OBSERVER Photo The State University of Fredonia has decided to raze the Fenner House and replace it with a park.

It appears the historic Fenner House’s days are numbered in Fredonia.

On Friday afternoon, State University of New York at Fredonia Interim President Dennis Hefner delivered a letter to the State University Construction Fund to begin the process of razing the building on the property at 178 Central Ave.

The decision follows an architect’s study commissioned by Fredonia and the Construction Fund that determined the building is not structurally sound and staff can no longer occupy the structure. Due to the condition of the building, the architect that conducted the study suggested “demolition start immediately to prevent mishap or injury to individuals in or adjacent to the building.”

In its place, the university plans to create a beautiful, natural parklike setting with the majestic beech tree on the property preserved and maintained as its focal point.

“After reviewing the study and touring the building, I have made the decision to go forward with this request,” Hefner said in his letter to the Construction Fund. “The minimum cost associated with bringing this house back to a safe condition is nearly $1.2 million, which is prohibitive for a building that does not adequately support campus needs.”

News of the letter does not sit well with Linda Malcolm, president of the Fredonia Preservation Society. “We had hoped that the state would compromise on this issue,” she wrote. “We had a discussion with a local contractor interested in possibly purchasing it to restore it. We asked if the state would not sell it would they gift it to the Preservation Society. The response was negative.”

Fenner House was most recently used by the SUNY Fredonia Admissions office, but because of a lack of adequate space and structural concerns, the Admissions team was relocated to Maytum Hall in 2018.

The Construction Fund will review Hefner’s letter. Once formal approval is given by the Construction Fund, the demolition project will begin with a bidding process to secure the services of a demolition company.

Once the building is razed, landscaping work can begin on the property. Preliminary plans include a winding walkway to connect Central Avenue to campus, the planting of local shrubs and trees, and the installation of several benches which will have markers describing the history of the location and the Fenner family.

Malcolm was not satisfied. “The Fenner House is listed with the State Historic Record Agency as an historic building but is not listed on the National Historic Register. It is a state-owned building,” she said. “The Fenner House is documented in Dr. Daniel Reiff’s book: Architecture in Fredonia and pictured in the popular, often requested, architecture significant Fredonia homes.

“The lovely sign on Central Avenue as one enters Fredonia says, ‘Welcome to Historic Fredonia’ and soon one will see a lovely historic home being demolished.”