What is the development? We do not need any more apartment complexes in town. I think everyone would agree we have more then enough.

Shameful that we as a society don't value places like this enough. Money is more important to some people and these two individuals involved think they rule the world. When is it enough guys? A piece of history is gone forever, Karma is a b^itch.

As if we need another subdivision either. We just keep plowing down history. Any other historic buildings in this town need to get put on a register NOW. Not when someone actually files to tear them down.

I am pretty sure Mark Ginsburg has done more for this town in any given month than you have done in your lifetime. I don't have anything good to say about Sullivan, but Mark has made many improvements in this town and is extremely charitable.

Interesting how Sullivan gets a hold put on it when he wanted to develop it, and Ginsburg gets it removed less than a week after buying the property for less than Sullivan paid... Makes you want to go hmmmm...

A sad day indeed, I remember as a child riding my bicycle up there from Pinewood Rd. and thinking WOW we have a castle in our town and how special that was. I'm really sad to see it go :(

RIP Ames castle

I have nothing against Mr. Ginsburg, but I'm so sick of losing so much town history. I haven't looked at Patten's book in about 15 years. Not sure I want to. So much more is gone that was in there.

It was for sale. If you really wanted to preserve the historic building you could have bought it and done whatever you pleased.

A lot of people put a lot of work into trying to save Ames Castle. The Tewksbury Historical Society, the town's Historical Commission, and others, all worked together to attempt to find a solution that led to preservation, alas it was too late. People are correct to state that Tewksbury has been very slow in getting our historical structures into registries and in that lies the lesson to be learned. Not all games can be won in the 4th quarter. Mr. Ginsburg went into this deal with the ideal of preserving the Castle but the level of disrepair and the ensuing logistical nightmares were too much. Aspects and elements of the Castle have been preserved by Mr. Ginsburg for use in other properties he owns. It is a sad day for Tewksbury but let it be a didactic one. And for all of those interested in the cause of historic preservation, I say get involved before the crisis, commenting afterwards is not enough.

I agree with an earlier post as it being a sad day. We just do not seem to have enough historical buildings in town. Like the writer before me I remember riding up there on my bike. It seemed like you could see forever. I feel the same way about the Pike House. Where is our history?

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John Smith - kind of like what he did with the historic building he completely restored and put in a book store (the Hardy-Pike house, I believe)? If the people don't support the local business put in place to keep the historic building, that doesn't leave the business owner much choice does it? And I don't think three single family homes is too much for 3.5/4 acres of land.

All Ginsburg is is just a greedy bastard who wants more and more money and does not care about the town

I AGREE W/Amy, John Smith, Melissa, Bob, Bill Derazzio, Mike, SD from Tewksbury, Kathleen Brothers, Jason Stamp.

That's 3 pieces of history gone: Tew-Mac Airport, Hardy-Pike House, Ames Castle. Haven't checked into it, but driving by, looks like the old go-kart race track is a Ginsburg project, too.

I really don't want to hear how much Ginsburg has done for this town and his generosity--which, by the way, "Comment" never backs up w/specifics. The guy is a shrewd business man, apparently, and you'd have a hard time convincing me that he didn't "get" plenty for everything he "gives"; he's a deal-maker, and he wins.

A Town which lets its history go to a Developer is a shameful state of affairs. And, this was so predictable. Who didn't know this would be the inevitable outcome. As far as Sullivans go, they have their "reputation", and what "decent" Developer would team up w/that? One hand washes the other.

By the way, I've seen bookstores, and that was no bookstore! Even if it were, historically, Tewksbury has never been able to sustain a bookstore, just like it was unable to sustain the nice restaurant when the same building was The Pike House. There was a bookstore decades ago in the old Osco plaza, and then MaryAnne's in the Forrest Terrace building. Neither survived.

It seems Marc Ginsburg fell into a real good thing when he teamed up w/Tewksbury. Personally, I'm sick of his half-million-dollar 'copter flying over my house. No more development

That greedy slimeball should be donating his money to charity not more developments we don't need anymore!

I'm sorry Janellen, if you were involved in any of the many non-profits in town, not to mention, run a fundraiser of your own, you would know how much he and his family provide - without looking for credit for doing so. If you are so irritated by his helicopter (he is NOT the only person in town who owns one, by the way), you should be GLAD he got rid of the AIRPORT that was there prior to him putting in the golf course. And, lastly, you are wrong, about who invested in the property for MVP (the old go-kart location - which was also in dire need of a developer). I wish Ginsburg would buy Funland and clean up that nasty eyesore.

