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Longwood narrows Lewis House relocation options to Ryder Park site with Fire Station corner as backup
Summary
City staff presented six candidate locations for the Lewis House rehabilitation; the commission directed staff to prioritize a Ryder Park boardwalk location (site 1) with the Fire Station 15 corner (site 4) as a backup and to proceed with geotechnical studies and an RFP.
The commission continued a multi-meeting discussion Oct. 6 about where to relocate and rehabilitate the historic Lewis House. Staff presented six possible locations—multiple spots within Ryder Park, a corner of the Fire Station 15 property, the Warren Avenue entrance lawn area, and a Clock Tower Park option—and summarized pros, cons and cost-risk factors including geotechnical (muck) and drainage concerns.
Jason Byrne, president of the Longwood Historic Society, thanked the commission for prioritizing preservation and urged placement that maximizes visibility and public use. Staff said the top two sites recommended by the historic society were sites behind the pavilion and near the boardwalk in Ryder Park (staff labeled them 1A/1B in the packet) and noted that a geotechnical investigation would be required to evaluate soil stabilization costs.
Commission discussion focused on balancing visibility, event interference, restroom proximity and potential loss of green-space or vendor spaces. Commissioner McMillan favored keeping the house near park amenities and suggested integrating it with the new Fire Station property if feasible. Several commissioners and staff said they preferred a primary placement in Ryder Park (site 1) with site 4 (the Fire Station corner) as a backup if geotechnical or drainage issues increase costs.
Staff said next steps would be to pursue a detailed geotechnical investigation for the preferred site, prepare procurement documents and issue an RFP that prioritizes contractors with historic-structure expertise. The commission gave staff direction to advance work on site 1 with a vetted backup, and asked staff to return with cost estimates and an RFP timeline before committing city funds.
(Reporting note: locations and site numbers reflect staff presentation materials and the commission’s direction at the Oct. 6 meeting.)
