Petition to Save 305 Chestnut Avenue from the Wrecking Ball
Also known as “The John and William Fowle House Ca 1841”
We, the neighbors, homeowners and concerned community members around the Chestnut Avenue/Green Street Central Jamaica Plain neighborhood are urging the City of Boston to oppose the demolition of this historic home to make way for an undisclosed number of condominiums or townhouses on this lot.
The Home at 305 Chestnut dates back to approximately 1841 and is one of the oldest surviving homes in our neighborhood. The current owner, David Mittell, who has resided in the home for over four decades, is currently in a skilled nursing facility and may be unable to return to his home, as it has recently been condemned by the City of Boston.
The Boston Fire Department is in the process of making a motion to have the house put into receivership at the upcoming Housing Court hearing on April 21st at 9am (Docket #21H84DV000141). Unless the neighborhood can prevent the eventual disposal of the parcel by the city through an auction process to the highest bidder, regardless of their motivations, the most likely outcome is that we will see the house demolished and the density of the lot will be maximized with four or more new and unaffordable townhouses, lacking in the historical details and character of the Fowle House, and utilizing much of the existing open space to maximize their potential profits.
We urge the City and the Landmarks Commission (https://www.boston.gov/departments/landmarks-commission) to designate 305 Chestnut Avenue as an historic structure and that the eventual buyer be bound to restoring the characteristics of the site, restoring those elements that are salvageable, and not drastically alter the footprint of the existing building without a design review by the Neighborhood Council and the JP Historical Society.
Signature_________________________Address__________________________
Signature: Address:
Updates
April 17, 2021
I HAVE BEEN TALKING TO THE NEIGHBORS AND EVERYONE IS ABSOLUTELY DETERMINED TO SAVE THIS HISTORIC LANDMARK!! THE SILENCE FROM THE CITY IS LOUD BUT WE ARE NOT GOING ANYWHERE UNTIL THEY LISTEN TO US!!
April 17, 2021
LOOK AT THIS MOMENTUM!! THE ENERGY SURROUNDING THE FOWLE HOUSE IS ABSOLUTELY ELECTRIC AND PROVES THIS NEIGHBORHOOD REFUSES TO LET HISTORY BE ERASED!! WE ARE GAINING REAL TRACTION AND THE CITY HAS NO CHOICE BUT TO PAY ATTENTION NOW!!
23 Comments
The facade of this building is rare (Greek revival).It's age makes this one of the oldest buildings in the neighborhood. Both provide great value to the variety and diversity of housing stock in the neighborhood. These justify preserving the house. Funds raised by the Community Preservation Act can serve a dual purpose here of both rebuilding a home and preserving a cultural gem.
Stop destroying history for more pretty cookie cutter units. Character in architecture adds character to the any hood. It creates conversation. I attracts questions. Made my hand by immigrants who were artisans from everywhere here. My parents grew up in that neighborhood in 1050s, triple decker was a cold water flat. JP has gone through many transitions. This is art. It creates value where it stands. Renovate , repurpose, reuse and recycle. You’ll still make a mint but preserve a piece of 1841.
This historic structure should be saved
How many more houses need to be demolished before we realize we are loosing the character and history of our neighborhoods and City. This is death to a City by a thousand variances. SAVE THIS HOUSE!
It's so important to save historic buildings.
Restore it! Replace it ONLY with subsidized apartments.
I worry that JP is losing its unique character to cookie cutter townhouse projects that leave no green space and usually get sold to more well to do people.
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Petition to Save 305 Chestnut Avenue from the Wrecking Ball
Also known as “The John and William Fowle House Ca 1841”
We, the neighbors, homeowners and concerned community members around the Chestnut Avenue/Green Street Central Jamaica Plain neighborhood are urging the City of Boston to oppose the demolition of this historic home to make way for an undisclosed number of condominiums or townhouses on this lot.
The Home at 305 Chestnut dates back to approximately 1841 and is one of the oldest surviving homes in our neighborhood. The current owner, David Mittell, who has resided in the home for over four decades, is currently in a skilled nursing facility and may be unable to return to his home, as it has recently been condemned by the City of Boston.
The Boston Fire Department is in the process of making a motion to have the house put into receivership at the upcoming Housing Court hearing on April 21st at 9am (Docket #21H84DV000141). Unless the neighborhood can prevent the eventual disposal of the parcel by the city through an auction process to the highest bidder, regardless of their motivations, the most likely outcome is that we will see the house demolished and the density of the lot will be maximized with four or more new and unaffordable townhouses, lacking in the historical details and character of the Fowle House, and utilizing much of the existing open space to maximize their potential profits.
We urge the City and the Landmarks Commission (https://www.boston.gov/departments/landmarks-commission) to designate 305 Chestnut Avenue as an historic structure and that the eventual buyer be bound to restoring the characteristics of the site, restoring those elements that are salvageable, and not drastically alter the footprint of the existing building without a design review by the Neighborhood Council and the JP Historical Society.
Signature_________________________Address__________________________
Signature: Address:
Updates
April 17, 2021
I HAVE BEEN TALKING TO THE NEIGHBORS AND EVERYONE IS ABSOLUTELY DETERMINED TO SAVE THIS HISTORIC LANDMARK!! THE SILENCE FROM THE CITY IS LOUD BUT WE ARE NOT GOING ANYWHERE UNTIL THEY LISTEN TO US!!
April 17, 2021
LOOK AT THIS MOMENTUM!! THE ENERGY SURROUNDING THE FOWLE HOUSE IS ABSOLUTELY ELECTRIC AND PROVES THIS NEIGHBORHOOD REFUSES TO LET HISTORY BE ERASED!! WE ARE GAINING REAL TRACTION AND THE CITY HAS NO CHOICE BUT TO PAY ATTENTION NOW!!
23 Comments
30 years ago when I first moved to JP, Dave’s house was one of the first I visited. The original workmanship in the interior was magnificent. Please save this grand Dame! She’s worth it!
The facade of this building is rare (Greek revival).It's age makes this one of the oldest buildings in the neighborhood. Both provide great value to the variety and diversity of housing stock in the neighborhood. These justify preserving the house. Funds raised by the Community Preservation Act can serve a dual purpose here of both rebuilding a home and preserving a cultural gem.
Stop destroying history for more pretty cookie cutter units. Character in architecture adds character to the any hood. It creates conversation. I attracts questions. Made my hand by immigrants who were artisans from everywhere here. My parents grew up in that neighborhood in 1050s, triple decker was a cold water flat. JP has gone through many transitions. This is art. It creates value where it stands. Renovate , repurpose, reuse and recycle. You’ll still make a mint but preserve a piece of 1841.
This historic structure should be saved
How many more houses need to be demolished before we realize we are loosing the character and history of our neighborhoods and City. This is death to a City by a thousand variances. SAVE THIS HOUSE!
It's so important to save historic buildings.
Restore it! Replace it ONLY with subsidized apartments.
I worry that JP is losing its unique character to cookie cutter townhouse projects that leave no green space and usually get sold to more well to do people.
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30 years ago when I first moved to JP, Dave’s house was one of the first I visited. The original workmanship in the interior was magnificent. Please save this grand Dame! She’s worth it!