New Bedford Guide Your Guide to New Bedford and South Coast, MA
Congdon-Lucas House built in 1840
The City of New Bedford has announced it will request “expressions of interest proposals” from qualified developers for the rehabilitation, operation and management of the vacant historic building located in Hazelwood Park in the City’s South End.
The Congdon-Lucas House, once a homestead of a rural estate, has been a part of Hazelwood Park since it was acquired by the City of New Bedford in 1901. The iconic Gothic Revival-style structure was built in 1840 and is currently vacant and closed to the public.
Hazelwood Park is a 23-acre park located on New Bedford’s southern peninsula overlooking scenic Clarks’s Cove and municipal beaches. The building is sited on an elevated plateau east of the shoreline, and has dramatic westerly vistas of Buzzard’s Bay.
The City of New Bedford has modeled the Request for Expressions of Interest (RFEI) after the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) Historic Curatorship Program. It is designed to bring the ideal partner to this unique landmark and identify a mutually beneficial way forward that will allow the people of New Bedford to appreciate and enjoy the building for generations to come.
“The Historic Curatorship Program is a national model and has helped DCR preserve many underutilized historically significant properties,” said Mayor Jon Mitchell. He added, “We want to put that same model to work for New Bedford. The strategy is to partner with outside entities that conduct rehabilitation, management and maintenance services in exchange for credit towards a long term lease.”
Like all curator-ship properties, the Congdon-Lucas House presents interesting challenges and many unique opportunities. The City hopes that by finding a partner with long term vision for the property and a sustainable plan, the iconic building will reclaim its place of prominence within Hazelwood Park. August 16, 2013 is the deadline to respond to the City’s RFEI.
