To the editor:

This coming Monday, there will be a public hearing of the Warren Planning Board to review and possibly vote on the proposal by the owner of the Waterdog restaurant to demolish two historic buildings on Water Street and build a large, modern, out-of-scale, apartment building in their place. This meeting has been continued three times due to various reasons, but that time has not been wasted.

Over these three months, the community of Warren has rallied and accomplished a great deal. Residents have started a petition on Change.org to oppose this plan, which now has over 900 signatures, mostly from Warren. An ad-hoc group, Save Water Street, has printed flyers and signs opposing the plan which are being distributed around town. Warren’s three historic groups, the Warren Preservation Society, Warren Heritage Foundation, and Massasoit Historical Association, have already raised thousands of dollars and hired an attorney to oppose this plan.

What is it about preserving our historic buildings that speaks to us so clearly? In towns and cities around the world, preserving historic buildings and places does many things for us as individuals and communities. Historic preservation means saving the architecture, materials, workmanship, and scale of how people lived in the past. It also means preserving the styles, stories, and memories of those who lived in a place before us. Historic buildings and districts are distinct and eclectic in a way that no new construction can replicate. People like to live and work in historic buildings and districts because they keep us connected to the heritage of how we got here. Cities and towns who have embraced preservation and invested in their heritage have thrived over those that haven’t.

At the last Town Council meeting, the Town’s Tax Assessor gave an update on property revaluations in Warren. It was no surprise to hear that property values have increased dramatically. Home values are up about 37% and commercial real estate by about 39%. What was surprising to hear is that properties in the Water Street/Downtown area have shot up 55%! It’s no coincidence that this is also our Historic District.

One of the most overlooked aspects of preserving historic buildings and districts is its positive economic impact. Preservation has proven to boost real estate values, support local businesses, and stabilize local economies. There was a time when economic development and historic preservation were considered mutually exclusive, however today it is widely understood that they are mutually beneficial.

The negative economic, cultural, and environmental impacts of demolishing an historic building are many. Historic buildings are a finite resource, they’re not building them anymore. Like antiques, every one that gets demolished or destroyed makes those that remain even more rare. For 150 years, the two buildings at 113 and 119 Water Street have been housing for working people and space for small businesses, exactly what Warren still needs today. Town, state, and federal historic tax credits are available to incentivize preservation efforts.

The developer of this proposal has not met any of the three conditions for a waiver to demolish an historic building in Warren. These buildings need to be repaired and reoccupied to continue their place in the historic fabric of Warren. If you agree that our Historic District should be protected, come to the meeting this Monday, Feb 27 at 7:00pm to express your concerns.

Davison Bolster
53 State Street