To the editor:

Save Water Street is an ad hoc committee formed to oppose the demolition of 119 and 113 Water St., two contributing buildings in the Warren Waterfront Historic District. We need your help. The Warren Planning Board meets on Monday, Feb. 27 at 6:30 p.m. to hear arguments regarding the demolition of these buildings. Please join us in opposition to this proposal.

Daniel Teodoro is the owner of these properties and the adjacent Waterdog Kitchen and Bar. He has applied for the demolition permit to make way for construction of a large, modern apartment complex. The proposed building will detract from the historic character of Water Street and increase traffic and parking congestion.

Because Mr. Teodoro’s current plan includes three “affordable” rental units, he received approval for submission of a streamlined Comprehensive Permit application, which places the decision to approve the demolition of 119 and 113 Water St. solely before the Warren Town Planning Board. Additionally, this application asks the Board to approve 12 zoning variances including, but not limited to, variances for the height of the proposed building, setbacks, lot coverage, landscaping, and a reduction in the number and size of parking spaces. A lengthy list of variances suggests the proposed structure is not suitable for historic Water Street. You can review the entire “119 Water St-Comprehensive Permit Application Materials” on the Warren Planning Board webpage.

Warren’s historic architecture is a finite, irreplaceable resource. Numerous, fully renovated commercial and residential structures in the Historic District contribute to our identity as a unique, southern New England town with deep, colonial roots. Ironically, Mr. Teodoro is enjoying the marketing benefits of Waterdog’s historic character. Formerly the Nathaniel Porter Inn, Waterdog was extensively rehabilitated prior to Mr. Teodoro’s purchase of the restaurant. Accordingly, Save Water Street is asking Mr. Teodoro to withdraw the application for demolition of 119 and 113 Water St., allow contractors experienced in historic restoration to evaluate the cost of renovation, and consider rehabilitating these historic structures or selling them to a party or parties willing to do so.

Warren Preservation Society, Warren Heritage Foundation and Massasoit Historical Association have retained legal counsel to fight the demolition plan. The Warren Planning Board meets Monday, Feb. 27 at 6:30 p.m. to hear further from Mr. Teodoro’s legal counsel and the attorney representing Warren’s preservation groups. This meeting is open to the public and we need your support. Please join us Monday evening at Town Hall.

Joan Coltrain
1 Stonegate Road
Spokesperson, Save Water Street