Architect: Historic Chapman Street firehouse structurally sound; committee leans toward storage

TLB Architecture told the Permanent Municipal Building Committee that the Chapman Street firehouse is structurally intact but requires significant exterior and mechanical work to be reusable.

"We finished up our field work, three rounds of field work, about a week ago," said architect Mike Fortuna, summarizing the study the firm conducted that included a conditions assessment and Phase I environmental analysis. Fortuna said the firm found no structural failures in the foundation or primary load-bearing walls but identified widespread brick deterioration, corroding steel lintels, failed roof membranes and asphalt shingles at the end of their life.

Fortuna said crews documented moisture intrusion at the base of the masonry where grade changes have buried some brick, and he recommended regrading, a stone trench or French drain at the foundation, repointing and selective brick replacement. He also recommended full roof replacement and localized wood and cupola repairs. "It's a clean site," he said of the Phase I environmental results, noting asbestos in vinyl floor tile and leveling compounds and lead paint present at levels flagged for awareness rather than mandatory abatement.

Town manager Jonathan told the committee the council's marching orders are to focus on renovating the structure first and decide on exact end uses later. "We're focused on renovating the structure, not worrying about its end use," he said, a position several members reiterated in question-and-answer.

Committee members asked what difference occupation would make for cost and code compliance. Fortuna said occupying the building would trigger energy-code requirements, additional ventilation and potentially sprinklers, along with HVAC and electrical upgrades. "It's probably more like 50 to 75% additional cost" to convert the shell into occupied space rather than leaving it as storage, he said.

That forecast, together with the building's historic‑district status, shaped committee views. Fortuna noted the property is a contributing structure in the Newington Junction West Historic District and recommended following Department of the Interior rehabilitation standards for exterior work. He said changes to the flat‑roof north wing (a later addition) and the front bay openings would be constrained by historic‑review processes and might affect eligibility for future incentives.

On utilities, the architect reported the domestic water service has been turned off and should be tested before reactivation; there is a buried 4‑inch sewer line whose termination requires tracing; and a high‑pressure gas service at the rear currently serves only a single unit heater. Fortuna said the trench drain in the south bay will likely be capped unless a vehicle maintenance use requires an oil/water separator.

Members generally expressed support for re‑establishing the exterior envelope first to make the building weathertight and structurally sound, then returning with options and line‑item costs for adding bathrooms, conditioned spaces or vehicle storage. Committee member Don Brown asked whether the report identified any foundation issues; Fortuna said "nothing significant," describing mostly localized water damage and joist bracing adjustments in the north bay.

Next steps: Fortuna said the team will finalize recommendations and deliver cost inputs to an estimator, with a final report expected in about a month and interim cost information available sooner to support decisions. The committee then moved to other business, approved prior meeting minutes for 04/02/2026 unanimously and adjourned at 7:02 p.m.

Actions at the meeting included the unanimous approval of the prior meeting minutes and a unanimous vote to adjourn. The study team will coordinate follow-up meetings with the town manager to complete the final report and cost estimates.