Demolition Begins On BCT’s Newest Project

BREWSTER – By this summer, the Brewster Conservation Trust is hopeful residents will have a new sight to behold at 2342 Main St. 

Demolition began earlier this month on two vacant buildings that have been blocking the view of a “lush landscape that includes a freshwater pond, a wet meadow, wooded upland, and broad expanse of wildlife habitat,” according to a BCT press release. 

The project, which was originally unveiled in August at the BCT annual meeting, is called the Backus Overlook. 

The 0.44-acre parcel was donated by Steve and Kate Backus for conservation purposes, with the understanding that the buildings on the property would be removed to restore the land. Amy Henderson, BCT executive director, said the land was donated in October 2021, so the project has been four years in the making. 

The parcel of land, located just off Route 6A, once housed an old schoolhouse and was the former site of the Brewster E-Spa. Demolition of the structures will result in salvageable lumber that will be repurposed. 

“We are taking the timbers that were salvageable from the roof and we will be repurposing those,” said Henderson. “Some of them will be repurposed on site by BCT, and then the rest we’re going to give to the Brewster Historical Society for them to repurpose.” 

The structures themselves were deemed too dilapidated to restore. 

The idea behind the overlook grew out of the characteristics of the property. Henderson said an overlook made sense given the natural features and grade of the property. 

The two structures are at street level and currently block the view of a man-made pond. BCT will rewild the area to preserve ecological and environmental characteristics. They will use native plantings and continue to steward the land to control invasives, promote biodiversity and improve sources of food and habitat for pollinators. 

“Once the buildings are removed, a cleverly designed viewing platform will be built for people to enjoy the view, yet travelers on [Route 6A] will see only the open landscape,” the press release reads. “With close proximity to commercial areas and bicycle and pedestrian access points, the new Backus Overlook will offer the public an accessible encounter with nature just steps away from Main Street.”

In addition to the Backuses, there has been tremendous community support, including from civil engineer John O’Reilly and Wilkinson Ecological Design, who helped come up with the plan, Henderson said. 

There have also been a number of donors who contributed to the project in its early stages. 

The final design includes accessibility features such as a stairless design, handicap parking, a bike rack and a hydration station. 

The BCT expects the project to be completed by the summer.