NEWBURYPORT — The Historical Commission last week denied a permit to owners of a home at 17 Ship St. who want to demolish the structure and build a new residence in its place.
Commissioners said the house was built in the 18th century and efforts should be made to preserve it.
The house was recently purchased by Kathi Rodrigues and Patricia Kurkul for about $165,000, according to commissioners. The five-room, 1,092-square-foot residence has an assessed value of $298,000.
The new owners retained CWC Design of Haverhill to present the case to the commission that the house has been neglected and is too run-down to preserve.
Christopher Crump, president of the design firm, showed photos of the basement and interior of the structure. He said that the house had been empty for about four years and parts of it were “open to the weather.”
Several commissioners said that they had toured the house and felt it could be saved. They urged the new owners, who were not present, to work with them to find a solution for improving the house rather than tearing it down.
In other business, the commission gave approval to Caswell Development Ashland LLC to demolish a structure at 39-41 Ashland St. Its condition was deemed too poor to resurrect.
Also, the commission approved a permit for architect Scott M. Brown to move a brick structure at 2 Mechanics Court from one section of the parcel to another so that the lot there can accommodate two new buildings. The owners plan to build eight to 10 condo units in those new buildings.
Ex-Hit Man's Past Is a Shock to Some Neighbors
Fans: Gandofini 'Put New Jersey on the Map'
Does Future of Human Race Depend on Kansas Mine?
Reining in 'Bad News' Sports Parents
James Gandolfini Dies at Age 51
Fmr. TWA Flight 800 Investigators Want New Probe
Raw: Heat, Spurs Back on Court Ahead of Game 7
Dolce and Gabbana Convicted of Tax Evasion
Paris, Prince Depositions Used in Jackson Trial
Coiffed Cattle Get Their Close-up
In Berlin, Obama Channels Cold War Activism
Police at Patriots Tight End's Home for 2nd Day
Fed Suggests Bond Purchases Could Slow
AP: DOJ Broke Own Rules Seizing Phone Records
Raw: Baby White Rhino Debuts at Australian Zoo
Time Lapse: Rebuilding Bridge Post-collapse
Ohio Woman Accuses 3 of Holding Her Captive
Hunt for Ex-Teamster Boss Hoffa's Remains Ends
