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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCert for Demolition_Hyannis Public Library Town of Barnstable Hyannis Main Street Waterfront Historic District Commission Application Certificate for Demolition or Removal Application is hereby made for the issuance of a Permit for Demolition or Removal of a building or a structure or part thereof, under M.G.L. Chapter 40C, The Historic Districts Act, for proposed work as described below and on plans, drawings or photographs accompanying this application. Assessor’s Map No. Parcel No. Address of Proposed Work Applicant Name Applicant Mailing Address Town/State/Zip Applicant Phone Number Applicant E-Mail Property Owner Name Owner Mailing Address Town/State/Zip Owner Phone Agent or Contractor Name Agent or Contractor Address Town/State/Zip Agent or Contractor Phone Agent or Contractor E-Mail DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED DEMOLITION OR REMOVAL: Provide a detailed evaluation of the existing condition and appearance of the building or structure. Describe the proposed scope of the demolition or removal. Attach an additional sheet and supporting pictures and materials as necessary. SIGNED: DATE: Owner/Agent 326 13 401 Main Street Hyannis Public Library Association 401 Main Street Hyannis, MA 02601 (508) 775-2280 astephens@clamsnet.org Hyannis Public Library Association 401 Main Street Hyannis, MA 02601 (508) 775-2280 Dupuis Construction, LLC 55 Marlboro Rd, Suite 13 Brattleboro, VT 05301 (802) 246-7560 scott@dupuisconstruction.com Kara Babcock, project architectUnion Studio Architecture & Community Design 05/07/2025 See attachment for description and supporting photos. Description of proposed demolition or removal: General scope of project modifications to Hyannis Public Library For reference, the Hyannis Public Library is a series of three distinct but interconnected buildings, each constructed and designed in different decades to address growth of the public library within the Main Street district over time. The overall proposed project includes: an interior renovation of existing structures with minor exterior rehabilitation, the demolition of a decaying existing building/wing, and the new construction of a replacement wing. The Hinckley buildingA. (c. 1830), which is the original and most Main Street-facing structure, is largely excluded from renovation work with one minor change noted below. The Eagleston A., which is the c. 1938 brick building (also Main Street-facing), will have interior renovations and minor rehabilitation on the exterior. The Twombly building B. (c. 1974) is proposed to be demolished with a new wing on its footprint. The Twombly C. is situated towards the rear of the library association’s property and is completely interior to the urban block, not visible from the public right-of-way of Main Street and quite distant in view from South Street. The Twombly wing largely faces the town’s public parking lot (also interior to the urban block). The construction will occur in two consecutive phases to allow for library operations to continue over the 2-year period. Phase I will be the renovation and rehabilitation of the Eagleston building and new underground utilities for the property. Phase II will be demolition and new construction of the rear wing. Demolition of Twombly wing (c. 1974) The Twombly building (or wing) was built circa 1974 and is understood to not be historic by Barnstable, state, or federal standards, nor included in the Preservation Restriction Agreement from May 30, 2013. It no longer serves the library patrons or staff in a useful way, and while it poses no significant health or safety risks, the split-level design D. creates unnecessary hardship. There is one full-time staff member who is a wheelchair user and countless mobility-impaired patrons who cannot efficiently navigate the split-level wing which houses all the book collections, computer stations, bathrooms and main circulation desk. Accessible emergency egress to the public-right of way is non-existent from the split levels without reliance on the elevator or life-saving personnel entering the building to assist. The building is in decaying condition and extremely energy inefficient. Both factors have proven difficult for the library association to maintain upkeep over time. Additionally, asbestos has been noted in elements of the Twombly wing. There are multiple areas on the exterior façade where the storefront E. was observed separated from the rest of the structure, all glazing is single-pane, and major skylight elements have been boarded up due to water infiltration and heating/ cooling loss. The exposed glu-lam structure F. consisting of beams and columns are observed to be in good condition, and it is the intent of the design team to salvage and re-use them in the new addition. Stylistically, the 1970s style of building is out of character to the rest of the Main Street historic district. Functionally, having the Children’s wing in the basement creates a less than inviting atmosphere for young readers. The space is dark and has inefficient storage space. There is a lack of visual connection from the main circulation desk and the Children’s wing circulation desk, and for patrons and staff with strollers or wheelchairs, getting from the front entrance to the stacks requires going through a separate hallway to a small elevator. Additionally, there is currently no visual connection to the library’s new outdoor playground, the Play Oasis, nor a convenient way to get there. Affected areas of Eagleston wing (c. 1938) The demolition in advance of the proposed new addition construction would be limited to just the Twombly building (c. 1974). The areas of the Eagleston building (c. 1938) that will be impacted by the removal of the interconnected Two mbly wing are to be treated respectfully and rehabilitated back to their original condition. The project scope does include small portions of the Eagleston rear façade (non-public facing) to be enclosed, but the intent is to leave the brick and original windows exposed to the interior, visible in public spaces of the library. Minor removal/ modification of exterior wall between Eagleston and Hinckley buildings To create a fully accessible campus for the library, there will be a minor modification made to convert a double window into an exterior door which is located in an exterior wall between the Eagleston and Hinckley buildings G. (rear-facing, not visible from public-right of way). From research of historic drawings, descriptions and photos, the wall was not original to the Hinckley building (c. 1 830), nor was it part of the Eagleston building plans (c. 1938). To the best of our knowledge, it was built at some time post-1938 to connect the two buildings with a conditioned hallway and flat roof. This existing connector provides the least obtrusive and most straightforward way to allow for accessible entry into the Hinckley building without disturbing the original structure. A. View of library from Main St. (Hinckley (c. 1830) on left, Eagleston (c. 1938) on right, Twombly not visible) B. View of library from town parking lot, interior to urban block (Twombly (c. 1974) in foreground, rear of Eagleston in background) C. View of library from South St. (only rear of Twombly visible in the distance, surrounded by town parking lot) D. Split level of Twombly building E. Example single pane glazing and interior/ exterior roof assembly condition F. Exposed glu-lam structure to be salvaged and reused in new addition G. Connector wall to be removed/ modified into accessible door entrance for Hinckley building (not visible from public right-of-way)