Participants sit in groups brainstorming future uses of town buildings at a charrette held in the old library on Jan. 30. (Photos by Lisa Aciukewicz)

What will Harvard’s town center look like in 50 or 100 years? More than 70 residents packed a meeting room in the old library on a freezing Saturday morning to offer their ideas at a town charrette. If their vision is achieved, the center will be a bustling place, with better spaces for senior activities, musical and dramatic performances, a bookstore or other new shops, art classes and exhibits, and reconfigured town offices.

Organized by the Municipal Buildings Task Force, the Jan. 30 charrette focused on three landmark buildings in the center—the old library, Town Hall, and Hildreth House. But discussion ranged to include the possible reuse of St. Theresa’s Church and the Bromfield House, which now houses school administrative offices. Task force Chairman Ron Ostberg described the current condition of the historical town buildings as underutilized and in need of costly, long-deferred maintenance.

Meeting participants broke into five working groups to generate ideas. Task force member Doug Coots urged the group he coordinated to “look for a natural fit” for the spaces under consideration. He reminded them to plan for the long term, with “hundred-year thinking.”

Rick Maiore (left) and Lucy Wallace present their group’s findings during the municipal building charrette held in the old library on Jan. 30.

Later, each group took a chilly walk up the hill to tour Hildreth House and Town Hall. First-time visitors to Hildreth House exclaimed over the elegant wood paneling, the many fireplaces, and the archaic kitchen sink. Some participants were surprised to learn of the abandoned stage on the upper floor of Town Hall, with its finely detailed proscenium.

Reassembled at the old library and warmed by Chef Paul’s chicken-vegetable soup, the groups presented their ideas for the best use of these buildings, as well as alternative ways to fill the needs of groups that are currently using them. Although each group reported separately, the results showed a surprising unanimity.

All groups agreed that the Hildreth House is far from ideal as a senior center. Most felt that the special building requirements for seniors, such as elevators and ramps, would be most efficiently served by a different facility, new construction, or acquisition of another building. At least one group discussed the desirability of creating a community center to provide activities for all ages, either at the old library, Town Hall, or elsewhere. Everyone agreed that the town center should have more sidewalks connecting the buildings.

For the most part, participants agreed that the old library building is well suited for use as an arts center, with space for exhibits, classes, and meetings. Many expressed the hope that the building could also house additional activities—perhaps a teen center on the lower level, a bookstore, or a business center where local entrepreneurs could share facilities and exchange ideas.

Most participants wanted to keep town offices in the current Town Hall, and there was general agreement that the upstairs stage should be revived as a performance space for concerts, plays, and other events. Almost everyone supported building an extension to Town Hall on the side toward the old ambulance garage to accommodate offices that would be moved out of the upper Town Hall. Economic Development Analysis Team member Rick Maiore opined that restoring the Town Hall “is the single most important thing” in keeping a vital town center and “would drive the whole thing.”

High on every group’s list of wants was a restaurant or pub where townspeople could gather. As Ostberg joked, “This town really wants a place to drink.” Several groups expressed the hope that Hildreth House could be adapted as a restaurant, using its gracious interior spaces year round and featuring outdoor dining on the large porches in warm weather. Groups were split as to whether the building should be sold or leased to a new occupant, but all hoped that it could be protected as an historic structure. Participants agreed that Hildreth House presented the most difficulties for reuse as a municipal building.

A second charrette is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 27, to discuss the feasibility, financing, and sequence of projects. Although people often referred to the cost factors involved in this range of projects, the focus of the first meeting was on setting long-term goals. Task force member Pat Jennings said, “We had wonderful input. We’ll spend the next three weeks trying to pull things together for a good next step.”

Among the many other creative ideas for use of space in the town center buildings were an exercise center, a nature center, and perhaps a bike store to cater to the many cycling groups that pass through Harvard.