58-60 Purchase Street has come before the Newburyport Historical Commission for a Demolition Permit.

This is the two-family house next to the Methodist Church on Purchase Street. According to the Newburyport GIS map the house was built in 1879.

From what I understand, the applicants were very responsive to the Newburyport Historical Commission’s input last Thursday night, March 15, 2007. What a relief it would be if that receptiveness could continue.

This demolition application along with the proposed demolition of 64-66 Lime Street makes 3 demolition desires in one small area of the South End of Newburyport in the last month alone.

The informal meeting about the 64-66 Lime Street property is today:

7:00 PM
Tuesday
March 20, 2007
Newburyport City Hall

Moderated by Ward 2 City Councilor Gregory Earls.

(Proposed 64-66 Lime Street plot plan. PDF version. Courtesy of the Newburyport Preservation Trust).

And to quote from The National Architectural Trust again:

“Despite placement on the National Register and local efforts to protect the community, demolition, development and period inappropriate alterations and additions have effectively replaced one third of these historic (Newburyport) properties.”

One third of our historic assets lost and counting.

Mary Eaton
Newburyport