2.     REPORT, Committee on Appointments and Briefings, recommending to the City Council APPROVAL, to Grant the Demolition at 23 Robeson Street.

2a.     COMMUNICATION/DEMOLITION, New Bedford Historical Commission, to City Council, re: BUILDING DEMOLITION REVIEW – 23 ROBESON STREET (Map 71/Lot 45) Circa 1903 two-story wood framed residence-partial demolition of east façade bay, the building is a contributing property (NBE.419) within the Acushnet Heights National Register District, this area is characterized by its late 19^th and early 20^th century residences developed on the rise of County Street overlooking the inner harbor; the building is associated with the political and social history of the City, as it was constructed in 1903 by Thomas Desmond, a local leading Attorney and a City Solicitor for several years, the Desmond Family also constructed the abutting properties at 17 and 27 Robeson Street, this house is locally known as the longtime residence of former Senator, Councillor and Mayor George Rogers; the building is architecturally significant as it embodies the distinctive characteristics of the Queen Anne style, the subject building is part of a group of buildings which share identical architectural features including cut shingles, arched openings, swag motifs and full bays with stained glass windows and the property owner has indicated that he will follow the Historical Commission’s recommendations to mitigate the partial demolition of the façade wall; therefore, in light of these findings, the New Bedford Historical Commission has determined that the building at 23 Robeson Street is Historically Significant but the east façade bay is not a Preferably Preserved Historic Structure. (Referred to the Committee on Appointments and Briefings – April 23, 2020.)