Committee fast-tracks Firehouse Center elevator replacement after failed inspection and 90-day violation

The Newburyport City Community Preservation Committee voted to grant accelerated review for a request to replace an elevator at the city-owned Firehouse Center after presenters said the elevator failed inspection in December and the building received a 90-day violation notice.

Janza, president of the board at Jupiter House, and Nancy Caswell, who identified herself as a resident and the treasurer for the firehouse arts organization, told the committee the elevator is the only ADA-compliant route to restrooms and the theater. "We did not pass inspection in December and we were issued a 90-day violation notice from the state," Caswell said, adding that without a replacement the building will lose ADA access and the theater and a basement restaurant could be forced to close.

Caswell and Janza said the board has raised funds — including roughly $200,000 from the Archalian Foundation and about $60,000 from a recent gala — but that the project requires additional funds and a timely construction schedule to avoid high-season disruption. They estimated construction at 15–18 weeks and said rising contractor prices increased costs by about $100,000 in a year.

The committee moved and seconded a motion to approve expedited consideration so applicants can return to the committee with materials and so staff can prepare routing to the city council if the committee later recommends funding. The committee then approved the motion in a roll-call vote.

The accelerated-review approval advances the application to the committee's deliberation and, if recommended, to city council for the readings and any contract approvals needed to accept grants or allocate funds.