• Four separate owners stand as greatest obstacle to preservation
• At least 15 years of continued decay, including fire, vandalism, and structural damage
• Opportunity for rehabilitation in a relatively stable and well-maintained neighborhood
Historic Boston Incorporated 1999 Preservation Revolving Fund Casebook : Property
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| Alvah Kittredge Park rowhouses | Roxbury |
| • Once elegant set of
four late Victorian townhouses fronting on Kittredge Park • Four separate owners stand as greatest obstacle to preservation • At least 15 years of continued decay, including fire, vandalism, and structural damage • Opportunity for rehabilitation in a relatively stable and well-maintained neighborhood |
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| Name: Alvah Kittredge Park rowhouses | Bldg SqFt: 5 - 2,079; 6 - 1,952; 7 - 2,424; 8 - 3,245 |
Lot SqFt: 5 - 1,538; 6 - 1,483; 7 - 1,486; 8 - 1,475 |
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| Address: 5-8 Alvah Kittredge Park | Ward: 9 | Parcel: 5 - 3513; 6 - 3556; 7 - 3555; 8 - 3554 |
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| Neighborhood: Roxbury | Zoning: Rowhouse Residential Subdistrict (RH) | |||
| Year Built: 1873-1875 | Use: Vacant | |||
| Style: Second Empire | Condition: 5 - Poor; 6 - Poor; 7 - Good; 8 - Good | |||
| Architect(s): Archibald / J.H. Parker | Owner: 5: Horace Crocket 5 Alvah Kittredge Park Roxbury, MA 02119 6: Sandra T. Malloy 4 Cleveland Street Roxbury, MA 02119 |
7: Boston Redevelopment Authority 8: Boston
Redevelopment |
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| Historic Certification: Roxbury Highlands National Register Historic District | ||||
| FY99 Building Assessment: 5 - $11,000; 6 - $30,000; 7 - $11,300; 8 - $16,500 FY02 Building Assessment: 5 - $60,600; 6 - $38,900; 7 - N/A; 8 - N/A |
FY99 Tax: 5 - $430; 6 - $511; 7 - $542; 8 - N/A FY02 Tax: 5 - $842; 6 - $700; 7 - N/A; 8 - N/A |
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| FY99 Land Assessment: 5 - $11,500; 6 - $8,000; 7 - $29,000; 8 - $28,800 FY02 Land Assessment: 5 - $15,900; 6 - $24,700; 7 - N/A; 8 - N/A |
Tax Status: 5-Current; 6-Current; 7- Exempt ; 8-Exempt | |||
Preservation Strategy:
The most efficient means to rehabilitate these buildings and restore housing would be for the Boston Redevelopment Authority to use its urban renewal powers and take all of them by eminent domain to eliminate blight. Then it could seek development proposals for the whole site. Since this is unlikely to occur except for major downtown sites today, HBI should encourage collaboration among the four owners.
Significance:
The four brick rowhouses across from the north edge of Alvah Kittredge Park are typical of the dense residential developments that were built in parts of Roxbury Highlands in the latter half of the 19th century. Benjamin F. Bean, a local Roxbury developer, built these houses on the last remaining parcel of land from the nearby Edward Everett Hale estate. They are fine examples of the popular Second Empire style, and their high level of architectural detail--bow fronts, brownstone trim, and pedimented dormers in the high mansard roofs--bespeaks their prominent position on the park.
Preservation Challenges:
Multiple ownership of these pivotal properties and financial speculation inhibits cohesive action towards their rehabilitation. Vacancy and deterioration have continued over the fourteen years since HBI included the buildings in its second casebook. A fire burned through the first two floors of no. 8, causing serious structural damage. The front elevation at no. 6 has suffered partial collapse. The BRA subsidized rebuilding the bow front of no. 8. Responsibility for the City's interests here seems to migrate between City departments.
Neighborhood Context:
The buildings are across from the vacant Alvah Kittredge House (see casebook entry) on Linwood Street and are one block south of the Edward Everett Hale House, two of the most important Greek Revival mansions in Roxbury Highlands. Aside from the Alvah Kittredge House, there appears to have been substantial investment made in the single-family residences on Linwood Street. Most other rowhouses around the park are occupied and appear to be in good condition, although there are several vacant shells on Highland Street. Kittredge Park itself needs rehabilitation by the City.
Other Sources of Information:
Roxbury Highlands National Register Historic District nomination form; BLC inventory form; HBI Revolving Fund Casebook, 1985
Entry Completed: 05/21/1999
The Historic Boston managed exterior restoration of #7 and #8 Alvah Kittredge Park is almost complete. In May 2000 Historic Boston published the Feasibility Study to Rehabilitate the Alvah Kittredge Park Row Houses, which identified the need for substantial subsidies to finance the rehabilitation of these buildings. The Boston Redevelopment Authority subsequently licensed HBI to perform work on #8 and later #7. In addition to over $45,000 that HBI has contributed to the project, the Henderson Foundation, Massachusetts Historical Commission, and the BRA have provided nearly $400,000 in grants. Completed physical improvements include roof restoration, window installation, masonry repair, and structural stabilization. The BRA should issue a Request for Proposals for the interior redevelopment of these two rowhouses this fall.The owners of #5 and #6 are receiving advice and assistance from the Veterans Benefit Clearinghouse Development Corporation, but it is not clear 1) if this group recognizes the real costs involved with rehabilitating these long-neglected buildings and 2) if they would be able to assemble sufficient financing to restore privately owned buildings. Despite the City's prolonged legal efforts to force them to make their properties safe and substantive offers from HBI, these vacant properties continue to deteriorate. The lack of action threatens not only #5 and #6, but the rowhouses as a whole. The City could petition the Housing Court to place #5 and #6 in receivership, but this would not guarantee that a receiver could reverse a quarter century of neglect.
5 - 8 Alvah Kittredge Park, September 19, 2002, after completion of exterior rehabilitation of #7 and #8 by HBI.
Additional photos: (click to enlarge)
Update Entry Completed: 08/08/2002