Presented November 14, 2021 by HDC Interim Executive Director, Lorna Nowvé
We are delighted to see so many of you joining us today to call attention to this opportunity to restore and protect the historic Track House and Tennis Center Comfort Station. While we respect the goal of the ESCP project to provide timely flood proofing of the park, we urge the city to honor and preserve these historic buildings.
Creative planning can turn this proposal into an inspired example of combining the mandate to protect our waterfront with thoughtful design solutions. Look at the way the delicate terra cotta details elevate what one might consider a mere utilitarian structure into a delight for the eyes. Rather than sacrifice the images that hark back to the area’s shipbuilding and maritime history, why not restore them so that future generations will learn about their past?
As others have noted, studies by respected engineers and architects have shown that saving one or both of these buildings would not likely not significantly impact the ESCR project’s scheduling or budget.
“Resiliency” has many meanings. We urge the city to embrace a more sensitive approach to their proposed plan. The waterfront will be protected and the park’s history will be enhanced.
Thank you.