Local real estate broker Richard Rosen bought the church for $200,000 late last year. “I didn’t want to buy it when I was first approached by a broker representing the American Baptist Churches of Massachusetts, but they made it worth my while,’’ Rosen said. Its current value, according to the town assessor’s office, is about $300,000.
Initially Rosen tried to sell the property. “Two churches were very interested, but that wasn’t meant to be,’’ he said. “I said something needs to happen to this building, and the best use other than a church is housing.’’
Rosen filed a plan for 15 one-bedroom apartments in the three-story building. The zoning board will begin consideration of the proposal early next month.
The apartments would be market rate, and Rosen expects them to rent for $900 to $1,000 monthly. The 12,000-square-foot building would not be expanded, but the interior would need to be altered - adding a floor over the sanctuary, for example, to accommodate five apartments on each level.
Since the church is in a recently established downtown mixed-use development district, Rosen must secure a variance to put housing on the first floor; regulations limit the street level to commercial operations. He must also gain site plan approval. Rosen hopes renovation will begin by early spring and be completed within six months.
Building Inspector Robert Curran predicts parking, at a premium in downtown Whitman, will be the biggest concern. “There’s no parking on-site, so he’ll need allocated parking within 600 feet of his property,’’ Curran said.
While Rosen has nailed down leases on the required 15 parking spaces, getting tenants to use those rather than other more convenient spots could be a challenge.
“Right next door to the building is the town’s parking lot,’’ Curran said. “Employees park there and that leaves the downtown parking spaces open for business customers.’’
June O’Leary, vice chairwoman of the Whitman Historical Commission, said she was optimistic the project will preserve the historic church, but agreed downtown parking is a major obstacle.
