Plymouth: Selectmen look at wide range of projects, and price tags, for old town buildings

The Plymouth Board of Selectmen heard an update by the 1820 Consortium, the Redevelopment Authority and CBT Architects on the Historic Structures Survey of the 1820 Court House and the Commissioner’s Building.

Options presented ranged from mothballing, while a best use is developed, to long-term uses such as a visitor’s center, or converting the building to office or residential space. The price range for these choices begins at about a $100,000 to stabilize and mothball to about $9 million to redevelop as a visitor’s center.

Selectman Chairman Bill Hallisey said, “Obviously it needs a tremendous amount of work and you’re talking in the millions of dollars. I have a big concern because obviously there needs to be a reinvestment policy. I mean you cannot sink millions of dollars into a building without a revenue stream to back the reinvestment policy. You have an obligation to your residents to spend their money and spend it wisely.”

The group will report to the Selectboard next month and that presentation will include a projected revenue stream related to each proposed use.