There is encouraging news to report regarding 43 MacDougal Street, the deteriorating 1846 rowhouse located in the Charlton-King-Vandam Historic District that GVSHP and neighbors have for years fought to see repaired. Last week, the building’s owner hired an engineer and contractor and submitted plans to the City to have the building stabilized. The Department of Buildings (DOB) issued a permit late Friday afternoon, and work is scheduled to begin right away. The stabilization work involves shoring and bracing the roof, erecting a temporary roof, and sealing the windows.
A great deal of advocacy work and correspondence with the City has led us to this point. After several years, in 2009 GVSHP was finally able to get the Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) to begin to initiate a Demolition by Neglect lawsuit against the owner, which would force the owner to repair the building. Later that year, after an unsuccessful attempt by the City to enter the building for an interior inspection, DOB issued an Emergency Declaration that forced the owners to clean out the interior.
This latest news is a step in the right direction, though there is still much work to be done. Stabilization of the building is just the first step in the restoration process. We have been told by the City that once the building is stabilized, the owner will be working with the LPC and DOB on further restoration. GVSHP will continue to stay on top of the situation and advocate for the expeditious return of this historic building to its former glory.
