic esthetics are properly preserved. The public benefit of historic preservation of St. Peter’s is to ensure its continued presence as a part of the historic Salem landscape for future generations. Literally hundreds of thousands of tourists walk Salem streets every year, and nearly every tour group, and so many locals and visitors alike, seek out St. Peter’s long history and see it still in active use and beauty today. ---PAGE BREAK--- 17 FINANCIAL: TIMELINE: Parish Fundraising for Project March 2024-September 2025 the parish capital campaign will raise approximately $500,000 from grants and individual gifts. Construction Timeline from CPA Grant Award Date From date of CPA award, several months time is anticipated for project coordination with the construction slated for early 2025. CPC RECOMMENDATION: The Community Preservation Committee voted unanimously (Greel abstained) to recommend funding this application at $65,000. The CPC voted to recommend $65,000 from the FY25 Budgeted Reserve. Work must adhere to the Secretary of the Interior Standards for Treatment of Historic Properties. ---PAGE BREAK--- 18 APPLICANT: Historic New England PROJECT TITLE: Phillips House Carriage Barn Restoration PROJECT LOCATION: 34 Chestnut Street CPA CATEGORY: Historic Resources: Rehabilitation/Restoration CPC PRIORITY RANKING: Medium CPC RECOMMENDED CPA FUNDING: $25,000 CPC RECOMMENDED SOURCE: $25,000 – FY25 Budgeted Reserve PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Historic New England submitted a request for $62,500 in support of exterior preservation work at the ca. 1821 Phillips House Carriage Barn, which is part of the Phillips House Museum complex on Chestnut Street. Work will include masonry repointing, window conservation and repair of wood trim and roof slate. Phillips House is located at 34 Chestnut Street and is a contributing resource in both the Chestnut Street National Register Historic District and the McIntire Local Historic District. As part of the McIntire Historic District, Phillips House is noted in the McIntire Historic District Architectural Walking Trail, and is one of the few properties on the trail open to the public. It is also a designated Massachusetts Historic Landmark. The Phillips House Carriage Barn is a prominent feature of the museum site – a large, brick, Federal- style structure visible from Chestnut Street and open to the public as a featured highlight of Phillips House tours. It displays a remarkable collection of the Phillips family’s antique cars and carriages, including a 1929 Model A Ford, a 1924 Pierce Arrow Touring Car, and a 1936 Pierce Arrow Limousine. The museum grounds are open to the public daily from dawn to dusk at no cost. Active leaks and areas of moisture infiltration at the Phillips House carriage barn threaten the structure’s integrity and program of use. The proposed work will mitigate the existing threat of water infiltration and ensure the retention of significant historic fabric that is essential to the character of the Chestnut Street streetscape. Preserving the exterior of the carriage barn will maintain the integrity of the structure while ensuring that the unusual collections within are protected and continue to draw visitors to Salem and to the Phillips House. The Phillips House has a restricted endowment that offsets operating expenses and projects at the site but does not generate enough revenue to solely fund large capital projects. Historic New England’s professional preservation staff have identified the following priority projects to pursue at Phillips House over the next five years: the subject carriage barn preservation ($125,000), fence repairs ($100,000), drainage improvements ($200,000), and accessibility improvements ($350,000). Completing this ambitious work plan will not be possible without auxiliary funding and support from government, foundation, and private sources. Historic New England has also applied for a matching grant from the Massachusetts Historical Commission in support of this project. ---PAGE BREAK--- 19 FINANCIAL: TIMELINE: Activity Estimated Date (before or by) Notification of funding decision – Salem CPC Notification of funding decision – MHC June 30, 2024 Execute Memorandum of Agreement with CPC Finalize construction documents August 31, 2024 Quarterly status report to CPC Solicit bids from qualified contractors December 31, 2024 Quarterly status report to CPC Contractor evaluation and selection January 30, 2025 Quarterly status report to CPC Site mobilization April 15, 2025 Project work 50% complete May 31, 2025 Project work 100% complete June 30, 2025 Final reporting and close-out of project CPC RECOMMENDATION: The Community Preservation Committee voted unanimously to recommend funding this application at $25,000. The CPC voted to recommend $25,000 from the FY25 Budgeted Reserve. Approval is conditional that a Preservation Restriction be executed and filed at the Registry of Deeds and that all work must adhere to the Secretary of the Interior Standards for Treatment of Historic Properties. ---PAGE BREAK--- 20 APPLICANT: St. Nicholas Church PROJECT TITLE: St. Nicholas Church Cupola Restoration PROJECT LOCATION: 64 Forrester Street CPA CATEGORY: Historic Resources: Rehabilitation/Restoration CPC PRIORITY RANKING: Medium CPC RECOMMENDED CPA FUNDING: $25,000 CPC RECOMMENDED SOURCE: $25,000 – FY25 Budgeted Reserve PROJECT DESCRIPTION: St. Nicholas Church submitted a request for $72,270 to restore two cupolas on the historic St. Nicholas Orthodox Church. Work will include: replacement of all slates and copper flashing around bases of large front and small rear cupolas; install new copper apron around large