The former residence of Herreshoff scion, naval architect, sailor, longtime Town Council member and former Town Administrator Halsey Herreshoff sold for $725,000 on Jan. 8. Located at 125 Hope Street, just north of The Lobster Pot, the structure, built in 1930, enjoys a prime waterfront location at the head of Bristol Harbor — but at this point, that’s about all it has going for it.

The new owner, Nancy DiPrete Laurienzo of Tiverton, came to the March 6 meeting of the Historic District Commission armed with a comprehensive inspection report detailing a truly impressive number of structural issues and deficiencies, and requested permission to demolish the structure.

A laundry list of flaws

The 33-page inspection report, prepared for Laurienzo by WSP USA Buildings Inc., detailed structural issues from the roofline to the foundation, including gaps and holes in the roof and siding, deteriorated eaves, improperly anchored structural sills, split joists, failing mortar, cracked and deteriorated exterior walls, rotted wood, and a cracked foundation, among many other issues. Many of these failings have allowed water to infiltrate the structure over the years, and that water damage is evidenced in locations throughout the interior.

Absent a plan to replace the structure, the Commission was reluctant to approve demolition. A further valid concern was raised by Catherine Zipf, executive director of the Bristol Historical & Preservation Society. She pointed out that that any replacement structure, given contemporary building codes on a site that is so close to the water, would be overpowering for the site given minimum elevation requirements in what is a Special Flood Hazard Area.

Laurienzo will need to obtain permitting from the Coastal Resources Management Council for any new structure, which will then require a demolition permit issued from Rhode Island Historic Preservation, whose decision would overrule any made at the local level.

The HDC decided to defer their decision and schedule a walk-through of the property before their next meeting on April 3.

Yarn Mill windows approved

The developers of the Bristol Yarn Mill, the site of the former Robin Rug factory, presented their window plans to the HDC for final approval, which they were given. They were also given specific permission to demolish a small non-historic cinderblock building on the property, just east of the adjacent Maritime Center. Harbormaster Gregg Marsili is encouraging that demolition happen sooner than later, so it doesn’t impact operations at the marina as the boating season gets underway. According to HDC member Chris Ponder, while the Yarn Mill developers have general approval for their overall plan, they will continue to return to the HDC as specific issues and details arise.