Termite damage cause
of old house demolition
PHILIPSBURG--The old Front Street Creole style house used by Tendal Real Estate was not salvageable because of severe termite and water damage leaving no alternative, but for a permit to be given to tear it down, Island Archaeologist Dr. Jay Haviser told The Daily Herald Wednesday.
The demolition of the house, belonging to Island Councilman Leroy de Weever early Wednesday morning raised quite some eyebrows in the community especially among conservationists who were quick to question on what grounds permission had been given.
“It was really in a bad shape. I looked at it from all angles; this was difficult, but it was quite bad so there was no other way but to have it taken down,” Haviser said. To make up for the loss, the building permit for the new development stipulates that only a new building with Caribbean architecture would be allowed. “This was one of my recommendations.”
The building with a distinct Caribbean flare next to the property that is occupied by the Furla store was also erected by De Weever. Considering this past project, Haviser said it can be expected that a simple building will be erected.
The house, circa 1900-1920, was on the island’s proposed list of monuments that is yet to be approved. Learning of the demolition, fervent activist for the preservation of old buildings and other historical sites, Elsje Bosch, who is also director of St. Maarten Museum, said, “I am extremely sad and depressed.” She has led several efforts over the years to safeguard old sites and structures.
Meanwhile, St. Maarten Pride Foundation said in a press statement last evening that De Weever should have informed the Heritage and Monument foundations about any work he was planning to carry-out on the old house. The group added that Emilio Wilson Cultural and Historical Park Foundation should have also been approached to see if it was possible to move the house there as was done with other old Creole houses.
