This Old Home

"Location, Location, Location" addressed one aspect of the New Government Center and This Old Home and Got Space? examine renovation vs. building.

This is "30 Belvidere". The former fire company building that now houses the Nazareth Police Department and Borough Administration.

The facility is at the heart of the issue concerning the New Government Center in Nazareth that has been proposed to be built at "Nazareth Hall Park" as an addition to Council Chambers. The new facility was proposed to be 12,000 square feet.

The Build vs. Renovate debate significantly impacts the location issue because to build new greatly reduces the available location options and raises another significant concern - Open Space (regarding this aspect, read Got Space?). By renovate, I want to clarify that I don't mean cosmetically, but significantly.

Nazareth is landlocked, and moreover constricted by the quaries surrounding it. There is no more land to be had.

Based on statistics from 2000, I examined the year residential homes were built in Nazareth (statistics available online here). In short, from 1990 to 2000 there were 65 homes built. From 1980 to 1989 there were 277. From 1960 to 1979 there were 286. From 1940 to 1959 there were 534. And there are 1,296 homes that were built on or before 1939.

Based on this figure it is clear that there is a diminishing curve as the space has been nearly completely consumed and 56% of the homes in Nazareth were built in 1939 or earlier.

This is the period of time when the 30 Belvidere facility was built. It is not an uncommon age for the building, it is the most common age. Given renovations of other buildings in the community in recent years, I think it is safe to say that renovating is not only possible, but that it occurs with regularity in Nazareth. A few examples:

• The law offices of Asteak and DeWalt on the Circle. The School District had a similar approach to maintenance as the Borough appears to have had with 30 Belvidere. The district offices had patchwork repairs and no effort was put into preserving the integrity of the original building. I took a tour of the building shortly after the renovations were completed and the turnaround was nothing short of amazing.
• The Kern House on the Circle. Again, previously owned by the school district, the restoration of this historic home returned it to its "original" form. The Moravian Historical Society has had challenges keeping this building "financially viable". I'd suggest that if there is not enough space at 30 Belvidere, the Borough enter into discussions with the Society regarding a long-term lease to accomodate some functions, such as Mayor's Office, Council President's Office and other non-police administrative functions. It is close to the Council Chambers and would be less expensive than building. Ideally some space could be rented or donated in-kind to the Main Street Initiative.
• The Mill at South New and Main. Not sure of the original name, but when they were selling feed I stopped in once to support the local business and while there I wasn't 100% sure if a part of the roof was going to fall down or if I was going to go through the floor. The complete renovation and transition by Ray Orwig was quite remarkable. While I'd have preferred some restoration to its original shape and use as a business, I can't disrespect providing housing for people who want to be in Nazareth as I do, nor those who provide them the opportunity. We simply need to balance new housing with new business. Regardless of this the renovation was phenomenal, and I would guess profitable.

These three examples demonstate what can be done, and open one further option to the Borough. Renovate the existing facility and re-locating certain services to another location if more space is actually needed.

Having tossed the Kern House suggestion off the cuff I'm liking it more and more. How nice it would be to have the Borough present during Evenings on Main Street or Candlelight Tours with their door open and the Mayor and other members of Council greeting them from an historic town treasure. It would not only ease there stated space needs it would preserve an historic building and assist the Society that saved it.

What do you think? Can government renovate as business can? Or is it too difficult without a profit motive?