‘Proud of this project’: Guidebook launch celebrates renovation of Old Bank Street Firehouse
The amazing journey of the Old Bank Street Firehouse was celebrated last week at a guidebook launch party for the Boston Society of Architects (BSA).
Attendees at the Boston Society of Architects guidebook launch party at the Old Bank Street Firehouse included (from left to right): Eric Williams, Michael Lach and Thomas Evans from the Harwich Conservation Trust (HCT), Danyson Tavares from BSA, Norm Clarke from the Harwich Fire Association (HFA) and Wandy Pascoal, August Buziak, Miranda D’Oleo and Natalie Tague from BSA. Gerry Beetham photo
Folks gathered at the beautifully-renovated building on a perfect Cape summer evening to learn more about the enduring partnership between the Harwich Fire Association (HFA), Harwich Conservation Trust (HCT), and the Town that resulted in the creation of community event space and three affordable apartments in the heart of Harwich Port. HCT and HFA led the effort that was empowered by generous support from the Town Community Preservation Fund and Affordable Housing Trust as well as many enthusiastic donors.
“We’re very proud of this project,” said Norm Clarke, former Harwich Fire Chief and HFA member, who put countless hours of sweat equity into the effort that transformed the town’s first firehouse. “We didn’t know what was going to happen when we first started. But the 100-year-old bones of this building were really good.”
Creating housing through reuse
BSA’s new publication “What is Adaptive Reuse: Practical Solutions for the Cape & Islands” is designed for property owners, planners, community advocates and others who are looking for realistic pathways to create housing by repurposing existing structures, a concept known as adaptive reuse.
“Seasonality is definitely a defining challenge here,” said August Buziak, BSA’s Civic Design Lab Summer Fellow. “A large amount, if not the majority of housing in these communities is seasonal. And the evolving demand post-Covid, where people want to live in more remote areas, and are able to work remotely, has really impacted the ability for people to afford housing here.”
In response, the state established the Seasonal Communities designation through the 2024 Affordable Homes Act to support communities on the Cape and Islands, as well as in Berkshire County.
“This essentially offered pathways, if the communities accepted the designation, to resources for year-round and attainable housing,” said Buziak. “And many communities have accepted this designation. That’s what sparked this project.”
Harwich Conservation Trust (HCT) Executive Director Michael Lach speaks at the Boston Society of Architects guidebook launch. Photo by Gerry Beetham
According to the guidebook, “across the Cape and Islands, adaptive reuse is already being implemented through a range of building types that reflect the region’s civic, cultural, and residential fabric…they demonstrate how existing structures can be reimagined to meet year-round housing needs while reducing development pressures.”
Cold Brook Preserve adds environmental win
The Old Bank Street Firehouse is one of six case studies profiled in the guidebook. The project description kicks off with this passage:
“Co-created by the Harwich Fire Association and the Harwich Conservation Trust, the Old Bank Street Firehouse & Cold Brook Trailhead Project resulted in a community space on the first floor of the firehouse, with three one-bedroom affordable apartments of about 650sf each on the second floor and a shared laundry space for employees year around.”
Adjacent to the Old Bank Street Firehouse, HCT led a partnership-driven rewilding effort at the 66-acre Robert F. Smith Cold Brook Preserve, transforming a retired cranberry bog into a wildlife oasis.
The Cold Brook Eco-Restoration Project added a half-mile All Persons Trail, restored 44 acres of wetland and a mile of stream habitat. Now home to a variety of animal life and flourishing native plants, the area has become a popular hiking and nature-watching destination.
Reducing sewering costs
Attendees were treated to a tour of the Robert F. Smith Cold Brook Preserve, led by Harwich conservation Trust (HCT) Board of trustees President Thomas Evans. Photo by Gerry Beetham
An important goal of the Cold Brook eco-restoration was to help naturally remove nitrogen from the waterway – a common byproduct of commercial and residential development, and a significant issue on Cape Cod.
The project will potentially save over $6 million in sewering costs by naturally reducing nitrogen that otherwise could have impacted Saquatucket Harbor on Nantucket Sound and required expensive sewering to remediate.
Michael Lach, HCT’s Executive Director, thanked HFA for their partnership and praised the BSA’s effort in creating their forward-thinking guidebook. “It’s exciting to see how adaptive reuse has re-imagined a second life for this building,” said Lach. “At the same time, HCT had a companion project that had been unfolding for several years prior. That’s the Cold Brook Eco-Restoration Project, which can perhaps be thought of as adaptive reuse for the environment.”
The event was followed by tours of the firehouse, led by Clarke and of the lovely Cold Brook Preserve, led by HCT Board of Trustees President Thomas Evans. As we lingered along the All Persons Trail under a spectacular pastel sky, we could see the firehouse in the distance, a community gem with a bright, new future. It’s inspiring to see what the power of partnerships can accomplish!
Read the BSA’s new adaptive reuse guidebook by clicking here.
Photo gallery: HCT volunteer photographer Gerry Beetham captured these great images from the event:
—Your tax-deductible contributions help fulfill the mission of the Harwich Conservation Trust to preserve land that protects woods, water, wildlife and our shared quality of life. And your land-saving financial support helps us preserve beautiful properties that can become stellar trail destinations. Find out how to donate by clicking here.