PORTSMOUTH, N.H. (September 2, 2020) –Representatives from GoodWork, Chinburg Properties, the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests, JSA Design and Hoefle, Phoenix, Gormley & Roberts, PLLC, met recently at Creek Farm to review renovation progress on Carey Cottage.
According to Eric Chinburg, owner and president of Chinburg Properties, the project’s general contractor, renovations are slated to be complete by late 2020, allowing GoodWork, a nonprofit incubator and several other nonprofit tenants, to move in.
Chinburg Properties has spent the last several months performing a complete renovation of Carey Cottage at Creek Farm, under the terms of a long-term lease with the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests.
“We are well into the renovation of Carey Cottage,” states Eric Chinburg, president of Chinburg Properties. “We are proud to see this historic treasure restored to its former glory, updated for use as an incubator space for GoodWork. It has been very rewarding to see the transformation. This group has brought back an architectural gem to be enjoyed by many, well into the future. The project team has been great to work with and we are very pleased that the space will be ready for occupancy this Fall,” Chinburg said.
Once restored, the building will be the headquarters of a newly established non-profit organization, GoodWork, that will help foster the growth and success of other non-profits. The center will provide the space, tools, and connections that nonprofits need to build strong organizations, thriving local economies, and vibrant communities in the region.
“Chinburg and GoodWork have been ideal partners on this project,” said Jack Savage, president of the Forest Society. “We’re looking forward to when GoodWork and other local non-profits can move in and be part of the neighborhood at Creek Farm. No doubt there will be opportunities for ongoing collaboration.”
“We have been serving idea phase, early-stage and start-up nonprofits virtually for the last six months due to COVID 19 and will continue to do so but are very much looking forward to settling into our new space at Carey Cottage. We will continue to serve our incubator participants with an abundance of caution until it is safe to begin convening in person,” said GoodWork CEO Molly Hodgson.
GoodWork COO, Maria Sillari agrees; “Molly and I feel privileged to be working with early-stage and start-up nonprofits in our community. Carey Cottage will allow us to provide work and meeting space to those we serve, in addition to the coaching, professional development, mentorship, and networking we offer.”
Portsmouth based JSA Design developed the plans to repurpose the building and was on hand at the gathering. “The restoration of Carey Cottage has been an incredibly meaningful project for JSA Design. This historic building is a backbone of Portsmouth. Ensuring this building’s safety, usefulness and durability continue long into the future reinforces our commitment to community heritage and cultural resources. We are so grateful for the opportunity to be a part of this visionary team.”
Dan Hoefle, Trustee of Creek Farm, shared this sentiment as the group convened on the lawn after the tour to celebrate the project, “Chet and Billie Noel had a plan for Creek Farm. For many years, they worked to make sure that the land was protected and open to the public. They were also very concerned that the building would not fall into disrepair. Having just toured Carey Cottage, I know that Chet and Billie are proud of how it has been lovingly restored. They are smiling down on us now.”
ABOUT THE FOREST SOCIETY
The Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests was founded in 1901 to “perpetuate the forests of New Hampshire through their wise use and complete reservation in places of scenic beauty.” The Forest Society owns and manages 190 Forest Reservations totaling 57,000 acres located in more than 100 New Hampshire communities. As a land trust, it holds more than 700 conservation easements protecting an additional 130,000 acres statewide.
ABOUT GOODWORK
The mission of GoodWork is to support, develop, and strengthen Greater Seacoast nonprofits by maximizing their capacity to deliver services, through customized strategic support and affordable live and work space. GoodWork envisions thriving, successful, mission-driven nonprofits contributing to the overall cultural, environmental, economic, and social wellbeing of the community. GoodWork’s customized incubator services are provided at no cost.
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For more information:
Molly Hodgson, CEO, GoodWork www.goodworkseacoast.org molly@goodworkseacoast.org