<p>The old Entwhistle Building on the harborfront property known as Boch Park in Vineyard Haven came down on Wednesday, capping years of discussion.</p>
The old Entwhistle Building on the harborfront property known as Boch Park in Vineyard Haven came down on Wednesday, capping years of discussion about demolition.
Future of waterfront property is uncertain.
Future of waterfront property is uncertain.
Property owner Ernie Boch Jr. paid for the demolition using a private contractor, town administrator John (Jay) Grande confirmed.
Early last month the Tisbury selectmen gave the building inspector approval to move forward with razing the derelict building at 20 Beach Road, without the cooperation of Mr. Boch. At the time the town said it would pay for the demolition and then place a lien on the property.
Discussions about the demolition had been ongoing for three years between building inspector Kenneth Barwick and Mr. Boch’s attorney. Mr. Barwick told the selectmen that talks had broken off after he tried to have the property owner apply for a demolition permit and take down the building at his own expense.
Owner Ernie Boch Jr. paid for the demolition using a private contractor.
Owner Ernie Boch Jr. paid for the demolition using a private contractor.
Shortly after the decision by the selectmen, talk resumed with Mr. Boch’s attorney, Mark Bobrowski. Mr. Grande said May 13 was a turning point in the discussions.
“On that date we got a strong sense that they’d be filing the demolition permit and they did, and that they would coordinate with the state police and they did, and that they’d contract with their contractor and they did,” he said.
As for the future, Mr. Grande says he does not know what is in store for the property.
“I sent an inquiry to open up communication about the future plans,” he said. “It’s a very critical piece of property.”
Comments
Mr Boch has been very
JAMr Boch has been very beneficial to the town by paying the taxes all these years. One would hope the town administration will work with Mr Boch to develop something positive for the gateway to the island. Mr Boch is clearly a savvy businessperson as well as a generous man. I hope the town doesn't dig its heels in too deep to move forward.
Would love to find out how
Tisbury voter Vineyard haven ma.Would love to find out how much Town spent fighting the project?hopefully Town Admintrators and MV commission will work with Stop and Shop Co.and continue getting the area cleaned up.its a give and take and working with bussiness who are willing to help at there expense not the tax payers who foot the legal bills incurred by ridicules request by town officials ,we must remember those desitions and expenses are past down to us the consumers.
Let this be the start of the
Kenny L TisburyLet this be the start of the beautification of Beach Road. Vineyard Haven Harbor has so much potential, and the marine use only restrictions created in 1996 have hampered not helped the development of the waterfront for the greater enjoyment of residents and visitiors to the Town. The notion of a strictly working harbor benefits only a few not many, and the Town needs a plan that includes greater access to the waterfront with recreational use part of that consideration. It is time for a change
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