Restaurant, Apartments Proposed In Hyannis Main Street Plan

HYANNIS, MA — There's near-unanimous agreement that a historic Hyannis building should be demolished and rebuilt, but residents and members of the Hyannis Main Street Historic Waterfront District Commission aren't huge fans of a current proposal.

The property on the corner of Main and Ocean Streets has changed over the years. It's been an art gallery, grocery store, museum and more but, for the last two decades, it's sat vacant.

Bornbam Associates has filed an application to change that, which includes demolishing the current building and erecting in its place a four-story, multi-use building that would bring apartments, a restaurant and parking.

The site plan proposes a first-floor, 3,860 sq. ft. space for a restaurant, 22 apartments and 25 parking spaces. The current iteration of the plan would also bring sidewalk improvements to Ocean and Main Streets.

According to town zoning, a four-story building is allowed in the space but, as first reported by the Cape Cod Times, residents were less than happy about what the new proposal would mean for the feel of Main Street.

The commission, which discussed the plan during a Feb. 19 meeting, faces the essential question most communities face when dealing with new ideas and spaces in a historic area: how can we bring new life to the area while maintaining as much history as possible?

Some proposed using bricks from the current building, others sought to revise the plan to match the look of other buildings in the area. The current plan would see white siding above brick on the exterior of the first-floor restaurant. Some suggested that the windows could be trimmed in white with red brick.

Despite concerns about the size and aesthetics of the project, Commission member Jack Kay pointed out the 22 living units, which would bring much-needed housing to the area. There is also the issue of funding for restoring historic spaces. Kay said grants aren't readily available to do so, but this proposal would mean they wouldn't be necessary.

The Commission voted to continue the proposal to a March 19 meeting.