CHATHAM – The demolition project at the historic Eldredge Garage and gas station will only knock down the garage portion of the property, leaving the gas station as a relic of the past.
A group of people who helped the Eldredge family clean out the old structure are advocating for the town to purchase the land for public parking.
David Oppenheim, a spokesman for that group, told selectmen last month that all of the underground gas tanks had been removed, and advised them to consider incorporating a lease option into the upcoming special town meeting warrant.
That warrant will ask voters to approve the estimated $2.5 million purchase of the land.
“The front will be preserved and mothballed for potential future use, everyone who spoke was unanimous that should be kept there as a historical remembrance,” Oppenheim said.
According to the one of the Eldredge daughters, the estate’s liabilities and estate taxes are what is causing the family to sell in the first place.
The stable has been with the Eldredge family for over 100 years.
Bennett Environmental is currently conducting testing on the property, looking for possible pollution from the former gas and service station uses.
It’s expected that the results will be ready before residents vote on the proposal.
Chatham special town meeting will take place on January 23rd.
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