Power & Class

UMass campus is top ‘historic resource’

October 21, 2007

Preservation Massachusetts recently named the University of Massachusetts campus as one of the “10 most endangered historic resources” in the state.

Preserve UMass, a group of retired faculty members and alumni, nominated the campus for inclusion.Preservation Massachusetts compiles a list every year of historic resources. UMass was listed because there was a concern “that there really wasn’t a preservation assessment of historic buildings,” said Erin D.A. Kelly, assistant director of Preservation Massachusetts.

She said, “The primary focus of this program is not to stand in the way of development. This is really an advocacy and educational awareness program. We want the school to understand what its historic resources are.”

She said Preservation Massachusetts wants to ensure that the UMass assessment is carried out.

The university completed a building condition report last spring that assessed the condition of about 140 buildings. The report also included a category of buildings that should be razed and replaced, but not all were named.

Former UMass professor Joseph S. Larson, who is also part of Preserve UMass, said about 25 of the buildings are on the Inventory of Historic and Archeological Assets of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, a list maintained by the state Historical Commission.

Before the buildings can be torn down, the university needs to comply with state historical regulations and Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act office regulations.

The university has had to stop razing a barn to make way for a new recreation center because university officials have not filed with the historical commission or the environmental policy office.

Larson is particularly concerned that a consultant be brought in before anything else is razed. He said a consultant was supposed to have been brought in last month. “We are dealing with some personalities who have little appreciation” for this historic nature of some of the campus buildings, Larson said.

James E. Cahill, director of facilities and campus planning, said a consultant has not yet been hired. “We’re hoping to have the RFP (request for proposals out) this fall.”

Larson understands that it is “probably too expensive” to save the barn, but the issue highlights the dangers of not following through on preservation measures. “If they had taken this seriously and involved the state and Amherst (historical commissions) we would not be at this point.”

Cahill said, “I don’t necessarily agree” that the building is on the historic list. Larson who researched it said he understands that it might be confusing to find the listing but the building is on that list.

Larson said there are buildings that should be preserved.

Larson is pushing to preserve the Stockbridge House, built in 1728 and the oldest house in town, and the Old Chapel, even if it means clearing the interiors but restoring the exteriors.

The university plans to preserve both buildings.

By DIANE LEDERMAN
Springfield Republican
October 21, 2007