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CITY OF SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS Kimberley L. Driscoll, Mayor Community Preservation Committee 120 WASHINGTON STREET ♦ SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS 01970 TELE: [PHONE REDACTED] ♦ FAX: [PHONE REDACTED] TO: Honorable City Council FROM: Jane A. Guy, Assistant Community Development Director on behalf of the Community Preservation Committee DATE: September 10, 2015 RE: CPC Recommendation for CPA Funding At its meeting of September 8, 2015, the Community Preservation Committee (CPC) voted to submit the following recommendations for Community Preservation Act (CPA) funding from the FY16 Budgeted Reserve for two historic resources projects. Salem Public Library – Brownstone and Brickwork - $60,000 (new project), with the following conditions: That the existing CPA project sign remain; That CPA funding only be used for structural repairs; and That the Library submit a report on how the funds were used. Dickson Memorial Chapel @ Greenlawn Cemetery - increase of $20,000 (from $86,000 to $106,000) 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 Summary: Two City of Salem applications were submitted to Massachusetts Historical Commission (MHC) for Massachusetts Preservation Project Funds (MMPF) and MHC recently made their awards. As a result, this has affected two potential Salem projects and the need to request/increase CPA funds. Salem Public Library – The Salem Public Library submitted a MPPF application with the hopes of receiving $100,000 for a $200,000 project. MHC awarded $60,000, which must be matched by at least $60,000. To access the MPPF funds, the project must be completed by the end of the fiscal year. The work involves correcting an emergency situation of deteriorated brownstone, which has resulted in the need to close the Children’s Courtyard due to the possibility of falling pieces. The CPC is recommending a $60,000 CPA project award to provide the matching funds needed to complete this emergency project. A detailed overview is attached. Dickson Memorial Chapel – The Department of Planning & Community Development submitted an application with the hopes of receiving $50,000 in MPPF funds for a project that would cost over $125,000. Unfortunately, the project was not awarded any funds. At $125,000, this is already a pared down project to address only the building’s most crucial needs. The repair and/or replacement of the exterior downspouts, repair and repointing of the brick masonry, and repair and repointing of the stone masonry buttress are needed to stop the water infiltration that is causing the interior stones to erode. Attached is the DPCD’s letter requesting the additional funding. ---PAGE BREAK--- The remainder of the scope of work is aimed at stabilizing the interior of the building by repairing the interior sandstone and terra cotta, including replacing approximately 20 badly damaged terra cotta units. In May, 2015, the City Council approved $86,000 toward the project and the CPC is recommending an increase of $20,000 for a total of $106,000. APPLICANT: Salem Public Library PROJECT TITLE: Brownstone & Brickwork PROJECT LOCATION: 370 Essex Street CPA CATEGORY: Historic Resources: Preservation CPC RECOMMENDED CPA FUNDING: $60,000 CPC RECOMMENDED SOURCE: $60,000 FY16 Historic Reserve CPC RECOMMENDED CONDITIONS: Keep existing CPA project sign in place; funds only used for structural repairs; provide a report on how the funds were used. PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The Trustees of the Salem Public Library have requested $140,000 in CPA to address weather envelope issues with repair and restoration of damaged brownstone that is severely eroded or in danger of falling, repoint the south and east façade bricks and address some window repair needs at the Library. The Salem Public Library, located in the McIntire Historic District, was originally erected in 1855 as a residence for the noted Captain John Bertram from designs drafted by Salem architects William H. Emmerton and Joseph C. Foster. The interior was remodeled in 1888 as a library and in 1911 architect Clarence H. Blackall of Boston added a stack wing to the rear of the building and two one-story, flat roof wings to the east and west sides. In 1987-88, architect Robert D. Farley remodeled the basement with an addition to the northeast side to accommodate the children’s library. 1980s improvements also included an elevator tower to the west side serving all floors and a children’s courtyard in the southeast inside corner of the building. In 2007 the Salem Public Library was awarded a Massachusetts Preservation Project Fund (MPPF) grant to remedy a number of water infiltration and weatherization problems. Work focused on replacement of the more than 150 year old slate roof of the 1855 Mansion and included repairs to the copper balustrades and replacement of the roof of the 1911 East Wing. Continuing work on the weather envelope the Library has since replaced three smaller flat roofs and, currently funded by a CPA grant, work is almost complete on replacement of the final flat roof at the rear of the library. To continue addressing the weather envelope issues SPL applied for an MPPF grant in 2013 for repairs to the building’s window frames and sills but the grant was not awarded. This spring, in preparation to resubmit the 2013 application for the windows, a survey of the building exterior was done by preservationist John Goff. He found more pressing problems - severely deteriorated brownstone at the belt-course level with the possibility of falling stones over the Children’s courtyard. Due to these findings the courtyard was immediately closed and the situation deemed an emergency. The weather envelope review also found window problems on the West and an area of structural concern on the North. With the scope of the proposed project changing, architect Robert Farley closely studied the bricks, mortar, sealants, and brownstone situation on the East and South elevations. He proposed to undertake a new emergency brownstone and brick repair project that would remediate the stone hazards while also completely repointing the East and South elevations and address some of the window repair needs. ---PAGE BREAK--- Based on a new 2015 grant application the Library was awarded a Round 21 MPPF grant for these proposed repairs. However as MHC could only provide $60,000, additional funds are now needed to keep this critical preservation project on track and to eliminate all emergency repair needs. The project is dependent on matching funds and the Library is seeking CPA funds to complete the project proposed by Mr. Farley. Letters of support of the application were provided by Senator Joan Lovely, Representative Paul Tucker, Salem Historical Commission, Stephen Russell (former Superintendent of Schools), North of Boston Library Exchange, Inc., Historic Salem, Inc., Bryant F. Tolles, Jr., and John and Alyce Davis at 374 Essex Street. TIMELINE: Due to the outside nature of the work, the time frame for the project is constrained by weather. Advertising, bidding and selection and contracting with the winning bidder will take place in Fall, 2015 and be completed before the New Year. The actual construction work should start in early spring as the project must be completed by June 30, 2016 to qualify for the MPPF grant award. CPC RECOMMENDATION: The Community Preservation Committee voted unanimously with Shea abstaining and Northcutt not present to recommend funding this application at $60,000 from the FY16 Budgeted Reserve. The CPC’s recommendation is subject to the following recommended conditions: That the existing CPA project sign remain; That CPA funding only be used for structural repairs; and That the Library submit a report on how the funds were used. ---PAGE BREAK--- ---PAGE BREAK---