Phase One of the reconstruction of One Washington Square has begun. This phase, which is overseen by general contractor Wayne Construction, involves excavating the site, pourng the foundation, and building the first floor kneewall then capping it. Wayne Construction also built the new roof on the Howland House and is an experienced preservation contractor.

Yesterday, at the One Washington Square site, local contractor and sub, Pontes Excavating, excavated the site where the grand Queen Anne home will once again sit. Today, workers from New Bedford’s own Simmons Concrete were on hand to stake out the foundation. The entire scope of this phase is expected to take 3-4 weeks.

Phase Two – constructing the building’s frame – is scheduled to take place in late summer, early fall of 2012. Check back on WHALE’s website for the latest photos of the project.

Residents of the Washington Square neighborhood in the South End of New Bedford will be getting back an iconic property, the Queen Anne home located at One Washington Square. The majestic Queen Anne was slated to become WHALE’s 48^th preservation project when it was stolen from the neighborhood on January 20, 2008 by arsonists. A three alarm fire spread rapidly through the 126-year old wooden structure, ravaging the building and due to safety concerns, required complete demolition of the structure the following day.  Recently, WHALE purchased the vacant lot from the City of New Bedford with plans to give residents of the neighborhood what they have been asking for the past three years – their iconic house back proudly on its corner lot.

“The arson fire at One Washington Square was a tragedy for the neighborhood and the city,” said New Bedford Mayor Scott Lang. “We cannot let arsonists destroy our neighborhoods. We heard the residents of the Washington Square neighborhood loud and clear that they wanted their house back and the city responded appropriately by issuing an RFP for the reconstruction of the magnificent architectural building that was taken from us. Once again, the City is pleased to partner with WHALE to save our architectural heritage and character and to give back to this neighborhood and its residents what was taken from it. Future generations of New Bedford citizens will appreciate this reconstruction of a New Bedford landmark.”

The reconstruction of One Washington Square tops the list for historic preservation goals for the neighborhood in a neighborhood development plan led by residents in 2008.  The Washington Square Gateway Neighborhood Action Plan outlines short-, mid-, and long-term goals for the neighborhood in historic preservation, open space, streets and sidewalks, and safety.

“Washington Square residents said they wanted the house back and WHALE is in an unique position to do just that,” noted Lisa Bergson, WHALE executive director. “WHALE had completed all documentation necessary to restore the house before the fire and, as a result, now we can accurately reconstruct the house and fully meet national preservation standards.” Bergson notes that WHALE has been working on the plans for the reconstruction for a couple of years, but the project was put on hold to deal with the emergency situation at the Howland House. Since much of the stabilization work for the Howland House has been completed and the Howland House is no longer in danger of collapse, WHALE can turn its attention back to One Washington Square.  “One Washington Square is not just a house; iIt is a symbol of rebirth and revitalization for this neighborhood. Once it is completed, it will be a special place to live.”

“We agree with WHALE and the residents”, added Mayor Lang. “that One Washington Square was an iconic property that stood at a critical point in this neighborhood – a gateway to the County Street Corridor. It was one of the finest examples of Queen Anne architecture we have in New Bedford. Nothing else belongs on that triangle.”

Shortly after the groundbreaking, WHALE will begin Phase One construction at the site, which involves excavating, pouring the foundation, building the first floor kneewall , and capping it for the winter.  Wayne Construction will be handling this phase of the reconstruction. Next spring, WHALE is planning to start Phase Two construction – building the frame of the house.

Anyone who wishes to support this neighborhood revitalization project can make a contribution to WHALE’s Revolving Fund – a dedicated, restricted fund for preservation projects in New Bedford by clicking HERE.

For nearly two decades, the historic Second Empire mixed use building located at 24 Allen Street has been abandoned and forlorn.  But, not for long. Today, the building is on a path to rehabilitation and reuse – once again becoming a catalyst for revitalization and change at a key junction in the Washington Square neighborhood.  And, WHALE in partnership with the City of New Bedford has played a key role in making it happen.

The building sits at the busy intersection of Allen and County Streets, directly across the street from St. John the Baptist Church. Hundreds of cars pass it every day, but few people think to look up to see the details of this wonderful building on the corner.

