AIDAN POLLARD
News Editor
“Dr. Hefner does not care about the history of Fredonia.”
The Leader sat down with Linda Malcom, former Fredonia Central Schools teacher and other community members to address their concerns over the planned demolition of the Fenner House on Central Avenue.
“I’m glad community members have pride in the community,” said Interim President Dr. Dennis Hefner. “I understand that, and having pride in the community is a good thing. But to go around then, making up stories like I don’t care about the community and so forth — that’s not really, I think, operating in a very reasonable fashion.”
Chief among some community members’ concerns is the preservation of the house.
“… We’re here because we want it up,” said Fredonia alumnus Patrick Stokes. “It would be one thing if the house had fallen in on itself and you’re trying to recoup.”
But the plan to tear the house down and build a park-like structure in its place isn’t enough for some members of the community. Even recycling some of the resources into something new and representative of the old house wouldn’t be enough.
[RELATED: A piece of Fredonia’s history is getting ready to come down]
Hefner maintains the position that the house has to fall, and that he does, in fact, care about Fredonia’s history.
“The Fenner house is broken beyond repair,” said Hefner. “And sometimes houses get that way and when you get to that point they need to come down.”
Community members like Mark Twichell have expressed alternative solutions, like selling the house to someone who would be willing to buy it for a low price.
“They have said they’re willing to pay $1. I’ve said, ‘Are they willing to pay $1.1 million?’” said Hefner, referring to the estimated cost of fixing the house as it stands.
“I get blank stares back.”
Even if he wanted to, Hefner wouldn’t be able to sell the house at a low price due to state liability regulation.
“I even tried getting around that and seeing if I could just give it away. Have somebody haul it off, and I couldn’t get that through either,” he said.
Community members have also tried various avenues to block the demolition of the house, like registering it as a historic building.
Organizers have created a Facebook page called “Save the Fenner House” to spread the word about their cause. It’s ‘about’ section says, “Mission; To preserve the Fenner House as a vital element of Fredonia’s cultural and architectural history.”
A post on the page states, “Good news from NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation! As this letter says, NYSOPRHP recognizes the historic importance of the Fenner House and will consult with State University Construction Fund before approving the proposed demolition. It appears that there is time to submit additional evidence of the Fenner House’s importance. A letter is being drafted to NYSOPRHP in response and support of their findings. Fenner House supporters are encouraged to contribute talking points to the draft. The completed response letter will be shown on this page along with an invitation to add signatures of supporters of preservation of the Fenner House.”