By Brian Denitzio
News Editor

Plans by the Salvation Army to build a community center in Uphams Corner were nearly derailed Tuesday evening, when the Boston Landmarks Commission voted to impose a 90-day demolition delay on two properties now owned by the Salvation Army that must be cleared prior to the start of work on the community center project. After hearing testimony from the Salvation Army and from members of the community, the commission voted to waive the demolition delay, with two conditions. The commission asked that no demolition take place until the proper permitting is in place; and that the new community center have a space that chronicles the history of the neighborhood.

The two properties in question were homes located at 99 and 101 Clifton Streets. According to testimony, both homes were constructed sometime prior to 1874 and are in stable condition.

The commission's first vote was limited to the question of whether or not the properties in question qualify as significant examples of architecture of their particular style, and whether it would be in the public's interest for the buildings to be preserved or rehabbed rather than demolished.

Prior to the commission's vote regarding the imposition of the demolition delay, residents of the Uphams Corner-Dudley area expressed opposition to a demolition delay.

"We are strongly opposed to demolition delay given the type of improvement we've been advocating for and now it's at our doorstep," said John Barros, executive director of the Dudley Street Neighborhood Initiative.

Julio Henriquez, chair of the Dudley Neighbors Incorporated said that the style of the two buildings at 99 and 101 Clifton Street are not unique, adding that they are replicated a "good number of times" on surrounding streets.

The commission however voted unanimously to impose the demolition delay.

The hearing then moved into the second phase, which included consideration of the future use of the site, as well as possible avenues for mitigation and preservation of the buildings. One scenario considered was whether the buildings could be moved to other vacant lots in the area. Barros and Henriquez both stated that given the strong commitment to providing affordable housing on vacant lots in the neighborhood, moving the two homes would not be practical.

After hearing testimony about the project, members of the commission began discussion of whether to waive the demolition delay instituted an hour or so earlier.

"I really think that the mitigation of these two buildings is the new building," said Commissioner Jeffry Pond.

The commission then voted in favor of waiving the demolition delay and allowing the Salvation Army project to move forward.