2021 expedited q&a.docxCommittee Questions and Applicant Responses
Expedited Applications Summer 2021
Michelson Galleries
Have portions of the work already been completed?
No work has been started or scheduled to date. Some of the requests includes charges for estimates and assessments from the mason and the structural engineer which have already been
paid but they are not deposits on the restoration work.
If funded, would the applicant be willing to place a permanent Historic Preservation Restriction on the building?
My understanding is that the Historic Preservation Restriction is a document that gets drafted and its specifications are determined in conversation between the building owner and the
Community Preservation Board (or other entity) so we are not sure exactly what that would be agreeing to. But assuming that it applies to the front facing façade in question we would
have no objections to a restriction. The inside and rear of the building have already been altered since their inception and it is our understanding that no restrictions would apply
in either of those areas.
How will it be confirmed that the work meets the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Rehabilitation of Historic Properties?
The specifics of the restoration would need to be addressed with the mason but it is our understanding that no aesthetic changes are necessary or planned. The existing structures are
to be removed, the interior supports rebuilt, and the existing structures are to be replaced and secured. There should be no changes in the aesthetic. If there are non-structural
or decorative elements that need to be repaired we would need to have a more detailed discussion with the mason as to what needed to be done and if it would affect the final cost and
time frame but we are not aware of any such needs. The board or other body would need to provide specific requirements applicable to our building and we could proceed to investigate.
How will the facade be addressed if CPA funds are not recommended?
As of this point, funds are not available to proceed with the restoration, We will continue to investigate alternative funding options, though none appear to be available at this time.
If nothing surfaces we may be in a position that our only option would be to liquidate the building to an owner that would be able to do what is necessary to stabilize and preserve
it.
Hampshire-Hampden Canal
Please state the status and cost of the proposals that were to be received July 20th.
The RFP included as an attachment to the CPA application is a working draft that was submitted to MassHistoric for review and comment; it will not be able to be released
until funding for the work is available. July 20 was a working dater, but will be replaced with
2) Without proposals, how did you arrive at a figure of $90,000 for the project?
The project team consulted with the Massachusetts Historical Commission, which agency has experience dealing with comprehensive resource studies, and other communities who have been
involved with similar recent projects in developing a realistic cost estimate.