Letter: Mead Park Brick Barn ‘Could Be Transformed from Blight to Beauty’

Dear Editor:

I have lived in New Canaan since 1980. When my family chose this town over the others in the area it was because we felt the town had more character, more charm, and of course great schools. Years later, when my husband and I were deciding where to buy a house and start our family, the same attributes were compelling. Now, we watch with frustration as small homes with personality are destroyed to make room for yet another large cookie cutter “builder’s Colonial,” while beautiful, irreplaceable mature trees are often lost as collateral damage. The picturesque village quality that could continue to be a draw to this town is eroding rapidly. The enormous and hideous stamped concrete wall that’s being built in the middle of town on this administration’s watch is a glaring example. 

The Richmond Hill Garage or “Mead Park Brick Barn,” on Feb. 12, 2019. Credit: Michael Dinan

I have been following the Mead Park Barn story with interest for some time. I have always viewed the structure as one that would be charming if restored, in the same way that vintage boat houses, old factories, mills, carriage houses and stables can be architecturally interesting and add depth, character and authenticity to a town. Imagine Nantucket without the many antique buildings that were originally of industrial or utilitarian use, but were valued and restored and given a second life as museums, shops, restaurants and offices. The town of New Canaan has neglected to maintain the Mead barn for as long as I can recall, and of course, in its current condition, no one can argue that it’s an eye sore. Some people can only see what is in front of them now- the broken windows, the rusted fuel tank, the ugly asphalt roofing shingles siding the added staircase. As a designer, it’s my job to see potential, and with the Mead Barn, that’s very easy to do. With new ( historically appropriate) windows and doors, a new roof, a redressed side stair, and an edited landscape surround, the barn could be transformed from blight to beauty. I’ve attended some of the town hall meetings meant to address questions around the many town properties that need attention, and have read the lengthy report evaluating the various buildings, as well as a number of articles and letters. It’s clear to me that solutions to these property issues will take creative, out-of-the-box thinking, flexibility, cooperation and vision. In spite of certain town officials claiming to be looking for private/public partnership type solutions, the proposal by the New Canaan Preservation Alliance has been met with great and repeated resistance.

This situation is beyond bewildering to me. The NCPA has done an amazing job assessing the work to be done based on expert engineering and architectural advice, and have more than enough promised funds available pending a cease to the demolition order and a signed lease. The NCPA has the passion and the resources to turn this neglected yet officially designated ‘historic’ building into an aesthetic asset. Their proposal to use the space as their office couldn’t be a more perfect, quiet, unobtrusive way for the space to be put to use, and a guarantee of it’s upkeep with pride, at no cost to  taxpayers.  Is this town government actually considering walking away from this perfect proposal, to move forward with a demolition at the taxpayers expense?  I understand the NCPA has over 400 signatures voicing support for preserving the barn, yet some members of the town council and the first selectman still seem determined to throw $65,000 into the dumpster with the remains of this piece of New Canaan history. Not only would moving forward with the demolition be financially irresponsible, it would also be incredibly short sighted. The NCPA is uniquely poised to be an enormous ally in New Canaan’s effort to save some of their many historic buildings. The group has the passion, resources, and members with expertise in historical preservation as well as grant writing, which has the potential to save the town hundreds of thousands, if not millions of dollars. I recently learned that the roof repairs for Waveny House cost the town over a million dollars, while Greenwich has received over five million dollars in preservation grants. Apparently our town doesn’t have elected or appointed officials or staff who know how to go after this grant money, yet the NC Preservation Alliance is willing and able, and is offering their partnership in this endeavor. 

Good leadership brings people with energy and ideas together for positive outcomes. The New Canaan Preservation Alliance has a solution for Mead Barn at no cost and minimal effort to the town, and has expressed intent to use that as their pilot project, with the goal of moving on to partner with the town on future preservation projects. With numerous other buildings in town either already or imminently in need of attention, I cannot understand why our town leaders aren’t embracing NCPA’s offer of a partnership. Are our leaders hell bent on doing what they want to do, at the tax payer’s expense, and against the wishes of the people? I very much hope that isn’t the case. 

I am not (yet) a member of the NCPA, but after researching the story around the Mead Barn, I am very impressed and I applaud their proposal. I have watched as the Waveny Park Conservancy works to rescue and preserve our treasured yet tired town park, I am aware of the huge and constant contributions of the Beautification League and the Garden Club, and I have personally donated countless hours of pro bono landscape design, installation and maintenance work on town property. The town needs to recognize, embrace and celebrate the efforts of the many volunteers who are willing to give so much to make New Canaan special and beautiful. The Preservation Alliance is offering the town a gift, with the promise of more gifts to come. Refusing this gift, refusing this partnership, especially in light of the long list of historically significant buildings that need attention, ( Waveny! Nature Center!) would be incredibly foolish. Open your eyes to this opportunity right in front of you. Graciously accept this amazing offer of expert hard work and funding which will begin to chip away at your list of property problems. Do the smart thing.

Respectfully, 

Leslie Clark Kammerer