At least the guy made an attempt at saving the Hardy Pike house by putting a new/different, not a dollar store, into it. Too bad it didn't work, but he can't say he didn't try. As for the castle, if it were worth keeping, someone would have. I will go out on a limb and guess that if it was properly maintained by it's previous owner, maybe it would have been worth saving, but I can guess he let it get too far gone.

Maybe it should have been left to fall apart like all the old houses on the state hospital land.

I understand the historical significance, but if the town wanted it saved, I'm sure it could have used CPA funds to buy it.

Bill I agree that Ozzie is going overboard. I do however feel his frustration and feel that greed is in play here. Why else would someone want to destroy such a treasure to build a few houses? We are lost as a society and losing this structure is just more proof of that. A responsible developer who really cared about this town wouldn't touch that castle. All we have to set us apart from other communities is disappearing and it sucks when local people contribute to that. I couldn't sleep at night after doing that to a building built by a civil war hero. Unbelievable!

How does one know whether we need another apartment complex in town or not?

How does one find out how much money Mr. Ginsberg gives to charity?

If this building was draining money out of the owners, why shouldn't they make a change like this?

If the structure was "Historical" can someone please explain to me why CPA funds were not used to purchase the property?
We are using CPA funds to build tennis courts and other BS but can never find the money to actually preserve something.

Mr Ginsberg is a business man and builder.....psstt.....
Do you know what builders do?
They build things..I know...I'm shocked too.
The Town passed on buying the property so Mr. Ginsberg bought it. It was his to do with it as he felt like.
Personally, I thought the building was butt azz ugly anyway.

I am shocked that people on this website would talk so much about the recent demolition of the Ames Castle. Let's not forget who let the building get to its deploreable condition it was in, that was Mr. Sullivan who was battling the town for years and no conclusion. How about the town for letting a piece of history to get so bad that it had to be torn down. Very similiar to the old buildings on Livingston Street that were torn down after being let go and had to be demolished. People should be thankful that someone bought the property, ask the neighbors there opinion on whether they agree and I believe there happy about. We should be thankful and most of the talk here is way out of line its an old building and its time has come.

Everyone is entitled to their opinions. Personally I am done with this issue, the Castle is history, literally, and in my opinion it is a shame. Rambling on won't change anything but in my eyes two local men together along with the town, destroyed something special and they will be remembered for that by many people.

I believe I read on this very website not that long ago, Ginsberg sold the Pike House to IRA and the fate of the building once the Town is done using it is still unknown. Bill can you verify and elaborate on that? I understand Ginsberg has done a lot to improve Tewksbury,I will give him that however no one can say he didnt benefit from that as well, he does it because at the end of the day, he is a business man. Shame on the town for not saving the castle if they had the opportunity to do so. I do not blame Ginsberg for leveling the building if it was is such disrepair, I just do not wish to see ANOTHER apartment complex or huge subdivision get added to the town. Our schools are already overcrowded, our roads in horrible disrepair and combine another complex with the 267 unit assisted living facility proposed from Main Street and it will drain on the towns resources too much.

Ames Castle was beautiful in its time, but was in such an awful state that there was reallly no other choice but to tear it down. Neighbors were complaining. I don't think they considered it a "treasure". The attacks on Marc Ginsburg amaze me. He has done so much for this town. Recently the schools held an auction to raise money for technology in the schools. Marc Ginsburg donated the use of the Country Club, food and raffles for this event. It raised over $30,000 for the schools. Also when the bookstore closed Marc and his wife donated the books to the schools. As of next year, Mr. Ginsburg will have no children in our schools, so I'd say he's made great contributions to Tewksbury. Is that specific enough for you Janellen? Also Jason Stamp and Scuturo, I don't call this the work of a "scumbag" and a "bastard". By the way, what have you two done for Tewksbury lately.

Where has everyone on here who is complaining about the castle being torn down been for the last 20+ years?? Sullivan owned that property and was allowed, by the town, to run it as a rooming house with multiple tenets moving in and out over the years. He and the town are responsible for the destruction of the castle. It has not been taken care of in years. Whoever bought that castle would have had to tear it down because of the disrepair the building was in. Marc purchased it and is going to remove some pieces that will be preserved in a building in town. Stop making Marc the bad guy here. If anyone really cared about the castle something would have been done to preserve it a long time ago.

