Browne letterCarolyn Misch <cmisch@northamptonma.gov>
Plans to demolish St John's
Luke Browne <lukembrowne@gmail.com>Thu, Apr 29, 2021 at 1:31 PM
To: cmisch@northamptonma.gov
Dear Carolyn Misch or to whom it may concern,
I am a current resident of Ward 3 and have recently become aware of the situation regarding the proposed demolition of St. John
Cantius Church by the O'Connell Development Group. It really pains me to think such a beautiful and treasured structure will
potentially be destroyed to build condos. It would be a great loss to the Northampton community to lose this architectural gem, and
what would we gain in its place? A small set of luxury condos that 95% of people in Northampton could not afford to live in? To trade a
public treasure for the comfort and profit of the rich? Is that what Northampton is all about? That certainly does not align with my
personal values.
As a renter and someone who has been looking to purchase a house for 6 months, I understand some of the nuances of the housing
situation here in the Valley. If the plans in demolishing the church were to build a set of high-density, affordable housing, I would not be
so opposed to the plan, as that is something Northampton desperately needs. However, Northampton as a community does not need
more high end condos. Case in point - several luxury condos right down the street on Pomeroy Terrace have been sitting on the
market vacant for a long time, in a housing market where properties generally sell < 1 week.
Demolishing a church to build luxury condos that only benefit the privileged few will contribute to inequity, lack of affordable housing,
and will not contribute to building a community in Northampton that I know it can be.
If at all possible, alternative options should be explored. I also agree with my fellow neighbors in Ward 3 that it would be prudent for
those in charge of determining whether the demolition should conduct a site visit and obtain an independent assessment of the current
state of the property and the resources required to renovate the property.
Thank you for your time and consideration,
Luke Browne
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Luke Browne
Postdoctoral Associate
School of the Environment
Yale University
Phone: (985) 768 - 1781
Email: lukembrowne@gmail.com
Website: http://lukembrowne.github.io