Chestertown Historic District Commission
Reference: Application BP230185
Chestertown Armory
Dear Chairperson Smith and Commissioners,
I have been asked numerous times if I would endorse a proposal that maintains the Armory’s headhouse with demolition of the drill hall. I have given the question fair consideration and would like to share my answer with you, the decision makers. The process began 17 months ago when I made a site visit in December 2022. As a result, I became curious, and a comprehensive data bank of varied information grew along the way that also fueled many editorials. My measured answer is, no, I would not endorse such a proposal. Although there was much information considered, it can be condensed into what I refer to as the Top 10 reasons that shaped my conclusion.
TOP 10 REASONS WHY…
SEVERING THE 1931 ARMORY IS A FLAWED PROPOSAL
- Entire Building was Listed on the National Register of Historic Places
- Entire Building is Structurally Sound and Mold can be Remediated
- Entire Building can Remain in a Flood Zone and can be Flood Proofed
- Entire Building is Suitable for Adaptive Reuse
- Drill Hall was Dedicated in Honor of a Local WWII Hero
- Drill Hall was a Community Social Hub for over 50 Years
- Drill Hall is Part of the Local African American Story
- Grants are Available for the Drill Hall Restoration by the African American
Heritage Preservation Program
- Grants are Available for Renovations and Flood Proofing from MHT & FEMA
- Building Designed by an Eminent Maryland Architect recognized by the AIA
Summation…TAKE AWAY THE DRILL HALL, TAKE AWAY HISTORY AND FUNDING.
I request careful review of the entire record of information that interested citizens have made available to you along with all applicable items of the Historic Guidelines.
Being faced with a decision to demolish a historic building is a tremendous responsibility, for once it is gone, it is gone forever. The stakes are even higher with this building being listed on the National Register of Historic Places and home to one of the most recognized and highly decorated infantry divisions of WWII. This is after all a military story which morphed into a rich community story with ties to the era of segregation and the famous ‘Chitlin Circuit’ of the 1960’s. Irreplaceable is the entire history and the entire 1931 building. Be guided accordingly for, in my opinion, demolition is an end and not a beginning in the matter of the John H. Newnam Chestertown Armory.
Respectfully submitted,
Thomas W. Kocubinski
Joan Farley says
Thomas Kocubinski has spent a year and a half investigating the Chestertown Armory, researching its rich history, and doing the leg work required to get expert review of the problems plaguing the armory and their remediation. He has even researched the grants available to make the dream of repurposing the John H. Newnam Armory into a unique boutique hotel that will be an added destination spot within the beautiful environs of Chestertown, into a reality. I sincerely hope the HDC will carefully review all of the available research and facts presented and make the only correct decision regarding this historic site, the repurposing of the Chestertown Armory in its entirety.
Richard Keaveney says
ALL of the “reasons” listed have been addressed numerous times by the College and potential advisors. I encourage everyone to read again President Sosulski’s “Clarifying Misunderstandings with WWC’s Plans for the Armory Site in October 2023.
The Spy also did a great, in-depth interview with the President and the developers for the Armory site, which clearly laid out the project’s history and its anticipated financial impact to Chestertown, as well as the building’s current environmental damage and the associated risk of leaving the existing structure in place.
It seems to me and several of my more objective friends that the college has remained consistent in its communications and reports to HDC and made the findings of experts and all requested inspectors public ahead of each meeting with the Commission. It would be nice to have these tired and factually incorrect opinions retired from the pages of this paper.