Historic Board

LOWELL HISTORIC BOARD MINUTES Mayor’s Reception Room, Lowell City Hall December 13, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. Note: These minutes are not completed verbatim. For further detail, contact the Lowell Historic Board, Lowell City Hall, Room 51, 375 Merrimack Street or refer to video recordings available online at www.LTC.org. Members Present: Jeffrey Harris, Chairman; Lisa “LC” Cassidy, Troy Depeiza, Aurora Erickson, Kerry Regan Jenness, Richard Lockhart, Christine McCall, Members Absent: George Villaras, James Wilde Others Present: Stephen Stowell, Administrator The following represents the actions taken by the Historic Board at the 12/13/2021 meeting. Due to the COVID‐19 pandemic, this meeting occurred in hybrid form, both in‐person and via the Zoom video conferencing platform. Chairman Harris called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. 1. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. DLHD‐22‐14: 657 Middlesex Street The Lowell Boys & Girls Club Building (1973). Application for a Historic Permit by Patrick Tighe for exterior rehabilitation, construction of additions, and associated site improvements pursuant to the Lowell Historic District Act (Chapter 566, Acts of 1983). On Behalf: Richard Feldman, Feldman Development Partners Joe Hungler, Boys and Girls Club of Greater Lowell Patrick Tighe, Tighe Architecture J. Hungler introduced and described the proposed project while P. Tighe presented in‐depth plans and photographs. Speaking in Favor: None Speaking in Opposition: None LOWELL HISTORIC BOARD Page 2 12/13/21 MINUTES Discussion: T. Depeiza complimented the applicant on the presentation and said it was appreciated. He noted that the scale of the building was thoughtful and has an almost museum feel to it, a timeless quality. He said that the time and effort put into the design was appreciated, that the various new additions integrate well with the existing building. C. McCall said that this is a great project and will transform the entrance to the neighborhood. A. Erickson appreciated the project team working with Jane Calvin from the Parks and Conservation Trust regarding the tree selection. K. Jenness said that the presentation and project are great, that the transformation will be amazing. The Chairman said that given the location in the District that it presented an opportunity to do something contemporary with the additions and renovation. He noted that many of the changes are angular and rectilinear and was curious about the arch at the entrance. P. Tighe said there was a lot of back and forth regarding the entrance and input was also gathered from the club’s youth clients, that the arch evolved from their input. L. Cassidy requested that the project team provide vibration monitoring of the adjacent canal walls, including condition surveys, for the duration of the project. R. Feldman noted that this would be part of the project. Motion: By C. McCall, seconded by L. Cassidy, to: Vote to issue the Historic Permit for the exterior rehabilitation, construction of additions, and associated site improvements at 657 Middlesex Street in the Downtown Lowell Historic District conditional upon the following: 1. Submittal, review, and approval of material and color samples for masonry/mortar, fiber cement panels, glass, metal, and paint. On‐site samples will be required for review and approval prior to commencement of individual work items; 2. Submittal, review, and approval of final design details and/or shop drawings for window and door systems prior to commencement of work; 3. Submittal, review, and approval of final design and construction details including, but not limited to, site/landscaping features and plantings; mechanical equipment; roofing/flashings; any roof elements such as headhouses, elevator penthouses, decks/railings/planters, and solar panels; lighting including traditional fixtures, security lighting, and architectural lighting; cameras; and building signage prior to commencement of individual work items; 4. Coordination with Lowell National Historical Park on the design, specifications, and installation of root barriers for any proposed new trees adjacent to the 20 foot future Canalway path setback to prevent adverse root system impact to the canal wall and pathway; 5. Future mural to be applied for separately under the City’s mural ordinance and Historic Board’s mural policy; LOWELL HISTORIC BOARD Page 3 12/13/21 MINUTES 6. Vibration monitoring of adjacent canal walls to take place during construction including preconstruction, in progress, and post construction surveys; and 7. Submittal, review, and approval of any scope of work alterations and final details prior to commencement of individual work items. Work is consistent with Sections 3.1 and 3.2 of the Design Review Standards for the Downtown Lowell Historic District. Unanimously approved, 7‐0. 2. MINUTES Approval of the Minutes of October 18, 2021 Motion: By C. McCall, seconded by L. Cassidy, to: Approve the minutes of October 18, 2021 Unanimously approved, 7‐0. 