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Milton’s Casa San Francisco, a Catholic shelter for people in crisis, is facing a crisis of its own.
A request to demolish the farmhouse building at 127 Broad St. was denied. Four historic preservation board members voted against the demolition and two members abstained at a Thursday, Aug. 7 meeting.
The board says the structure, built in the 1850s, is a part of Milton’s history and should be saved. They also say the agency owns an empty lot across the street that could be used to relocate the old farmhouse – one option Casa officials are considering. In the meantime,
Casa officials say they need a more modern, efficient building.
The agency provides an emergency shelter and food pantry at the building that is owned by the Catholic Diocese of Wilmington, which requested the demolition permit.
Last year, a volunteer group rolled on fresh coats of paint, installed cabinets and tried to restore sagging floors. But, Casa officials wanted to make space for two additional bedrooms by demolishing the existing shelter and building a new one.
An architectural report presented at the meeting indicated that doors don’t fit and floors sag. Rebecca Sheppard, a professor at the University of Delaware Urban Affairs and Public Policy said the building was built in the 1850s.
She said the house was in decent shape, but is not historically exceptional. Over the years, siding and other non-historic, cosmetic elements have been added which, some say, compromises the building’s historical integrity.
Board member Jack Vessels abstained from voting. “I didn’t find a whole lot of interest in the house.
They claimed it was old – from the 1850s. It doesn’t look that old to me. I think the work they do there is more important than the house,” he said.
Member Michael Ostinato voted to save the structure. He said he values the work the charity does but that the house is in a historically significant part of town.
“I denied the request because the original structure is on the list of historically registered homes. The new place they want to build is beautiful, but Broad Street is one of the most historic streets in Milton,” he said.
“I think we’re considering all options and we have to be successful,” said Casa San Francisco Project Manager Leah Sullivan. “We’re not at a point where we can talk.”.
Mark Dunkle, a Dover-based attorney representing Casa, could not be reached for comment at press time.
“Tearing down a historic building just because it’s the easiest thing to do is not the best option. I don’t know what kind of precedent that would set,” Ostinato said. “My view is that a historic building should not be torn down – especially this quick – without a forethought.”
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