“There was no doubt when we looked at the building,” said Lisa Bergson, executive director of WHALE, “that 24 Allen Street was an amazing piece of architecture and would be a challenging preservation project. The building needed all new systems, lacked parking, and remarkably, was still set up as it was originally built as a boarding house on the upper floors with two shared bathrooms down the hall. It was going to need a complete overhaul.”

The planned rehabilitation intends to retrofit this 8,000 square foot former mixed-use building into 12 quality, affordable residential units .

“Preservation is not for the faint at heart,” adds Bergson. “ It takes vision – seeing what something can be not what it is – and an understanding of what it can mean to the City, the neighborhood, and its future residents”.

The road to get here was a long one. More than two years ago WHALE began building a relationship with the elderly couple who owned the building in an effort to get it into the hands of a responsible owner who had the wherewithal to complete its rehabilitation. The couple had fond memories of the building from when they were growing up in New Bedford. It was a special place to them and with their help and foresight, it will be once again. Last November, WHALE successfully brokered and negotiated the sale of this magnificent property built in the 1880s to Community Action for Better Housing (CABH) – a local nonprofit , housing developer affiliated with Catholic Social Services.

“CABH is very excited about getting this project underway,” exclaimed Ed Allard, the agency’s project director. “This property can be seen as the ‘Gateway’ to the City’s South Central neighborhood and its redevelopment serves as an example of the mutually beneficial links between creation of affordable housing, historic preservation, and neighborhood revitalization.”

“We greatly appreciate the role WHALE and its executive director Lisa Bergson played in helping to make this project possible,” noted Arlene McNamee, CABH’s executive director.

Rehabilitation work is slated to begin in April of 2012.

“We were so pleased to put this important, endangered historic building in the Washington Square neighborhood,” noted Lisa Bergson, “on a path to rehabilitation and reuse. And, we are delighted to stay on to serve as preservation consultants for the project by writing the National Register nomination for the project, providing technical advice, and writing the state rehabilitation tax credit applications. We are happy to ensure that this project will meet the highest, national preservation standards.”  The project has been awarded $450,000 in state historic tax credits and another $1.6M in state funding through the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD). The project has also been awarded $175,000 in City HOME funds through the New Bedford Office of Housing and Community Development (OHCD). Additionally, Citizens-Union Savings bank has committed $925,000 in construction and permanent loan financing.

“WHALE is pleased to support and have an active role with good preservation projects in New Bedford like 24 Allen Street. This is the fourth major preservation project (Howland House, Ingraham School, and One Washington Square) WHALE has directly been involved with in the Washnigton Square neighborhood.  We know that preservation is as contagious as blight and with great partners working together, we can change the face of this neighborhood.”

Due to inclement weather, the Howland House Clean Up was postponed to Tuesday, August 9 from 5-7PM.

It’s been a year since our last clean up at the Howland House and we need your help to get the grounds ready for WHALE’s BBQ fundraiser, Grill and Chill at the Howland House. The clean up day is scheduled for Monday, August 8 from 5-7PM. We’ll provide the gardening tools (or you can bring your own if you prefer) – please bring gardening or work gloves, comfortable clothes, and work boots or sneakers.

At the Grill and Chill on Sunday, August 14 from 4-8, WHALE will be serving up a heaping helping of fun, food, and music. For more information click HERE . Anyone interested in a fun, relaxing, good ol’ fashioned BBQ should call WHALE for tickets at 508-997-1776 or click HERE to purchase your tickets online.

WHALE will be serving up some great fun, food, and music. While you are chilling, we’ll be grilling. BBQ fare includes ribs, hot dogs, hamburgers, linguica, and shrimp along with pasta salad, cole slaw, and garden salad. But that’s not all. You will enjoy the sounds of the Marcus Monteiro Trio and Grand Army. Cash bar provided by Garnish & Drink. Seating is limited so feel free to bring a lawn chair or blanket (rain or shine).

The Howland House will be open for guided house tours during the event.  Come see Phase 1A stabilization firsthand.

Tickets are $30 for WHALE members, $40 for nonmembers and include one complimentary beverage. Tickets for children are $15. Ticket price includes BBQ and one complimentary beverage. Proceeds from this fundraiser will benefit WHALE – saving endangered historic houses – like the 1834 Howland House – for nearly 50 years.

For tickets call the whale office at 508-997-1776 or click HERE to purchase your tickets online..

