The proposed demolition and redevelopment of two South End institutions, United South End Settlements Harriet Tubman House and IBA's (Inquilinos Boricuas en Acción) Villa Victoria Center for the Arts (VVCA) at 85 West Newton have been deemed by their respective owner organizations too damaged for their respective organizations to repair, and both are facing demolition and redevelopment, much to the consternation of some in the community.
The Boston Planning and Development Agency's December 12 approval paves the way for New Boston Ventures' plan to redevelop 566 Columbus as a mix of residential ownership units, a community-oriented ground floor with an art gallery and café, and artist live/work housing.
Last month, the Inspectional Services Department (ISD) gave IBA 24 hours to produce a plan to secure 85 West Newton, either through restoration or demolition. Having spent over $10 million already to renovate the building, IBA filed a hardship petition to the South End Landmark District Commission to demolish the building. SELDC discussed the matter at its monthly meeting on December 3 and again on December 12. The December 3 meeting became a marathon that ended after midnight, leading to follow-up meetings later in December.
Opposition to the sale of the Harriet Tubman House, which was built in 1975, appeared soon after USES announced the sale of 566 in January, 2019. Organizations such as non-profit affordable housing advocates, Tenants Development Corporation (TDC), an office tenant at 566, decried the sale of the Harriet Tubman House, which is widely considered a pivotal site in African-American local history and which opponents fear will be replaced by luxury housing.
Opponents also challenge the legality of the sale based on stipulations made for the Tubman House's use at the time of its construction. USES, which led to prohibitive costs required for necessary remediations in the building, and that the $700,000 annual cost of maintaining 566 is financially threatening to USES's mission and programming. As recently as December 9, a community meeting of over 100 attendees held in the atrium of 566 was met with a protest outside the building.
On December 12, Maicharia Weir-Lytle, president and CEO of USES; David Goldman, principal of New Boston Ventures and Jonathan Garland, founder and president of Garland Enterprises, testified at a lengthy BPDA meeting on December 12 that included approval of redevelopment of 566 Columbus. The sale will reportedly yield $16.5 million for USES, and the new building will include 66 mixed income residences, including 11 artist live/work spaces; an art gallery that will be open to the public; 5,000 square feet of commercial space, half of which will be dedicated to community non-profit groups at below-market rent; and 42 parking spaces. USES spokesperson Emma MacDonald said in a statement that USES has moved its operations to 48 Rutland Street, and "New Boston Ventures has generously offered relocation services to all six non-profits in [566 Columbus]."
Eighty-five W. Newton St., built in 1899 as the All Saints Lutheran Church and parish house and acquired in 1980 by IBA for use as an arts/cultural space and pre-school, was under renovation beginning in 2017 when IBA was informed of major structural problems threatening the roof and steeple. IBA's hardship petition to demolish the arts center cites the poor condition of the building and the prohibitive cost of rehabilitation. In a written statement, IBA CEO Vanessa Calderón-Rosado said, "For over two years, IBA has been working with the South End Landmarks District Commission (SELDC) to discuss the redevelopment plans for 85 West Newton Street...We have approached the future of the building with the utmost respect and sensitivity to the character of and contributions to the South End district. For over five decades, we have preserved many historical buildings, and continue to do so currently with the rehab of the W Newton/Rutland apartments... Over the years, we have invested in capital improvements and fixes to the building. Two years ago, we began with a 2-phase plan to renovate it. As it turns out, we encountered profound structural deficiencies. The building currently poses a threat to public safety and has been condemned by ISD. We have very carefully studied and evaluated different options to preserve the building and, through expert consultants, have determined that it is not feasible for us to rehabilitate the property due to its current structural condition. To move forward with a historic restoration would threaten the financial future of IBA and hinder our ability to expand affordable housing, as well as provide a wide range of critical services and programs to our residents and low-income families across Boston. Due to the impossibility of this restoration and the financial hardship that such restoration would impose into IBA's assets, we have submitted a hardship application to the SELDC and requested permission for the careful removal of the entire building."
After the packed-house monthly meeting discussed 85 W. Newton on December 3, two more meetings dedicated solely to 85 W. Newton took place on December 12 and 17. According to SELDC spokesman Rory Cuddyer, 25 to 35 members of the public attended the December 17 meeting, and at IBA's request, discussion of the hardship petition will continue at the January 7, 2020 SELDC public meeting.
Local historian, author and South End News founding editor Alison Barnet reflected on the coming demolition of 85 W. Newton and 566 Columbus in a recent phone interview. Barnet said, "[566] has been an important social services site in the community," recalling not only the family and children's activities which remain the thrust of USES's mission but the senior activities, including weekday lunches, art program, dance and fitness classes formerly offered there.
Barnet also pointed out that 566 Columbus holds a unique place in local history in that it was the first big commission for Donald Stull, who was one of only a dozen black architects in the United States when he designed the building, which opened in 1974. Barnet also cited as significant the ground-floor mural to the next to the building's entrance, which commemorates community leaders and historic spots, such as the legendary Hi-Hat nightclub, which once stood at the 566 location. Barnet also expressed concern about how the new construction at 566 will meet community needs and will not fit in with the surrounding aesthetic. "[566] is not the greatest looking building, but look at Zero Worcester Square and the Lucas at the Holy Trinity Church. Those two buildings are terrible."
Barnet is also skeptical of the reasons behind the 566 sale, and is disappointed that the site of so many social service activities will soon be home to upscale housing units. Conversely, she feels that while the 85 W. Newton building is pretty, it is not that significant historically or aesthetically, and she feels IBA has acted in good faith in trying to find ways to preserve the building. "I believe that nothing can be done to save [85 W. Newton], and I respect that. I would hate to see a war between IBA and the neighborhood people."