3. OTHER BUSINESS A. Enforcement/Violations Update Since the November update, efforts are continuing to address signage and maintenance in the District. Work continues with Economic Development Assistant Tom Lamond to assist businesses with DPD’s Sign and Façade program assistance as well as Historic Board Sign Grants. Several businesses have removed lit “open” signs that have crept in during the pandemic and work continues to assist them and others on signage needs. Tom and the Administrator will be meeting next week to continue coordination between the various incentive programs and visiting additional businesses. A more long‐term, or seasonal effort, focuses on minimum maintenance. To recap, documentation and notices are in the process of being wrapped up with the goal to have all permitted and ready to go as soon as winter clears. These projects are very much seasonal and involve painting for the most part that cannot be undertaken in the colder temperatures. These buildings include –  101 Central Street (Mansur Building) – unauthorized ground floor painting and door replacement, rear ell painting)  147 Central Street (Bradley Block aka Saab Building) – ground floor storefront repairs, painting, mismatched doors  10 Kearney Square (Fairburn Building) – minor storefront stall riser glass repair in one area  1 Merrimack Street (Simpson Block) ‐ ground floor storefront repairs, painting  45 Merrimack Street (Hildreth Building) ‐ ground floor storefront repairs, painting  123 Merrimack Street – ground floor storefront repairs, painting  133 Merrimack Street (Thompson Building) ‐ ground floor storefront repairs, painting  169 Merrimack Street (Welles Block) ‐ ground floor storefront repairs, painting LOWELL HISTORIC BOARD Page 4 12/13/21 MINUTES B. Administrator’s Report Upcoming Projects Several projects are in the review stage and will require public hearings. Among the projects are the rehabilitation of both 62 Gorham Street and 80 Gorham Street which should be on the Board’s January agenda. In addition, a proposed affordable housing project at 733 Broadway Street is in design review as well that may also be on the January agenda. City Hall Stained Glass – Community Preservation Act The Administrator will be presenting the City Hall stained glass restoration project to the Community Preservation Committee on December 16. The project was deemed eligible and involves the restoration of all 24 windows in City Hall for approximately $473,000. The Administrator has also been providing guidance to those CPA projects with an historic preservation component. Open/Closed Signs As previously noted, since 1989 the Board has provided custom oval open/closed signs for businesses in the DLHD. Unfortunately these have run out and a new supply will be ordered from the sign company who has been providing them over the years. 200 will be ordered and will cost $3,500. It is hoped to have them in hand sometime in February. While businesses aren’t required to use them as traditional open/closed signs can also be used (not those of the lit variety obviously), businesses have liked these signs and they’re also another engagement and outreach tool at the Board’s disposal to assist businesses, like sign grants and design guidance. Lowell Sun Sign Contact has been made with the Lowell Sun and a meeting will be held after the first of the year to hopefully begin discussions to transfer the sign to the Sun Building owners, who still appear to be open to the possibility. An update to the estimate obtained last year will also be sought from the sign company experienced with the sign so it is expected that the $45,455 cost may increase slightly. As you recall, the sign would be converted to LED resulting in less maintenance and operation costs due to the longevity of the LED components and the fact they require far less power than neon. Downtown Bell Memorial As you recall, an October 25 the Lowell Heritage Partnership’s bell memorial on the green space at Prescott and Central streets in front of Eastern Bank suffered damage from a car accident. Work to repair the damage took place on December 9 and was undertaken by Will Soucy and Soucy Industries, the contractor who performed the initial installation in 2009. Jane Calvin and the Administrator, as LHP Board members, coordinated the work with the insurance company and contractor. LOWELL HISTORIC BOARD Page 5 12/13/21 MINUTES Downtown Lowell Historic District Building Markers 24 new markers are in the process of being developed that will be installed as they are fabricated. To date, 44 markers have been installed. Social Media Social media continues to be a very popular and effective community engagement and outreach tool for the Board. The Board’s Facebook page has 6,453 followers while individual posts continue to reach thousands. Other platforms include Twitter (718 followers), Instagram (1,454 followers), and Pinterest (26 followers). Next Meeting The Board’s next meeting is scheduled for Monday, January 10, 2022 at 6:00 p.m. in the Mayor’s Reception Room. The 2022 meeting schedule was included in the packet and has been posted on the Board’s website. 4. ADJOURNMENT Motion: By K. Jenness, seconded by T. Depeiza, to: Adjourn the meeting at 6:49 p.m. Unanimously approved, 7‐0. ATTEST: Stephen R. Stowell, Administrator ‐