Vote on Stratford's Historic 'White House' Tonight

The Stratford Town Council tonight is expected to vote on an ordinance that designates the John Benjamin House as a "local historic property."

Also known as the "White House," the Greek Rivival building, circa 1840, sits at the entrance to the Shakespeare Theatre on Elm Street.

"There is an urgent need to protect the value and use of property in said and on historic properties," the ordinance reads.

Supporters of the designation say it will give the building a label that opens it up to more state and federal funding through preservation grants, which can help pay for repairs and renovations.

Proponents say the defunct building can be transformed into a not-for-profit center for the arts, which can display Shakespeare Theatre archives such as those recently at the .

Last November, Town Council members on the designation. Approval of the proposed ordinance on tonight's agenda will make it law.

At the Ordinance Committee's meeting last week, Council Chairman Joseph Kubic (R-9) was the only member to vote against the recommendation to add the mansion to the town's list of historic properties.

The Town Council and the Ordinance Committee share the same membership.

A public forum at 6:45 p.m. precedes tonight's 8 p.m. Council meeting at .

Also on the agenda is a proposed amendment to the town's towing policy on abandoned vehicles and a resolution on the reconstruction of West Broad Street from Linden Ave to California Street.

Get live updates from tonight's meeting by following Stratford Patch on Twitter.