Weston Historical Commission backs Josiah Smith Tavern amid $11 million cost surge

WESTON — March 20, 2018 — Weston Historical Commission votes to support continued Josiah Smith Tavern restoration as costs approach $11 million. Project representative Adrienne told the commission at its March 20 meeting that a 2018 structural analysis, extensive code revisions, and skyrocketing construction costs have pushed estimates from an earlier figure of roughly $4.5 million to a preliminary total approaching $11 million for the 13,000-square-foot building — translating to roughly $846 per square foot. Only $100,000 of a previously approved $630,000 design appropriation has been spent, and an additional $200,000 will be sought at a future town meeting to produce biddable construction documents. The commission also voted unanimously to nominate 104 Boston Post Road as a single-building local historic district, found 230 Merriam Street significant under the Silver Hill Historic District triggering a public hearing scheduled for April 10, and raised a potential compliance violation at 346 Island Street, where members said a demolition-delayed property appears to have been stripped far beyond the scope the commission approved.