Commission issues letters of support for museum and preservation projects including Smith Museum, Wayfinders and Saint John’s Church
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Summary
The commission found several properties historic resources and issued letters of support for preservation projects: George Walter Vincent Smith Museum exterior work, Wayfinder affordable‑housing rehab on Byers Street, and Saint John’s Church exterior restoration including stained‑glass work and Deberry building repairs.
At its March 5 meeting the commission issued determinations of historic significance and letters of support for a set of preservation projects seeking grants or CPA funding.
The George Walter Vincent Smith Museum asked for support for exterior preservation work including repointing, repairing trim and replacing cracked terracotta tiles; commissioners found the museum a historic resource and approved a letter of support. The Fine Arts museum also requested in‑kind replacement of two Chestnut Street doorways (see separate article) and received a letter of support for in‑kind door replacement tied to operational security needs.
Wayfinder (formerly TAP) representatives described planned rehabilitation of multiple affordable housing buildings on Byers Street, noting prior Part 1/2 approvals, planned window replacements, masonry repointing and roof repairs. Commissioners voted to find those buildings historic resources and to issue letters of support to help leverage state funding and tax credits.
Saint John’s Congregational Church detailed completed phase‑1 work and requested funding to finish restoring 32 stained‑glass windows, complete Deberry building roof and porch repairs, and restore doors. Commissioners found the church an historic resource and agreed to issue a letter of support for CPA funding.
Commissioners emphasized that letters of support do not replace required preservation reviews but are intended to assist applicants seeking grant or CPA funding to complete preservation work.