cupola; remove, reinstall, and reseal window unit on large cupola; and repaint repaired surfaces. St. Nicholas Church was constructed in 1908-1911 and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Designed in the Exotic Revival style by noted Salem architect William Devereux Dennis, the church features a central tower and corner cupolas that are topped by metal-clad onion domes, which are a hallmark of the congregation’s Eastern European background. The building was described by architectural historian Bryant Tolles as “one of the finest Byzantine Revival ecclesiastical buildings surviving in New England. Located at the corner of Forrester Street and Webb Street, the building’s five highly visible cupolas and onion domes dominate the skyline along Collins Cove. The goal of this project is to ensure that the building’s unusual and complex architectural features are well-preserved through appropriate techniques and high-quality methods and remain capable of withstanding the vigorous weather conditions to which the church building is subject. Due to ongoing deterioration of the cupolas, which is allowing water to enter the building, the restoration of the building’s cupolas and domes is of an urgent nature. ---PAGE BREAK--- 21 FINANCIAL: TIMELINE: Pending CPA award in July 2024, the project is expected to take four months with completion expected by November 1, 2024 CPC RECOMMENDATION: The Community Preservation Committee voted unanimously to recommend funding this application at $25,000. The CPC voted to recommend $25,000 from the FY25 Budgeted Reserve. Approval is conditional that a Preservation Restriction be executed and filed at the Registry of Deeds and that all work must adhere to the Secretary of the Interior Standards for Treatment of Historic Properties. ---PAGE BREAK--- 22 APPLICANT: City of Salem PROJECT TITLE: Salem Willows Park Renovation – Phase II PROJECT LOCATION: 200 Fort Avenue CPA CATEGORY: Recreational Land: Rehabilitation/Restoration CPC PRIORITY RANKING: High CPC RECOMMENDED CPA FUNDING: $200,000 CPC RECOMMENDED SOURCE: $97,650 from Fund Balance $102,350 from FY25 Open Space/Rec Reserve PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The City is seeking CPA funds to support the implementation of the planned Salem Willows Phase II improvements. Proposed project improvements specifically include upgrading pedestrian pathways to meet ADA standards, removing pavement, adding greenspace, plantings, trees, and bioretention basins, and connecting the project area to the adjacent pier replacement project. This project will complete the design process and support upcoming construction, building off the permitting and preliminary archaeological surveying previously completed for Phase II and ongoing design development and intensive archaeological research, which has been funded in part by a previous CPA award. This project will continue Phase II project goals of improving accessibility, adding green space, strengthening park connectivity, building resilience, providing additional public waterfront and recreational access, and ensuring preservation of a beloved and historic community asset. Salem Willows is a 24.62-acre public park located on Salem Neck. It was established as a park in 1888. Oriented towards the northwest, the park is long and relatively narrow, occupying a section of coastline that runs from Camp Naumkeag in the west, wraps around Hospital Point, and follows Salem Willows Beach to the north of Juniper Point. The park faces out onto Beverly Harbor and the Danvers River and features views of the greater Salem Sound, Salem Harbor islands, and the Atlantic at its outermost point. Phase II is focusing on restoring a crucial 1.5-acre part of this park that stretches from the replacement pier to the end of the historic tree allée and across to the landmark gate. This project area has degraded over time with some conditions continuing to deteriorate. In particular, recent storm events have further exacerbated coastal erosion in this area of the park. The adjacent replacement pier project will help to mitigate these impacts. The landward connection to the restored pier will be raised three feet, and a new retaining wall will be installed for added protection from sea level rise. The Phase II project and the pier team are collaborating on how best to respond to erosion at the interface of the two projects, where the existing revetment is exposed. The project area currently features an excess of pavement and limited opportunities for seating, shade, community gathering, and programming. The Phase II improvements will remove excess pavement and restore these areas with landscaping, plantings, porous pavement, bioretention areas, and outdoor ---PAGE BREAK--- 23 furniture. These changes will strengthen the recreational, social, and environmental value that other parts of the Willows already provide to its many long-standing park users and neighboring residents. Embedded in these improvements are also efforts to build resilience and sustainability to preserve this park space for continued use and benefits as a key community asset. The project area is exposed to a confluence of environmental impacts, including extreme heat and storm events. This project will utilize the principles of green infrastructure and plant new trees to mitigate urban heat island effect and provide more shade for park users in the summer. Restored landscaping and bioretention areas will increase capacity for stormwater storage and ground infiltration. In addition, the plant palette will be selected to provide ecological value to the landscape and support the local ecosystem of birds and insects that inhabit the