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I sat here for a long while, reading the comments on this post and contemplating the right way to word my response. But really, there is no "right" way to respond to it. Some of the comments on here appalled me. It's astonishing how some people in this town can hide behind an online name and so shamelessly shit on someone who has and will continue to do so much for this town. If you truly cared about the Castle and its well being then you should have looked into it before now. Sitting here complaining about it now will not bring the building back.
Obviously you do not care about this town if the only thing you do for it is provide negativity in the form of online comments. Get out there, be proactive, do something. If you don't agree with the demolishing of the building then that's fine, everyone deserves to have their own opinion, but not at the expense of others. The crude language and assumptions made in some of these comments paralleled that of a catty group of high school students having a fight.

I couldn't agree more Quiet Observer.

1

Why didn't Sullivan tear it down and build a sub division?

It is just very astounding that a group of supposed adults will sit here on their computers and completely bash a man that most of you don't even know. No matter what your opinion of him is, he is still a person who deserves respect and a fair chance. In fact, he is a good person. I have never known the Ginsburg family to do anything out of greed or to diminish the happiness of others. Yes, they have money. Is that a crime? The fact that Mr. Ginsburg has done well for himself is not something to hold against him. The assumptions you are making are juvenile and unfair. If you loved this castle, I'm sorry. However, it was not going to be around forever. Things change. Change isn't always a bad thing either. Quiet Observer is right though. If the Castle was something near and dear to your heart, then it would've been wise to look into keeping it the way it was before there was a plan to demolish it.
I'm sorry if this offends you, but I am just asking...please think about what you are saying before you post rude and offensive remarks about a man and a family who you do not know. Don't assume anything about anyone just because you've "heard" rumors.

I agree that nasty personal attacks diminish this topic, but people do admire some things in town and will be disappointed and passionate when they are demolished. Some people, myself included are saddened when a historical structure is gone from our town and in it's place goes your typical residential dwellings. I do blame the town and historical society for not making this issue more public. Had the Castle become for sale in a legitimate way someone may have bought it, but we will never know because the insiders who capitalize on these situations jumped on it. I understand many people admire the Ginsburgs for community reasons, but others can see THIS situation how we want to and believe it to be.

i

http://www.tewksburyissues.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=65&t=10489&p=87614#p87614

We live in a State where certain people created the Affordable Housing Law (40B). We live in a State where voters decided to keep this law in place despite the abuses of the law and the threats of high density developments. Sullivan was certainly one person who used 40B to his advantage whether in actually building it or threatening with it. 40B was also used as a threat during the Mills Mall debacle. Remember the pamphlet that went around before the Town Vote of the Mills Mall? "40B or a beautiful destination mall". Remember the photos of the dense housing development on that pamphlet? Almost everyone voted for the mall.

When people in this State continue to vote a particular way, they will always get what they vote for.

It was the threat of 40B by Sullivan that kept the town at bay all these years on Ames Hill. Don't blame the developers for using the laws to their advantage, blame yourselves for continuing to support it and that mentality. Be grateful that Ginsberg isn't building a 40B up there.

Had it not been for 40B we would probably still have Ames Castle.

How come no one is mad at the previous owners of all these run down properties and buisnesses? Places like Funland, Grand Prix, Tew Mac, etc were all run into the ground, not maintained and that is why the buisnesses eventually failed and no longer made a profit. Why isn't anyone blaming Ame's family for being "greedy" and selling the castle to a nursing home in the 50's and not "giving it" to the town or state to keep it a historic building? Why didnt the nursing home "give it" to the town instead of selling it to the Sullivans? Now, just like those previous places I mentioned, the building is run down and in disrepair. Instead of holding the people accountable WHO LET IT GET LIKE THAT. People come on here under fake names and bash a guy who is a hard worker and unselfishly does alot for the communty.

Kudos to Mr Ginsburg, it was his to do what he wishes. Business is business and his is making money. Now, as for Tewksbury, we are slowly, but steadily turning this Town into a City. Soon there will be no more open space, no more acre lots. There are developments going up all over town. The streets are all torn up again, talk of building new schools, still paying off big debts. Lots and lots of 'for sale' signs all over. I dont like what is happening, but its my own fault for not paying attention and doing my research before signing on the line......I'll bet this was a nice little town not long ago. Soon though, it will be tough to afford to stay.

