search and vetting process can be to iden- tify the right curator. And it’s for good rea- son. “Buildings located in state parks with hundreds of acres of undeveloped property around them can be a draw or a deterrent,” Allen says. “The downside is being on state property brings with it things that don’t happen in other places. Digging a founda- tion has to be cleared through an archae- ologist to ensure you’re not digging into anything significant. If something is found, sometimes you have to stop digging so the archaeologist can examine the area.” That’s only the beginning. DCR often has
no trouble finding interested parties when it releases its request for proposals about a building in the program. “We initially get a huge wave of interest, but it’s amazing how quickly that narrows when people start to see not only what is involved with the rehab, but that they’re also under the auspices of the state for the next 30 years for changes they can make on the property,” Allen adds. “It’s really miraculous we’ve found the cura- tors we have.” In fact, there have been buildings that
don’t receive any legitimate proposals, but DCR doesn’t lose hope. For example, the 2-sto- ry Georgian-style Lamson House, also in Brad- ley Palmer State Park, needed a new septic system and experienced up to 4 feet of water in the basement every time it rained. “That scared most people away,” Allen says. “We put out an RFP on that home two previous times starting in the ’90s with no response. We did a little work over the years to keep it on life support until we could find the perfect partner. We put out an RFP again five years ago and found the perfect curator. The husband owns a construction company and is a licensed septic installer and drainage specialist. He has the equipment that would have been cost prohibitive for us or anyone else to hire. We had given that building up for lost because it was in such bad condition, but it is now be- coming a beautiful home again.” Before putting out an RFP, DCR
completes a thorough conditions as- sessment of the property with the help of engineers and architects to identify baseline preservation requirements. “We incorporate into the lease a work plan that includes all the things that need to be done to the property,” Allen remarks.
Before
Before
Glenledge Cottage Halibut Point State Park, Rockport, Mass. After
PHOTOS: MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION AND RECREATION
Willowdale Estate
Bradley Palmer State Park, Topsfield, Mass.
After
PHOTO: BHARAT PARMAR, COURTESY WILLOWDALE ESTATE May-June 2013 // RETROFIT 55
›››
›››
›››
›››
PHOTO: MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION AND RECREATION
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84