Owner Of Essex Street Building Can't Develop It, Commission Rules

MELROSE, MA — An unlikely push to stave off a big-money development backed by the mayor and other city officials won out this week, but the battle on Essex Street may not be over.

The Melrose Historic District Commission blocked a proposal by the owner of 12-16 Essex Street to turn the property into a four-story, mixed-used building during a tense meeting Tuesday night. It's a big win for the people who went to bat for a worn-down building they claim is the oldest in the downtown district.

"One of the most impressive victories that I have ever seen," Jim Bennett, a Melrose Historical Commission member, told Patch.

For those who rallied in support of the development, it's an almost stunning defeat.

The Planning Board gave the project its blessing, saying it was "pleased to see this proposal for a significant redevelopment project in the heart of downtown Melrose." There was also support from Mayor Paul Brodeur, former Mayor Gail Infurna and City Council members, some of whom authored letters.

The Commission held firm that its purpose was to preserve, regardless of how others felt about the benefits and drawbacks of the project.

Read: Overhaul Of Downtown's 'Oldest Building' Uncertain After Pushback

It's a monumental flex for the Commission, which is made up of volunteers but holds final say in such issues; The building commissioner cannot provide building or demolition permits for construction projects or signs within the district unless the Commission issues a Certificate of Appropriateness, according to the city website.

The decision raises questions as to why the Planning Board considered and decided on the project before the Commission did.

The building, owned by Mark Carroll, is home to Beansprout Gifts, an auxiliary room for 101 Music and Always Hair For You.

Carroll said in September that he would abide by whatever decision the commission made, but he promised "no investment in that building" if they denied his bid. Carroll said the building is "barely financially solvent."

Carroll's next steps are unclear, though it appeared Tuesday legal options may be on the table. When asked for comment on behalf of his client, attorney Bob Bell responded with a simple, "TBD."

Carroll wants to replace the building with a modern structure, one with over 1,500 square feet of retail/restaurant space on the bottom and three floors with 14 apartments above. The property would have 14 off-streets parking spaces.

The exact age of the building depends on the accuracy of conflicting accounts of whether it survived a fire in 1875, but if it did, then it would be the oldest one-time schoolhouse in the city. Even if the building burned and was rebuilt, at the turn of the century it was home to the first local business owned by a Melrose resident of color, the Historic District Commission said. Charlie Sing owned Chinese Laundry in the building until 1902.

The building is not handicap accessible and cannot be updated. Carroll has argued it's not as old as records indicate due to the amount of work that has been done in the last century.