BEROW & MONROE: Director says old building is worth saving, redeveloping

Neighbors of Watertown Inc. is eyeing the Court Street building that the city recently took ownership of as its next rehabilitation project.

Neighbors Executive Director Gary C. Beasley said Friday that he plans to attend Monday night’s Watertown City Council meeting to talk to council members about acquiring the deteriorating building at 138 Court St. that once housed Berow & Monroe Shoes.

On Sept. 23, Neighbors and city officials took a tour of the three-story building to inspect its condition. Although he said his organization doesn’t have any definitive plans for the building, Mr. Beasley said it is worth saving.

“It’s a neat, old historic building. It’s a key building and it’s important to keep the street intact,” he said.

City Manager Mary M. Corriveau confirmed that a private group also has expressed interest in the building that the city acquired Sept. 20 after owner Alex D. Rahmi failed to pay $17,476.96 in back taxes and interest. She would not identify the other interested party.

Council members may decide Monday night how to sell the building, Mrs. Corriveau said. They have the options of holding a public auction or conducting a private sale, she said.

Mr. Beasley said Neighbors has a proven record at restoring downtown landmarks, including the Franklin, Marcy and Burdick buildings, over the years.

“We’ll have a discussion with council,” he said, noting that his board hasn’t had a chance to take a look at the project yet.

Mr. Rahmi purchased the 13,330-square-foot building that housed apartments upstairs for $135,000 in 2007, two years after the longtime shoe store closed. The city condemned the Court Street property in June 2008 because of unsanitary conditions and damage to walls, floors and ceilings caused by leaking water.

The council meeting starts at 7 p.m. Monday in the third-floor council chambers at City Hall, 245 Washington St.

A public hearing will be held at 7:30 p.m. on whether the council should approve rezoning the back portion of the property at the Sunoco gas station and convenience store at 1222 Washington St. from Residence A to Neighborhood Business. The owner wants to demolish the store and build a slightly larger one. At last month’s city Planning Board meeting, several neighbors objected to the proposal, saying it would change the character of the neighborhood.