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BIW vs. South End Homes Status Report
by Judy Barrington
Under the leadership of HDARC chairperson Betsy Donovan and her Committee, SPI has been working with BIW to find a new resting place for 564 Washington Street. This building now resides on Navy property next to the Supervisor of Ships Building. To some it is considered an eyesore, to others it is a security risk, but to us it is a fair piece of Federal architecture with a long and interesting though not very distinguished history.
BIW has stated firmly that this house has got to go within the next month or so. They are willing to give it away free to anyone who wants it. As of May 22nd there are several people interested enough in the old Lemont Homestead to visit the site and present proposals to SPI and BIW for removal to another site. Thanks mostly to Betsy, the Portland Press Herald, Times Record and Channel 8 have done stories on the building’s plight. On May 22 the committee toured the building with BIW and prospective home owners. The house was documented inside and out with photographs by committee members.
The committee is working with BIW on a protocol to use in assessing the applicants according to their knowledge of moving older homes, the availability of land, and their restoration plans. We would prefer someone who will restore the house and not just take it just because it is free. It is not known yet whether the best way will be to move it whole, cut it in half, or to dismantle the building, number all the pieces and then re-erect it again on another location. If all else fails, we have an Architectural Salvage person waiting in the wings. We hope it doesn’t come to that.
602 Washington St. was the original homestead of the Rogers Hardware Store family. Built in the 1890’s, this building also has to be removed, but it has at least 6 months to a year more of life on its present site. We will report on its fate in later issues.
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