Or maybe more to the point, Dr. Sosulski – what frightens YOU? There must be something that you don’t want us to discover with the mold issue at the Armory since you denied my request to have an independent, third-party assessment of the mold situation in the Armory.
For the rest of you just tuning in, Washington College would like to tear down the Armory due to their perception that mold found in the Armory cannot be successfully removed. Incidentally, the mold issue was caused by the college’s lack of maintenance of the building over the last ten years. I and colleagues with extensive facility management experience believe the building can be remediated and saved. Even the college’s own experts suggest that a mold remediation study should be conducted.
I hand-delivered a letter to you asking politely if we could have access to the Armory for four hours on a Friday to conduct our own mold remediation survey that I plan to pay for myself. This would be using a nationally-recognized, unbiased expert in the field for this study. I plan to share the results of this report with all interested parties regardless of the results.
I received a letter back from you that not only denied my request and went on to insinuate that I would be prosecuted for trespassing if I or others attempted to go into the building. My letter to you was to request access to the building and in no way did I ever plan on trespassing in the building. [Both letters are posted on savethearmory.org and the Facebook page “Repurpose the Chestertown Armory.”]
I can only assume that Washington College does not want the truth to come out, which is that the mold contamination found in the Armory can be remediated. If this is true, then the whole argument for tearing down a building on the National Register of Historic Places falls to pieces – obviously something the College doesn’t want.
I urge you and the Historic District Commission to reconsider your decision to exclude others from seeking the truth about what really lurks behind the walls of the Armory. I believe the decision to tear down the Armory is one that should be based on as many data points as possible – especially if it is not going to cost the College or the HDC anything. The HDC can then use these data points to make an informed decision about the future of the Armory. Or do you just want your agenda to be the only one considered by the HDC? I would urge you to reconsider excluding others from seeking the truth.
Steven R. Mitchell
Chestertown
Brandt Troup says
14 years after all the “Save the Armory, Yes” signs dotted the Ctown landscape, I suppose it has been saved. Fee revenue earned as a admission to an historical museum: zero. Property taxes collected from the owners of the property who have an institutional exemption: zero. Lodging taxes collected to date with all this red tape: zero.
I have no ties to WaC, beyond watching soccer games for zero admission and the occasional tip for pizzas I deliver. But better is better. Their plan is better.
And we could use another middle school.
Valerie Overton says
Amen
Walter Palmer says
I totally agree with the author. Something is fishy.
What really puzzles me is why aren’t the developers and WC looking at the old burnt up Cannon 98
Its for sale, a better location, not expensive for waterfront, its attached to a marina. I just don’t get it. It makes much more sense to put a hotel in town on the waterfront in a property that is free of any historical restrictions
Sherry says
Save it. It’s history and a lot that goes with it. Turn it into a museum so all can enjoy it ❤️
Patrick Bushby says
I have suggested in the past a prime educational community wide use for the Armory: a perfectly harmonious adaptive reuse of the grounds and structure.
It would make a perfect MARITIME TRADES SCHOOL.
For our young high school graduates in Kent County, not interested in a conventional college experience, many of whom have already worked as helping hands in and around our protean waters.
Having the opportunity to grow and acquire advanced marine trade skills in an industry crying out for skilled technicians, would be a boon and an a blessing for our otherwise excluded youth.
Once before, Kent Country had a marvelous opportunity to create and develop an advanced trade school, only to be shot down by the strong arm tactics of a non taxpaying, exclusive benefit, waterfront gobbling single interest institution.
The bait and switch doesn’t have to happen again.
As a former, Historic District Commission member that worked in architecture design and restoration for over fifty years, I have seen Washington College bulldoze an important historically and culturally significant structure around which one of our most important architectural districts grew and blossomed.
Let’s not let that happen again.
