Nantucket commission raises preservation concerns over Coast Guard plan to replace Brant Point range lights

The Nantucket Historical Commission on May 15 questioned a U.S. Coast Guard proposal to remove century-old wooden range lights at Brant Point and replace them with Coast Guard standard metal 5×5 towers, saying the change could alter the character of a National Historic Landmark approach to the harbor.

At a presentation to the commission, a Coast Guard representative summarized the lights’ history and an engineering inspection. “All elements have experienced at a minimum minor fungal decay with the most at least about 50% [having] major decay, making the range light tower unsafe to climb or even be nearby,” said Lieutenant Beata of the Coast Guard, who described the inspection findings and a shift from a limited anchor-bolt repair to full replacement because of safety and maintenance concerns. Beata also supplied estimated plant-replacement values, saying the front range tower had an estimated replacement value of $1,200,000 and the rear $3,500,000.

Commission members and staff pressed the Coast Guard for alternatives that would preserve the towers’ 1908 character. "I do think it's an adverse impact on our national historic landmark to introduce this much more modern, much more sort of industrial feeling," Chair Rita Carr said, urging consideration of repair in kind, a raised foundation or a façade solution that would retain visual continuity with the historic setting.

Coast Guard officials said they had considered rebuilding in kind but that cost and funding timelines would be substantial. They described alternative ideas — a monopole with a façade to resemble the historic form, composite materials that could better withstand salt spray, and potential elevation of the bases to respond to flooding — and proposed mitigation approaches if replacement proceeds. "We were proposing to construct a monument to the current towers nearby or [are] also open to other alternative mitigation techniques that you might consider," a Coast Guard representative said; commissioners questioned whether a nearby monument would substitute for preserving the existing character and suggested online interpretation would not be an adequate replacement.

The commission requested that the Coast Guard seek comment from the State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO) and agreed to send a letter to the MHC reflecting the commission's concerns and comments. The commission voted to write that letter and asked that the Coast Guard return with SHPO feedback before proceeding with a final plan.

What happens next: the Coast Guard will seek SHPO guidance and return to the commission; the HDC-planned letter will record the commission’s objections and suggested alternatives.