VICTORY!! THE CITY OFFICIALLY BLOCKED THE DEMOLITION OF 305 CHESTNUT AVENUE AND SAVED OUR HISTORY!! WE FOUGHT SO HARD FOR THIS BUILDING AND THE TRUTH IS THAT WE ACTUALLY PULLED IT OFF!! STAY TUNED BECAUSE WE ARE GOING TO KEEP A VERY CLOSE EYE ON THE PROPERTY TO ENSURE THIS …
July 2, 2021
Final supporters
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: email:
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Updates
Reached 250 supporters
April 17, 2021
Reached 100 supporters
April 16, 2021
104 Comments
I have lived in Jamaica Plain for over 40 years and I am sickened by the rampant destruction of beautiful buildings, as well as the displacement of longtime residents, by greedy developers. Maximizing profit should not be the primary goal of development projects.
As a rare example of Greek Revival architecture associated with a figure who figured prominently in the development of Jamaica Plain as as one of the nation's earliest streetcar suburbs, Fowle House is a prime candidate for designation as a Boston Landmark.
This house is one of the true architectural treasures of JP -- it MUST be saved! It's not too late, structurally, to restore the building and convert it to condos, which could make the project work economically.
We live 2 houses up the street. Have know the owner since 1983; please please preserve his home and his legacy as a journalist and historian. Please look up David Alan Mittlel, Jr. (and Sr.) - both important to the history of Jamaica Plain.
I grew up at 299 Chestnut, and am now back with my wife and 2 year old daughter. All of us vehemently oppose demolition of this property. As the oldest house on the street it's a piece of history, and in the right hands it could absolutely be properly restored. Replacing it with anything else would be a tragedy.
This structure has a wonderful spirit.
My family knows the owner and made a very fair offer on this home in 2020. We were willing to sign and commit to preserving the home to the best of our ability (There is asbestos in the basement and it is rotting on the inside) and we did not want to build condos, and wanted to preserve the architectural details. We were turned down by the owner. Like a previous commenter said - the owner has spurned repeated offer from groups eager to preserve the home.
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VICTORY!! THE CITY OFFICIALLY BLOCKED THE DEMOLITION OF 305 CHESTNUT AVENUE AND SAVED OUR HISTORY!! WE FOUGHT SO HARD FOR THIS BUILDING AND THE TRUTH IS THAT WE ACTUALLY PULLED IT OFF!! STAY TUNED BECAUSE WE ARE GOING TO KEEP A VERY CLOSE EYE ON THE PROPERTY TO ENSURE THIS …
July 2, 2021
Final supporters
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: email:
_
Updates
Reached 250 supporters
April 17, 2021
Reached 100 supporters
April 16, 2021
104 Comments
Every effort should be made to restore the old homes that give JP its character & charm. Every time an old house or tree comes down here, it leaves a hole that makes JP a less desirable place to live. We need to preserve history, not tear it down
I have lived in Jamaica Plain for over 40 years and I am sickened by the rampant destruction of beautiful buildings, as well as the displacement of longtime residents, by greedy developers. Maximizing profit should not be the primary goal of development projects.
As a rare example of Greek Revival architecture associated with a figure who figured prominently in the development of Jamaica Plain as as one of the nation's earliest streetcar suburbs, Fowle House is a prime candidate for designation as a Boston Landmark.
This house is one of the true architectural treasures of JP -- it MUST be saved! It's not too late, structurally, to restore the building and convert it to condos, which could make the project work economically.
We live 2 houses up the street. Have know the owner since 1983; please please preserve his home and his legacy as a journalist and historian. Please look up David Alan Mittlel, Jr. (and Sr.) - both important to the history of Jamaica Plain.
I grew up at 299 Chestnut, and am now back with my wife and 2 year old daughter. All of us vehemently oppose demolition of this property. As the oldest house on the street it's a piece of history, and in the right hands it could absolutely be properly restored. Replacing it with anything else would be a tragedy.
This structure has a wonderful spirit.
My family knows the owner and made a very fair offer on this home in 2020. We were willing to sign and commit to preserving the home to the best of our ability (There is asbestos in the basement and it is rotting on the inside) and we did not want to build condos, and wanted to preserve the architectural details. We were turned down by the owner. Like a previous commenter said - the owner has spurned repeated offer from groups eager to preserve the home.
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Every effort should be made to restore the old homes that give JP its character & charm. Every time an old house or tree comes down here, it leaves a hole that makes JP a less desirable place to live. We need to preserve history, not tear it down