Construction work on the foundation at The Livery will begin later this fall.
For Immediate Release
November 23, 2020
Historic Livery in Sunapee Harbor awarded structural grant
The Northern Borders Regional Commission (NBRC) has approved the award of a $350,000 grant to the Sunapee Heritage Alliance (SHA) to establish non-profit ownership of the 1892 “7 to Save” historic building known as “The Livery” in Sunapee Harbor, and to complete structural upgrades and roofing work to bring the facility up to current codes. These upgrades will reinforce the structural systems and help SHA achieve its vision to save and repurpose this historic facility to handle a wide array of community uses including performances, exhibits, meetings, social functions, and conferences.
The Sunapee Heritage Alliance, a 501-c-3 non-profit organization was formed 5 years ago to focus on the protection of the cultural and architectural heritage of the Lake Sunapee region. The SHA board of directors has expanded on the work previously started by Sunapee town committees and has been working in partnership with the Sunapee Harbor Riverway (SHRC) by virtue of a long-term lease, to secure the building’s future. The SHRC currently owns the building and is donating it to the Sunapee Heritage Alliance as part of the NBRC Grant.
From Patrick Clapp, President of SHRC:
“SHRC is pleased to donate “The Livery” to the SHA. Since 2015 SHA has successfully demonstrated its able stewardship while expanding the community and area usage of the facility. “The Livery” will be protected, preserved, and will continue to grow and expand its community focused programing. This is in keeping with the SHRC Mission “to preserve and enhance our lakeside village.”
From Barbara Sullivan, President and Chair of SHA:
“Our board is so very grateful to Northern Borders Regional Commission for the opportunity they have given us to make this major investment ensuring a successful repurposing of “The Livery”. This is a fulfillment of the “7 to Save “program of the NH Preservation Alliance, which recognized “The Livery” as an at-risk property in 2008 and through awareness supports the work of non-profits like the Sunapee Heritage Alliance to rescue irreplaceable architecturally historic treasures.”
SHA has selected Milestone Engineering & Construction of Concord, New Hampshire, which has extensive experience with historic projects, to work with the structural engineering firm of Schaal Engineering of Wilder Vermont and the geotechnical engineering firm of M&W Soils Engineering Inc. of Charlestown, New Hampshire. Design work is scheduled to start in December with construction work accomplished this
winter through next spring.
The mission of the Northern Borders Regional Commission is to catalyze regional, collaborative, and transformative community economic development approaches that alleviate economic distress and position the region for economic growth. This grant represents a major investment in the harbor and the resulting expansion of programming and community use will have a direct positive effect on the culture and economy of the surrounding Sullivan County and Greater Upper Valley communities.
Once the structural improvements are completed, SHA will facilitate the visioning and planning sessions necessary to finalize a successful business model that achieves the mission of the organization and contributes to the quality of life, prosperity, and sustainability of Sunapee’s harbor and the entire region.