area. After establishment, plants will need minimal maintenance. Lastly, there are existing overhead wires within the project site that the project will eliminate, improving the safety and overall resilience of the park. TIMELINE Spring 2024: • CPA application – late March 2024 • Notification of CPA Funding Application – April 2024 • Design Complete – late April/early May 2024 • Bid Project – May into June 2024 Summer 2024: • General Contractor under contract – July 1, 2024 • CIP funds become available – July 1, 2024 Fall 2024: • Construction start – TBD, contingent on adjacent pier project. Winter 2024 - 2025: • Construction continues, weather permitting. Spring 2025: • Construction complete – June 2, 2025 CPC RECOMMENDATION: The Community Preservation Committee voted unanimously to recommend funding this request at $200,000. The CPC voted to recommend $97,650 from the Fund Balance and $102,350 from the FY25 Open Space & Recreation Reserve. ---PAGE BREAK--- 24 APPLICANT: City of Salem/Early Childhood Center PROJECT TITLE: Bentley School Playground Shade Structure PROJECT LOCATION: Bentley School, 25 Memorial Drive CPA CATEGORY: Outdoor Recreation CPC PRIORITY RANKING: High CPC RECOMMENDED CPA FUNDING: $59,000 CPC RECOMMENDED SOURCE: $59,000 – Fund Balance PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The Early Childhool Center (ECC) submitted a request for $59,000 to construct a permanent shade structure for the public playground at ECC at the Bentley School. The ECC is a public preschool serving 130 children ages 3-5. The ECC is an integrated preschool where typically-developing children and those with special needs learn side-by-side in integrated classrooms and playspaces. The playground located at the ECC is owned by the Department of Park, Recreation & Community Services and is open to the public outside of school hours. The scope of work includes design, procurement of materials, construction, and installation of the shade structure. A 2022 playground study conducted by Salem Public Schools identified the lack of shade as an urgent need for this site. Currently, the pour-and-play surfacing can reach 125 degrees in the sun Shade is required for Pre-K by state law and this project is crucial to address the need for sun protection in the playground, ensuring the safety and well-being of children during outdoor activities. By providing this essential amenity, the project preserves the character of the city as a place that prioritizes the health and safety of its youngest residents and fosters community engagement in outdoor recreational spaces. The shade structure will create a more usable play space for preschool children who use this playground daily, as well as children in the broader community. In addition, the shade structure will allow for more frequent and comfortable use of the space during rainy weather, including outdoor classes for the ECC. ---PAGE BREAK--- 25 FINANCIAL: TIMELINE: 7/1/24: Funds received 7/30/24: Shade structure ordered 8/15/24: Out to bid 9/30/24-11/30/24: Shade installed based on contractor schedule CPC RECOMMENDATION: The Community Preservation Committee voted unanimously to recommend funding this application at $59,000. The CPC voted to recommend $59,000 from the Fund Balance. ---PAGE BREAK--- 26 APPLICANT: City of Salem/DPCD & Park/Rec PROJECT TITLE: Curtis Park Design PROJECT LOCATION: 19 March Street CPA CATEGORY: Outdoor Recreation CPC PRIORITY RANKING: High CPC RECOMMENDED CPA FUNDING: $20,000 CPC RECOMMENDED SOURCE: $20,000 – Fund Balance PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The City submittd a request for $20,000 for the redevelopment of Curtis Park, an existing City owned park in the Bridge Street Neck neighborhood. The City previously received CPA funding for the park design and is now seeking additional funds to complete the design and construction. Curtis Park is a community park available to be used by all residents of Salem. In addition to Bridge Street Neck residents, the park serves the students and faculty of Carlton Elementary School. The park contains a playground, basketball court, and playing field. Currently, the of the park is in deteriorated condition with missing elements on play structures, compacted mulch at the play structures that in some cases sits more than a foot below curbing, and significant erosion on playing fields. As is, Curtis Park is not ADA compliant. The project’s scope is to redevelop and improve the Curtis Park grounds. The park will undergo a scheme change - the playground area and playing field will swap location. The playground and equipment will be relocated to where the current playing field is and will be upgraded with ADA compliant rubber surfacing and new ADA compliant play structures. The area where the playground is currently will be swapped to the playfield area. The redevelopment of Curtis Park will enhance the character of the neighborhood by giving much needed upgrades to the playing field and playground. The new playing field will be fitted with a more robust and sustainable grass seed that will not erode from use. New more engaging play structures will be added to the play area, which will be covered in a rubber surface to allow for all users to access the play structures. In addition, the park pavilion will be enlarged and new furnishings will be added. ---PAGE BREAK--- 27 FINANCIAL: TIMELINE: Preliminary design for the Curtis Park renovation is complete. The City is applying for a PARC grant in July 2024. CPC RECOMMENDATION: The Community Preservation Committee voted unanimously to recommend funding this application at $20,000. The CPC voted to recommend $20,000 from the Fund Balance.