Worcester Hibernian Cultural Center requests $18,000 for facade investigation at Cahill House

Summary

The Worcester Hibernian Cultural Center requested $18,000 in historic resources funding to remove metal gates and entryway porches at the Cahill (K. Cahill) House to evaluate underlying brickwork and determine restoration needs; the applicant said the work is investigative and would inform future restoration scope.

Steve Belton, president of the Worcester Hibernian Cultural Center, asked the Community Preservation Committee for $18,000 in historic‑resources funding to remove two porch/entryway additions and metal gates at the Cahill House in order to evaluate the condition of the underlying brick and determine restoration needs.

Belton said the work is investigative—intended to expose and inspect the fabric beneath the additions so the organization can prepare a restoration plan. He said staff would like to undertake the investigation as early as July to assess whether more extensive restoration is required.

Committee members asked whether the façade was at imminent risk; Belton said he did not believe so and described the work as a needed step to develop an accurate restoration scope and budget. The CPC did not vote at the hearing; the application will be scored and included in CPC recommendations to city council.