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Hope brightens for historic house
(by Barbara Christian - May 03, 2012)
WINDOW ON MAIN STREET, BY BARBARA CHRISTIAN
Hope brightens for historic house
There is good news to report this week. A contract has been signed for the purchase of the once-doomed-by-demolition Sears-Adams House in Chagrin Falls. The slightly less than good news is that there are contingencies on that sale, so, until all questions are settled, the wait continues.
Let's review. You will recall the house in question, a classic 1844 Greek revival on East Summit Street, most recently the old Windsor Hospital administration building, caught the interest of local preservationists when late last year its new owner applied for a permit to tear it down.
In January, at the urging of those preservationists, the mayor formed a committee charged with coming up with a realistic plan for saving the house.
To his credit, the Sears-Adams property owner put a six-month moratorium on proceeding with demolition. But the clocking is ticking, and the alarm is set to go off in June.
Committee members began by clearing out and cleaning up the house, removed boards from the windows, attracted the attention of a donor who gave $8,000 to button up exposed portions of the exterior and enlisted an architect who, free of charge, drew plans for how the place could work as a residence again. Quotes from contractors proved it could be done.
Next they called a series of meetings with area Realtors, who toured the house. By all counts, they were charmed by the 168-year-old classic and began showing it ... and showing it ... and showing it.
Then the committee designed a descriptive brochure about the Sears-Adams House, distributed it around town and finally created an informational display in an empty downtown store window.
It's not yet clear if any of the committee's efforts were what attracted the attention of the would-be Sears-Adams saviors. Until the sale contingencies are met, the committee remains "cautiously ecstatic" that its good work will be rewarded.
Yes, the mayor's committee has done its job well. It left no stone unturned ... except maybe one. It is one they might consider as they wait for the outcome of the pending sale.
Overlay zoning allows the house to be used for "parks and institutions." Out of deference for the surrounding residential neighborhood, the committee has not tapped into the possibilities of that zoning, which could include offices for, say, an arts group -- one that would have few employees, little parking need and no increase in traffic.
Perhaps an arts group like Chagrin Arts and Culture and its summertime Chautauqua programs could team with Your Hometown Chagrin Falls. They all share office space now. Relocating to the Sears-Adams House would create an important presence for all three.
Surely, surrounding residents would approve of such highly respected and quiet neighbors. Surely, those institutions' leaders and donors would see the value of shared resources and speed their long-range plans for expansion and save a village treasure in the process.
This further consideration should not diminish the good news that someone has enough faith in a future for the Sears-Adams House to sign a purchase agreement and invest in turning the place into a home again.
Still, it's always good to have a plan B. June approaches.
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