Click HERE to go to WHALE’s Facebook page and like us today.

And, don’t forget to follow us on Twitter @WHALE_NB today

It was an exciting and busy evening but a fun, interactive way to share the magnificent architecture in New Bedford with hundreds of children.

Carol Ann Juneau Volunteer Awards
Danielle N. Poyant
Theodore “Ted” Lopes

Sarah R. Delano Preservation Awards
Women’s Institute for Housing and Economic Development • Ingraham Place
TRI & Office of Housing & Community Development • Washington Sq neighborhood rehabs
United Front Development Corp • United Front/Temple Landing, a neighborhood preservation project
Acorn Management • Victoria Riverview
Kit Wise • Architectural Services for Howland House & One Washington Square
Lafrance Hospitality • Waypoint Conference Center 
The Whitfield-Manjiro Friendship Society • Whitfield-Manjiro House

George C. Perkins President’s Award
Coalition of Buzzards Bay • Coggeshall Counting House

Pictured: The John Howland Jr. House located at 38 S. Sixth Street, New Bedford (just south of downtown) with its new roof. Thanks to WHALE, the property is now protected from the weather and further deterioration for the first time in 6 years when a three alarm fire rendered it uninhabitable.

In January 2005, a three alarm fire ravaged this historic property rendering it structurally unsound and uninhabitable. Most of the roof was destroyed during the fire leaving the property exposed to the elements. As a result, over the next five years, water infiltration caused severe deterioration.  In 2009, the property was slated for demolition after its owners gutted the interior.

That’s where WHALE came in. Recognizing the historical and architectural significance of the property, WHALE stepped in to save the Howland House from demolition and neglect.  And, in April 2010, WHALE purchased the structurally unsound building for $237,000. Thanks to a strong partnership with the City of New Bedford and New Bedford Mayor Scott Lang, WHALE members and friends, WHALE has raised $204,000 of the acquisition costs and through a loan from the Office of Housing and Community Development completed Phase One Stabilization of the property. Phase One involved removing the remnants of the burned out roof and putting a new roof on the property. And, this was no easy task because, in addition to being structurally unsound, the fire left 19 foot gaping holes in all three floors on the south side of the building. Putting on a new roof that was not going to break the bank required a creative and experienced preservation contractor who would not be deterred from the building’s delicate structural condition or the lack of floors. Fortunately, we found just the right fit in Wayne Construction who masterfully completed Phase One (new roof) for $48,000.

This phase had two important benefits: 1) protect the building from the elements thereby preventing any further deterioration. With its new roof, the Howland House is protected for the first time in over 5 years; and 2) emergency stabilization measures were implemented, which were necessary to ensure the building would not collapse.

As part of Phase One Stabilization, WHALE made some significant decisions about the house. WHALE decided not to put back the dormers that were a later addition to the building (pictured below L). Instead, WHALE decided to put back the original roofline, matching historic photos and its “twin” next door. In addition, ASAP Engineering, the project’s structural engineers, designed the new roof so that in the future a cupola can be added (as seen in historic photos) to the house.  WHALE was fortunate to have Board Member and Registered Architect, Kit Wise of Wise, Surma, Jones Architect as its architectural advisor on this project, ensuring that the Secretary of the Interior Standards were met and the building sensitively rehabbed.

There is more work to be done to the Howland House before it can be once again occupied, but WHALE, with lots of support, has clearly put it on a path to rehabilitation and reuse.

About the Howland House
• Built in 1834 for John and Sarah Howland Jr.
• Exceptional example of transitional Federal/Greek Revival style architecture and the substantial wealth that was made in the whaling industry in New Bedford.
• One of a complex of three remarkable and extremely rare, brick mansions built in 1834 for the Howland family on South Sixth Street . All three still stand today. In fact, the next door property to the north is the Howland House’s “twin”.
• Contributing building in the County Street National Register Historic District.

About the Howland Family:
The Howland family was among New Bedford’s most prominent and wealthy families. A native of New Bedford, John Howland Jr. partnered with his brother James in “J & J Howland Merchants” on Middle Street and he was one of fifteen original trustees of the New Bedford Institution for Savings. The Howland family, unlike many of their Quaker counterparts, chose to build their “less ostentatious” grand mansions and fine homes along the Sixth Street.

For a list of Howland House contributors click HERE.