ROCKAND – An artist is proposing to raze a Rockland structure in favor of a Live+Work model of affordable housing.

Sally Levi and Dominic Turgeon, of Badhus LLC, wish to tear down 25 Oak Street in favor of constructing a 4-story structure with housing on the upper levels and a public/commercial space on the ground. Levi is the owner of an interior design firm, and Turgeon once worked in mass production of apartment complexes and now owns a plumbing business.

The two are in collaboration for “25 Oak Lofts” and have submitted application paperwork to the Rockland Planning Board. Their idea is to create two apartments at the rear of the first floor, four apartments on the second floor, and a couple of lofts on the third floor. This housing is for anyone who meets the income requirements, regardless of career type.

The ground floor is proposed as a 700 sq ft community space and storefront.

“This storefront will allow people to sell their products while they go to their day jobs or take their kids to school, or likewise,” said the application. “It also creates a professional lobby for people who will run their business out of their live+work space in the building.”

Badhus, and their architect, Chuck Campbell, will propose their ideas at the July 11, 2023 Rockland Planning Board meeting, which begins at 5:15 p.m., in City Council Chambers.

Located between two other houses, 25 Oak Street was most previously the location for a branch of an educational facility. However, the structure itself was not a good fit. According to the Code Enforcement Office, the building is in much need of renovation.

Though not located in Rockland’s Historic District, 25 Oak Street is listed in the 1904-05 city directory. The head of the household, Edward W. Thurlow, owned Mrs. Thurlow’s Ice Cream. Thurlow also owned 27 Oak Street, next door, and some current residents automatically associate the ice cream shop with the turrets on the roof of 27 Oak Street.

By the time the 1934-35 directory was produced, the Thurlow name was no longer mentioned for that address.

Where once Oak Street had 13 residences, at some point, the street was pared down, leveling the houses that Thurlow’s front windows faced, and becoming the parking lot that is now used by bank employees. The opposite side of the parking lot, Orient Street, which was also a residential street, is remembered for Lewis Benovitch’s hot dog cart.

Cafe Miranda’s, on Oak Street, was a Swedish club, called the Owl Club, in 1929-30.