We, the undersigned, support the Special Permit Application for 477 Main St. requesting the adaptive reuse of this historic property (the 1875 Onslow Gilmore House, which is on the National Register of Historic Places (STN.25) which is before the Stoneham Planning Board Wed Aug 14 at 7pm.

The plan is for the original house to be converted into two condominiums with an architecturally sympathetic addition with 5 condominiums over the current parking lot makes sense.

Without the special permit, the building will be torn down and condos built on the site anyway.

It's rare that a developer is willing to save a historic building; Stoneham has lost dozens of both residential and commercial properties since 2017, such as the Dairy Dome. The town now has an opportunity to retain a piece of Main St Stoneham history and increase the property taxes on the property.

Reusing the house preserves the identity of the neighborhood as it is a twin to the Clara Buswell House (STN.24) at 481 Main Street, also listed on the National Register. Similar Italianate-style houses dotted Main St after the Civil War; but these two are the only survivors with this Italianate design, with their gable-end fronts, bow windows, and ornate scrollwork.

Adaptive reuse is environmentally responsible. Repurposing this historic structure reduces the need for new construction materials and minimizes waste from demolition.

We urge the Stoneham Planning Board to approve the special permit and prevent this beautiful piece of history from being destroyed.