“If you bulldoze your heritage, you become just anywhere.”
- Sarah Delano, WHALE President, 1966-1982 -

WHALE has built its reputation by taking on challenges many thought impossible. Today, we take on one of our biggest challenges in recent years - the revitalization of the historic Washington Square neighborhood in New Bedford through the Neighborhood Restoration Program. With the Neighborhood Restoration Program, WHALE will fulfill its mission to promote the value and reuse of historic structures throughout New Bedford. Read on to learn more about this model program, which uses comprehensive planning and historic preservation to improve the livability and quality of life for the residents that call this neighborhood home.

Neighborhood Restoration Program
Investing in our Neighborhoods
WHALE’s Neighborhood Restoration Program is designed to look holistically at an entire neighborhood in New Bedford with a focus on restoration and revitalization. With strong support from New Bedford Mayor Scott Lang and New Bedford Economic Development Council, WHALE will initially be working with in the close knit Washington Square Neighborhood, full of historic and architecturally significant properties located on tree-lined streets.

      Through the generosity of the Robert S. Stoico/FIRSTFED Charitable Foundation. WHALE has initiated a mini-grant program focused on the exterior repair and restoration of homes located throughout the Washington Square neighborhood.  The goal of this program is to restore homes to a historically appropriate outward appearance.  Each property owner has submitted a work proposal to preservation experts for review.  The final scope of the restoration was agreed upon by both the home owner and preservation experts.  WHALE will reimburse the home owner following completion of the renovations.  WHALE would also like to thank architect Boyd Rourke for donating his services.

350 Purchase St.  - COMPLETED - It's Brand New Again!
          
  Before Rehabilitation                       Rehab Complete!
 
Rehab Work included repairing the rotting front porch, siding, and painting with a period appropriate color scheme.

116 Acushnet Ave.     
                                                                                         
Rehab Work will include removing the enclosed front porch addition and reconstructing a front porch that mirrors the original as shown in the historic photograph at left.


143 Pleasant St.

              

Rehab Work will include removing the leaky, bay window additions as well as the asbestos siding and replacing with a historically accurate window configuration. Clapboards and corner boards will be put back and then the house will be painted in a period appropriate color scheme.

9 Washington St. - In Progress

  

Rehab Work will include restoring the original wooden windows, replacing the awning with an Italiante hood, and painting the trim.

****************************************************************************

PART THREE: A NEIGHBORHOOD PRESERVATION PROJECT
The Reconstruction of One Washington Square


In January 2008, the residents of One Washington Square, the citizens of New Bedford, and WHALE lost an iconic Queen Anne home located at One Washington Square days before it was slated to be saved. The loss of this historically significant property was devestating. Residents in the Neighborhood Plan (featured above) told WHALE emphatically:
"WE WANT OUR HOUSE BACK!" For them, the rehabilitation of the neglected and abandoned architectural gem was a symbol of hope, revitalization, and change in their neighborhood. 

WHALE will complete the reconstruction of One Washington Square like many of its "impossible" projects over the last 47 years because it will develop strategic partnerships. WHALE intends to partner with Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School (GNBRVTHS) to complete this project giving the next generation of craftsman a hands-on learning experience in historic preservation while completing a worthwhile community project. In addition, WHALE will partner with private businesses to secure donations of product, expertise and services.

WHALE has historical and modern photographs, measured drawings, and historical information, which will allow WHALE to accurately reconstruct the home.  Reconstruction is an acceptable treatment of a historic property according to national preservation standards set by the Secretary of the Interior.

Rendering of the Reconstructed One Washington Square by Tim DeCoster





**************************************************************************************************

NEIGHBORHOOD RESTORATION REVOLVING FUND
Established with a matching grant from the 1772 Foundation, WHALE's Neighborhood Restoration Revolving Fund can be used to acquire, stabilize, reconstruct, or rehabilitate an endangered historic property in New Bedford. Any proceeds from the sale of historic properties that have received these funds will be put back into the fund to be reinvested in the next endangered historic property. The Revolving Fund allows WHALE the opportunity to fulfill its mission over and over again.
Contributions can be made to this dedicated fund online by clicking HERE. It's a gift that keeps on giving!

Special thanks to the 1772 Foundation, Henry H. Crapo Foundation,  the Carney Foundation, and WHALE's Board of Directors for their outstanding contributions to the fund.

**************************************************************************************************

Goals of the Neighborhood Restoration Program:
• Strengthen the neighborhood through public education,historic preservation and comprehensive planning.
• Encourage participation by residents to develop a comprehensive neighborhood plan.
• Restore and preserve historically and architecturally significant properties.
• Promote the value and reuse of historic properties.
• Offer technical and financial resources to property owners to preserve, restore, and maintain their historic homes.

Anticipated Outcomes of the Neighborhood Restoration Program:
• Promote neighborhood stability.
• Promote neighborhood pride for current residents.
• Attract new residents and private investment.
• Increase tax revenues.
• Enhance curb appeal.
• Maintain affordable housing stock.
• Develop infrastructure that compliments the neighborhood (lighting, tree planting...).