September 26, 2017 Vote Dorchester! Vote Often! Upham’s Corner focus of American Express Funding Competition
Historic Boston Inc., Dorchester Bay EDC, and Upham’s Corner Main Street need your help. Visit the Partners in Preservation web site and register to vote daily to position Sip & Spoke Bike Kitchen at the Upham’s Corner’s Comfort Station and the historic Pierce Building for funding from American Express, National Geographic and the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s the Partners in Preservation Program.
Twenty-five historic preservation projects across the United States are vying for $2 million. Funds amounts will be given based on rankings in the voting process. Help the Dorchester team win by voting daily (with all of your five (5) available daily votes)! Visit the Partners in Preservation voting site to register and vote today. Voting begins September 25th and ends October 31st.
The 1912 Upham’s Corner Comfort Station was built as a convenience station and is one of the few remaining buildings associated with Boston’s early streetcar system. It lies at the corner of the 1630 Dorchester North Burying Ground and is designed in the Arts and Crafts style with terracotta roof and stucco walls. Although deteriorated after many years vacant, the Comfort Station is poised to become the Sip & Spoke Bike Kitchen, a coffee shop and bike repair project operated by cycling entrepreneur Noah Hicks. Historic Boston has been designated by the City of Boston to restore and reuse the Comfort Station. With funds raised, construction on this project will begin in the spring of 2018.
The Pierce Building, owned by Dorchester Bay Economic Development Corporation, is one of several multi-story late 19th/early 20th century multi-story commercial buildings concentrated in Upham’s Corner. Named for Samuel B. Pierce, it was built in 1910. Dorchester Bay EDC is planning a conversion of the building from a mixed-used property to a fully-commercial innovation hub in the Upham’s Corner Main Street district which will include retail space for local businesses and an innovation lab and expansion spaces on the upper floors.
The campaign is being coordinated by Upham’s Corner Main Street, an organization devoted to revitalization and management of the traditional business district. Join them for a pep rally on October 7 from 12-3 pm at the Pierce Building to enjoy free food, live music, arts, and more!