20 Washington Square Demolition Delay

Context

Building Demolition Delay Waiver BDDW-26-13 sought by Stephen Madaus for Washington Square Exchange LLC to demolish 20A Washington Square, the three-story building attached to 20 Washington Square, to bring light into renovations at No. 20; the owners have no finalized use. The building is not on a national or state register or in a local historic district but was in the 1977 citywide survey. Patrick Maloney of Preservation Worcester called it the Cooney block (built 1883 for saloon keeper James Cooney) and one of the few remaining buildings in the neighborhood alongside Mission Chapel; architectural historian Susan Ceccacci and Jonathan Ostrow also urged preservation, Ostrow questioning the strength of the demolition delay ordinance. Madaus noted the delay is 12 months. Erika Helnarski and others said the neighborhood lost most of its historic buildings to urban renewal.

Status

The Commission voted 0-5 on 2026-07-23 that the demolition would not be detrimental, so the waiver was denied and the 12-month delay applies. Helnarski asked whether a local historic district study for the block was possible. On 2026-08-20 Michelle H. Johnstone said the owner's counsel and Maloney had met, were keeping options open and had no plans; the discussion was continued to the 2026-10-29 meeting. (The minutes' motion text says '20 Washington Square' but the discussion concerns 20A.)

Log

• 2026-08-20 - Historical Commission - Status item: owner's counsel and Maloney met, no current plans, talks continue; continued to Oct 29.
• 2026-07-23 - Historical Commission - Waiver denied 0-5 after public comment from Maloney, Ceccacci, Randy Feldman and Ostrow; chair floated a local historic district study.