(HARWICH) –The Davenport Companies has been named the winning bidder of a Request for Proposals to build new year-round apartment housing units in West Harwich, while simultaneously preserving one of the community’s most historic structures.
The South Yarmouth-based company has an agreement to acquire the First Baptist Church on Route 28 in West Harwich and build 10 to 13 housing units on the property ranging in size from 600 to 800 square feet, while retaining the architectural, historic and cultural significance of the exterior of the building.
When Harwich Town Meeting voters approved the mechanism for the church’s title to be cleared and eventually sold, they also expressed an interest that the location be used for the type of year-round housing that is greatly in demand.
“Our proposed project accomplishes two important goals in which Harwich residents have expressed interest and support. The first is the creation and development of more housing units for the community as it has become increasingly difficult for people to find quality housing,” said The Davenport Companies Vice President/Chief of Staff Jamie Veara.
“Secondly, the proposal would help sustain one of the most important historical structures in Harwich, which is also a gateway point to people entering the town from the west,” said Veara.
This innovative re-use of the historic church will maintain the building’s look and character for generations. The Davenport Companies already owns and maintains more than 100 yearly rental properties in Harwich and understands the character of the community.
Each year-round rental unit will have full kitchens, bathrooms, and related amenities while helping to meet the growing demand for housing for Harwich and Cape Cod
According to the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce, nearly 50% of Cape Cod’s workforce now travels from off-Cape every day. The First Baptist Church project will assist in housing those who want to work and live on Cape Cod.
The first issue the church congregation faced was the ability to show clear title to the property as the deed description from the 1800’s could not amount to 1.62 acres. That posed a problem for the church in guaranteeing a free and clear title to prospective buyers.
The Davenport Companies expressed a desire to acquire it directly from the church, but when the title issue arose, the company began conversations about a public/private partnership that would allow clearing of the title for the property to be purchased.
The following will be the method of transfer for the property: The Town of Harwich will complete a friendly taking of the 1.62 acres. That move solves the title problem, allowing the property to be conveyed with good, clear, and marketable title to The Davenport Companies.
For its efforts, the town will be reimbursed $10,000 for expenses. The church will be paid $300,000 from The Davenport Companies.
This project is viewed as the first linchpin in revitalizing the Route 28 corridor in West Harwich, while simultaneously providing critical housing for Cape Codders. It also allows the church to sell a piece of property that was otherwise hampered by a clouded title.
