Community Preservation Committee members’ opinions on a request from town officials for $15 million to go toward renovating the aging Memorial Hall ranged from enthusiastic to skeptical during a CPC meeting Thursday.
In making his case for funding, Town Manager Derek Brindisi told the nine-member committee that the 100-year-old downtown venue is in critical condition.
“If no improvements are made, this building would have to be shut in the next two years,” Brindisi said.
The $15 million in Community Preservation funds would go towards a $22.6 million project that would involve a major overall of the building.
The work recommended by an outside consultant would include repairing cracks in the foundation, repairing and restoring masonry, a new slate roof, restoring the cupola, restoring wood, painting, new windows, upgrades to improve functionality, aesthetics, and acoustics. There would also be upgrades to the aging heating and cooling system, the elevator, and the fire alarm system, lighting and controls, carpeting, plumbing and tiles in the restrooms, and new seats in the hall.
The balance of the funds for the project would come from reserves, the Visitors Service Board, a revolving fund for Memorial Hall, $5 million from the town budget – that would have to be approved by Town Meeting – grants, and contributions from local businesses, Brindisi said.
Bill Keohan, the Select Board’s new representative on the committee – and the CPC’s former longtime chair – was not convinced that the money would be well spent. He urged town officials to be more specific about which grants the town might be able to get.
He also said the Community Preservation Committee’s ability to spend is stretched thin since it has already committed to $11 million on other town projects. The committee recommends to Town Meeting about $4 million a year in projects paid for by a 1.5 percent surcharge on property taxes. It leverages those funds by borrowing for projects.
Lynne Barrett, the town’s finance director, estimated that the Community Preservation Committee could borrow the $15 million for Memorial Hall over 20 years at a rate of 4.5 percent, raising the total annual debt service payments for Community Preservation projects to $1.1 million.
That would leave about $3 million a year with which the committee could pay down borrowing on other projects.
Keohan also recommended that a building conservation specialist be hired to determine which aspects of the project constitute historic preservation and recreation. The Community Preservation Act only permits spending on historic preservation, open space and recreation, and affordable housing.
“It’s not meant to augment the budget,” Keohan said. “I’m just concerned about what is appropriate use of the CPA fund.”
Ed Bradley, the committee chair, shared Keohan’s concern.
“I could not stand up with a straight face to say that every one of those 15 million dollars is being spent for historic preservation purposes,” he said.
Tim Grandy, the Planning Board’s representative on the committee, worried that the project would affect the committee’s ability to pay for other projects.
“With $1.1 million taken away [a year], there’s going to be less opportunity to purchase the last tract of open space or affordable housing,” Grandy said. He suggested instead that a more modest Memorial Hall project could address the most urgent need -stopping water from penetrating the building.
Paul Churchill, the Conservation Commission’s representative on the committee, was also concerned about borrowing costs.
“I don’t want to put it on the credit card,” Churchill said. “I don’t want to pay interest. I don’t feel that that’s fiscally responsible.”
Member Betty Cavacco, however, was more supportive of the plan.
“Why can’t we give back to our residents and build them a state-of-the-art facility?” Cavacco asked, arguing that the longer the town waits to repair Memorial Hall, the more it will cost.
“Interest rates will go down,” eventually, she added.
Committee member Karen Buechs agreed.
“Mr. Brindisi is not willing to kick the can down the road, and neither am I,” Buechs said. “This hall over here means a lot to us. How much open space is enough? Memorial Hall should come first this time, or else we’re going to let thousands of people down in our town.”
Towards the end of the meeting, Brindisi told committee members that the Community Preservation Act is the only source of funding that can save the building.
Select Board chair Kevin Canty, who supports the use of Community Preservation funds to restore Memorial Hall, warned that the only alternative would be building a new venue.
“Does the CPC, the dedicated source for historical funding, value this project, or should we be looking at tearing it down and replacing it with a new state-of-the-art venue?” said Canty, who was at the meeting to support Brindisi.
Brindisi said it would cost $5 million to demolish the building and $48 million to build a new venue, about the same cost as Town Hall on Russell Street.
The committee has scheduled a vote for Thursday, July 31, at which time it will decide whether to recommend that October Town Meeting fund $15 million for the project.
Fred Thys can be reached at fred@plymouthindependent.org.