Fund-raiser nets support for School Street Barn project

Date: 6/22/2011

June 22, 2011

By Debbie Gardner

Assistant Editor

AGAWAM — A small but dedicated group gathered at The Federal restaurant on June 8 to raise funds to support ongoing efforts to preserve and renovate the historic barn at School Street Park.

By the end of the evening, they had added $1,000 to the coffers of the School Street Barn Gift Fund.

Along with the opportunity to sample an array of elegant appetizers donated by the restaurant and bid on a variety of silent auction items, attendees also heard the latest update on the status of the iconic red barn, as well as plans for its future renovations.

Historical Commission Chair David Cecchi reminded the group of the importance of the School Street barn, stating that in 1915 there had been a total of "200 tobacco barns, not counting horse and dairy barns" in Agawam.

Today, he said, the classic New-England style double-ramp structure at 511 School Street "might be one of the last agricultural relics in the western part of town," and possibly the only surviving example of that barn style in this part of the state.

City Counselor Jill Messick said a public survey taken a year and a half ago showed a high level of public enthusiasm for preserving and reusing the structure. Among the ideas submitted for reuse included a warming shed for the annual ice rink, a farmer's market, a venue for small concerts, art shows or club meetings and a community space that could be rented for weddings and family gatherings.

Cecchi said the Community Preservation Committee (CPC) had recently visited a historic barn in the Blackstone River Valley that had been renovated for use as a community space in similar ways.

CPC member Dick Bennett told attendees his group had retained a consultant to assist in getting the School Street Barn listed on the National Historic Register, a necessary step before the CPC could apply for grants to fund proposed renovation work.

He also said a recent structural survey showed the barn's post and beam structure to be in good shape, but the is foundation in need of both shoring up and reconstruction. This was "good news" in one respect, Bennett said, because this reconstruction would make it possible to locate Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant bathroom facilities, and a small office, on the lower level.

In answer to an attendees question about year-round use of the barn, Bennett said proposed access to these bathrooms would be through an exterior ramp.

Other renovations to bring the structure up to modern building code include new shingles, new window sills and replacement of the floorboards on the upper level.

When asked the cost of these repairs by an attendee, Bennett said it was estimated at $700,000.

He said the CPC projects putting the barn renovations out to bid in September, with anticipation of having all proposals back by November. That timetable would keep the project aligned with grant cycles for several state-based preservation funds. Use of town-base Community Preservation Act funds for the project, Bennett added, would be at the discretion of the City Council.

Another attendee asked what entity would oversee barn upkeep — and rental for town and private events — once renovations were complete. Bennett said because the barn is part of the town-owned School Street Park, it would be up to town administration to determine how that aspect of barn use would be handled.

Debbie Gardner can be reached by e-mail at debbieg@thereminder.com