PRESERVE THE HISTORIC CHARACTER OF NEWTONVILLE
The stately Newton Senior Center at 345 Walnut Street visually anchors one end
of Newtonville’s village center, while the Masonic building anchors the other
end. It gives symmetry and beauty to the street. Constructed in 1938, the iconic
building represents the contribution of government and people in the struggle to
overcome the Great Depression. It is a part of our cultural, social, and
architectural history. Its loss would diminish Newtonville.
The building’s interior needs significant change. It is no longer adequate to our
seniors’ needs. But while we need improved internal space, we must keep
the historic character of the outside intact, not demolish it, as has recently
been proposed. Here’s why.
- Newtonville will lose a significant architectural and historic landmark.
- The new façade would seriously compromise the street’s visual coherence.
- We would lose the current setback, the front mini-park and other much needed green/open space.
- The building demolition violates the Comprehensive Plan goal that “new development should not damage the valued qualities of that which exists in the vicinity.”
Please maintain the facade of this important historic asset in Newtonville.
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