Are people serious when they talk about missing the airport? The airport was an eyesore, now we have a beautiful Country Club. I enjoy history but I also know we cannot let it stand in the way of progress. I'm sure those who lived close to the castle will be glad when the development goes, which in all liklihood will raise their property values. I think the Ginsberg's have done a great deal for this town and although I'm not a fan of the East St./Dascomb Rd. development, it's hard to argue they have not made this town a better place. Janellen, you must be one bitter and miserable human. Virtually everything you write on this page is a complaint of some sort. Go get on meds or something and stop polluting the website with your negativity.

Blame game - I couldn't agree with you more (even though you have a fake name.). ;-)

Why is it a fake name?

I grew up in Tewksbury, but have moved to ME, however, I like to be up on happenings in town.

Wow Joe Bill.....you seem to be a very sad individual. The airport an eyesore. That airport was around probably well before you......Yes I agree Mark has done a great job w/ the country club but really...Sorry but this was my families business....what have you contributed to the community...did you grow up in Tewksbury if you did you would remember sitting and having an ice cream watching the planes come and go.....remember the good ole days......people like you are what is destroying Tewksbury........I have since moved out of that town because of all the "building up" and the loss of the small town homey feel......Saddens me everytime I drive thru.....

Having heard all the talk about the "Castle" being torn down I had to read the posts in the Patch and quite frankly am appalled at the comments about Marc Ginsburg. I have known Marc for almost 25 years and consider him a very good friend and have known him to be an outstanding citizen, father, friend, and very generous and has done more for this town than many others could even think of doing. I can't sit here and read the statements being thrown out about him. I am signing this with my real name not hiding behind a computer with an alias or fake name content on throwing around opinions and not the truth.
I was recently inside the Castle prior to demoltion and saw first hand the place was a great building in its day but left in a condition that was not feasible to be restored.
A dam shame it came to that but things happen and shame on the town and Mr. Sullivan for letting it happen but its a done deal.
In closing all the negativity, vulgar language, business opinions of Mr Ginsburg and everything else should be kept in check. Marc is a business man and has improved this town in so many ways. Lets not forget that he has family and kids that live in this town and I as a friend dont appreciate some of you who are business competitors and jealous of what he has accomplished. Comments that are detrimental and hurtful towards his family is not appropriate and not very tasteful.
I hope you can look beyond this one distraction in our lives and have a great holiday season

I think that the Tewksbury Country Club is a wonderful addition to Tewksbury and the Hardy-Pike House is absolutely beautiful. Take a moment to think about what might be in their place if somebody like Marc Ginsburg hadn't come along and put so much into those projects. I don't know Marc well but I know that I have never heard a bad thing about him and think that he takes a lot of pride in his work and his town and if the "Castle" could have been saved in some way he would have.

It is an absolute shame that this whole castle business has turned into a personal attack on Mr. Ginsburg. I hope that all of you that feel so strongly about preserving the historical sights around town now have seats on the historical committee and are doing all you can to raise funds to rehab these places so in the future you have less to complain about :)

Does Tewksbury Country Club still let the JV Golf Team use the course? Did Marc fly Santa into the Country Club again for the kids? How'd the Town get have the Stanley Cup for the Day? Did TCC employees help build the 9-11 memorial??

I love all these people who care soooo much about Ames Castle after the fact. The story isn't "evil developer destroys historic home".

The story is incompetent town government interfered in the private matters of a landlord (Sullivan) by telling him he couldn't continue to rent apartments out. This left him with no choice but to either demolish it himself and rebuild or to sell it to someone else who would tear it down.

Part of that is that it is too big to be used as a single dwelling (for most people) and the folks who can fill a place like that wouldn't want to live there given the condition it was in.

So the town sealed it's fate. If they had left well enough alone it would still be there more than likely. The historic society types, where were they? There were no fundraisers I heard of to get the historic society the money to buy it when Sullivan put it on the market or even to fix up the place and restore it.

Sadly, this is so very typical of Tewksbury.

Are you kidding me? You obviously don't know Sullivan. He could have put it on the open market but instead he chose to secretly sell the property for a ridiculously low price knowing that Ginsburg would bulldoze it over. He did this out of spite. If he couldn't have his way he made sure the Castle was gone. Christian Noel you are misinformed, it was not put on the market.