9/7/2009 6:00:00 AM Company delays house demolition
The Anderberg House
Ryan Dostalek ConnectFitchburg.com
The Alexander Company has agreed to wait until the end of 2009 (and perhaps longer) before demolishing the Anderberg House.
"Despite a lack of progress to date to reach such a solution, the house still stands as does our offer to sell the property to the city and/or discuss options to allow the city to move the home to an alternate location," Joe Alexander wrote, in a recent exchange of e-mails with Mayor Jay Allen.
Allen reviewed several of the firm's actions that he said were indicative of "a more hostile than positive relationship" with the city.
Allen said the firm took out a demolition permit for the house just two days after the Fitchburg Historical Society asked the Alexander Company to consider the historical merits of the house, failing to consult with the city before clear-cutting trees in addition to reports that a representative of the company told tenants the company would demolish the house on Sept. 12.
Alexander said the firm acquired a demolition permit to make sure two houses on the site would "be taken out of service and to secure property rights, and had written the city indicating it was forestalling demolition pending an agreement to reach "a mutually agreeable solution," which could entail purchase or moving the house.
He said the firm had clearly indicated its intentions to remove trees from some areas and had obtained all necessary approvals to do so. Most of the trees "were cottonwoods and other similar weed species," although "a small number of nice trees...regrettably had to be removed," he wrote.
Alexander said no representative of the firm had told residents the house would be demolished Sept. 12.
A consultant knowledgeable about historical preservation, who has cooperated with the Fitchburg Historical Socity but wants to remain anonymous since he is not authorized to speak on the group's behalf, said the Anderberg House was "definitely structurally sound, with a solid foundation, plumb walls and square lines."
Most of the original stucco is intact and damaged areas, primarily to the porch, would be relatively easy to repair, he said.
"It would be ideal if the house could remain at its original location," a highly visible site that maintains its original association with the land, he said.
In addition to serving as an example of the Arts and Craft style, the house also reflects the Anderbergs' Swedish heritage - it's a copy of a (now preserved) house in Sweden associated with the formation of Alcoholics Anonymous.
Numerous drawings on the walls feature Swedish scenes, such as the palaces of the Swedish king and queen, he said.
The consultant said TIF funds have been used elsewhere to protect historical sites.
Tenants have agreed to leave the houses by Sept. 8. They have permission to garden until Sept. 30 and, with advance permission, can return to the gardens twice during October.
About 30 families use community gardens on the site. Among them is Rosalio Florez, 29,who has gardened there for two years, raising melons, peppers, onions and other produce for four family members.
