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Photo Mary Ann Bragg
The old fire station at the intersection of Court and Commercial streets, which may or may not be leaning against a neighboring building (right), may be structurally shot, a recent report of the town building inspector has revealed. |
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Selectmen mull over fate of Court Street firehouse
Future of former Freeman St. library also sparks discussion
Mary Ann Bragg
Banner Staff
PROVINCETOWN — The old wooden firehouse at the intersection of Court and Commercial streets may be beyond repair, the latest structural analysis has revealed.
The firehouse, which was built in 1900 and declared surplus in 1988, has attracted the attention of the selectmen as part of their attempt to figure out what to do with empty town buildings.
The verdict on the Court Street firehouse is not pretty, according to Building Inspector Richard Anderson. In his recent report, Anderson described his suspicions of rot and mold, exposure to weather, lack of structural support, peeling paint and water damage. Worse, Anderson said the building itself seems to be leaning, a finding that defies assurances to the contrary from within Town Hall in recent years.
“I think we should sell it,” Selectman David Nicolau said to his fellow board members at public hearings held Monday night to consider what to do with three empty town buildings: the Court Street firehouse, a second firehouse near Town Hall and the old public library at the corner of Freeman and Commercial streets.
The selectmen made no decisions on Monday except to meet this coming Monday to figure out a summer rental agreement for the old library building, perhaps with current tenant New England Deaconess Association.
In Inspector Anderson’s description of the two firehouses, he said the firehouse near Town Hall seemed structurally sound but had little else to recommend it. Nearly all the selectmen mentioned the use of the first floor of that firehouse as an unquestionable spot for local nonprofits to use for fundraising events. The old firehouse near Town Hall was built in 1925 and declared surplus in 1988.
It is the Freeman Street library building, though, that has attracted the most attention on Monday night. The Art Commission wants to store and display the town’s art collection there. The Cable Advisory Commission would like to house its PTV studio there. In a surprise proposal, Brewster resident and Hollywood costume and memorabilia collector John LeBold would like to rent the building for five years to create a museum and permanent home for his collection, which includes the blue gingham dress worn by actress Judy Garland in “The Wizard of Oz.”
mabragg@provincetownbanner.com
To read the entire text of this article, see this week’s Banner.
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Debate intensifies over Francis scholarship funds
In the News
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Jun 8th, 2006