Karen O'Connor says
The whole situation with the Armory has been blown out of proportion by those who have no constructive alternative to offer. Instead of finger-pointing and innuendo, put your own money into the mix or come up with a “better” idea that generates jobs and revenue for the community and the college. The college has owned the Armory for quite awhile, and 3 {or is it 4} Presidents have come and gone. I submit that the hostility is misdirected: The Board of Visitors and Governors has ultimate responsibility for the College and no doubt was a part of the initial decision to acquire the property and is fully aware of the current state of affairs. So perhaps those with an axe to grind should be in communication with the appropriate authorities. A museum is unlikely to attract the attention of visitors in contrast to the possibility of a vibrant hospitality venue that we are sorely lacking in Kent County.
Jenn Baker says
This is a private building owned by a private institution. While the writer may be an expert in architecture, they are not an expert in the strategy or financial and strategic needs of the owner, or the county. Don’t stop the future because your view is the rear view mirror.
Joan Elburn Farley says
Washington College is afraid – afraid that evaluation by an independent mold evaluation and remediation survey would prove that the Chestertown Armory CAN be remediated and remodeled using the 92-year-old building as the basis for their proposed boutique motel, such as the beautiful Armory Hotel in Boise, MT. This building must be rescued from the demolition by neglect plans of the college. When the college accepted the keys to the armory, they vowed to take care of it. They purposely neglected this building to allow the condition it is in, and that is shameful. The brave soldiers that called that armory home for so many years, and the community that used it for so many events deserve better. The Historic Commission must have this mold survey and other pertinent data in order to make the right decision regarding the future of the Chestertown Armory. This is a huge decision and one that must be considered carefully before destroying a significant piece of Chestertown’s history. I pray the Historic Commission will be strong enough and brave enough to do the right thing – repurpose the Chestertown Armory!
neal carter says
Why should the public know the truth about the Armory? The public was not told the truth involving the 98 Cannon fire…
Brian FitzPatrick says
The time to control what is done with this property has passed! The Town needs to do a better job of taking charge of it’s property, especially waterfront property. While the College is an important part of the community, you can not continue to bow to their every desire. Giving the property to a non profit organization, especially one with a huge endowment, does not benefit the town. There is no no longer any waterfront property that can be developed into a tax generating business. Any future growth along the waterfront just went away. I applaud the College for their entrepreneurial efforts. They now own all the best waterfront property in the town! Any opposition to their use or intended use should have been discussed and debated before the property was handed over. That bus left the station.
Richard Keaveney says
Diverse opinion and the freedom to express such is a gift. It is even a greater gift when opinions and points of view are expressed without animosity, threat, fear mongering and personal insult.
It is widely known that the VAST MAJORITY of our community support the college effort to finally making something wonderful happen with the armory property. It is one of the reasons why the handful of antagonists (and they are few in number) changed their marketing efforts to saving the armory AND supporting a boutique hotel. The few who are opposed are quite aware of how most of their friends, neighbors, business owners, visitors to our town and others truly feel. If you feel otherwise, you remind me of candidates for office who hear so many say to their face “you got my vote!”.
While the comments of one local investor at the October HDC were unfortunate when he informed the audience the patience of investors is wearing thin, at this moment in time the college has a unique opportunity for a locally driven (as in the investors LOVE CHESTERTOWN) boutique hotel project that will provide the largest economic benefit for this small waterfront town and pair well with a thriving marina, waterfront restaurant, and award winning walking trail.
Steve et al – I do think Mike Sosulski is hiding something – HIS love, determination and enthusiasm for the future of his college and community.
Joe Cavallaro says
IMO, many fair and valid points have been outlined on both sides of what is anything but a straightforward issue. However, I strongly lean toward moving on with the College’s proposal (appreciating that I may not be as fully informed on all of the nuances and history as some of the other commenters). My logic is pretty simple: 1) the college owns the property; 2) the town would benefit greatly from the proposed development; 3) I assume the economics of developing new are feasible while the economics of remediating and renovating are likely not given the building’s condition – and isn’t that the College’s call anyway?; and 4) any reasonable proposal seems preferable to letting the building continue to rot into the river. One last point, while I’m no architecture expert, is the armory really that fantastic or significant anyway? Strikes me as more of an eyesore than anything.
My two cents only.