Sweetser House deal collapses
Published on September 15th, 1999
STONEHAM, MA - The Sweetser House is not moving to Franklin Street; the deal fell through. But, the house may still survive.
"We are not going to go forward with the project unless we get the bill of sale," said attorney Steven Cicatelli, representing Richard Johnson.
"They are not getting it," said Joe Cunningham.
Stoneham developer Joe Cunningham is developing the old Maynard Moore factory property on Main Street for the Bloomberg family. The site includes the Greek Revival style home known as the Sweetser House. The home dates back to the 1840s, and the Historical Commission was anxious to preserve the structure.
"It's unfortunate we all couldn't have communicated better," said Bee Russo of the Historical Commission.
Cunningham was authorized by the Bloombergs to do as he wished with the Sweetser House. He offered the house to the town, requesting that someone else pay for the move and renovations.
The town looked for places to relocate the house and for financial assistance with the move and renovations.
Richard Johnson, a developer from Winchester with experience renovating historical homes, stepped forward. He proposed to move the home to property he owns on Franklin Street near the intersection of Pine Street. Johnson would pay for the move and renovations and then convert the home into three rental apartment units. The outside appearance would remain intact.
But Cunningham does not want to give control of part of his work site to another party, over which he has no control.
"How do I know when they are going to move the house," he said.
Cicatelli said his client was not about to spend $40,000 to move something that was not legally his.
"If we had the bill of sale, we'd move it," he said.
Cunningham was also put off, he said, by a request made by Cicatelli on Johnson's behalf that the Bloombergs assist with relocation costs.
Now that the Johnson deal has gone sour, Cunningham says he will pay to move the house to an alternate location.
"I have a spot I am thinking of that will be more historically significant," Cunningham said.
Cunningham says he is speaking with the Bloombergs and the town about his plan to move the classic home.
Russo has yet to hear from Cunningham.
"We are standing by ready to lend support," Russo said.
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