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LITTLE ROCK HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
MINUTES
Monday, November 10, 2014, 5:00 p.m.
Board Room, City Hall
I. Roll Call
Quorum was present being seven (7) in number.
Members Present: Toni Johnson
BJ Bowen
Mark Brown
Kwadjo Boaitey
Page Wilson
Jennifer Carman
Jeremiah Russell
Members Absent: none
City Attorney: Debra Weldon
Staff Present: Brian Minyard
Citizens Present: Ralph Wilcox
II. Approval of Minutes
Commissioner Page Wilson did not have any corrections, but made comments on the item from
last month concerning the applicant’s comments about fencing and the homeless. He continued
about it was incumbent on the commission to think about how to improve the area – the health
of the park and the historic district. Chair Johnson asked Commissioner Wilson what you think.
Commissioner Wilson has no problem with fences but to see in the Staff report that the
motivation for the fence was to keep homeless people off the property bothers him.
A motion was made by Commissioner BJ Bowen to approve the minutes of October 13, 2014 as
submitted. Commissioner Jennifer Carman seconded and the minutes were approved with a
vote of 7 ayes and 0 open position.
III. Deferred Certificates of Appropriateness
None
IV. Certificates of Appropriateness
None
DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT
723 West Markham Street
Little Rock, Arkansas 72201-1334
Phone: (501) 371-4790 Fax: (501) 399-3435
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DATE: November 10, 2014
APPLICANT: Ralph Wilcox, Arkansas Historic Preservation Program
ADDRESS: 700 West Capitol
REQUEST: Nomination to National Register
PROJECT BACKGROUND AND DESCRIPTION:
The subject property is located at 700 West Capitol. The property’s legal description is “Lots 1-
12, Block 179 Original City of Little Rock, Pulaski County, Arkansas."
The Arkansas Historic Preservation
Programs has set forth the “Arkansas
Certified Local Government Procedures.”
In it, sections are titled: “Introduction”,
“Eligibility for participation in the Certified
Local Government Program”, “Process
for Certification of Local Governments”,
“Process for monitoring Certified local
Governments,” “Certified Local
Governments Participation in the National
Register Nomination Process”, and
“Transfer of funds to Certified Local
Governments.”
In Section II Eligibility for Participation in
the Certified Local Government Program
subsection C Local Historic Preservation
Program, II C. 2. f) states that one of the
Duties of local preservation commissions
shall include:
“Reviewing all proposed National
Registration nominations for
properties within the boundaries
of the CLG’s jurisdiction. When a
commission reviews a nomination
DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT
723 West Markham Street
Little Rock, Arkansas 72201-1334
Phone: (501) 371-4790 Fax: (501) 399-3435
STAFF REPORT
ITEM NO. III.
Location of Little Rock Federal Building
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or other action that will impact properties which are normally evaluated by a
professional in a specific discipline, at that discipline is not represented on the
commission, the commission must seek expertise in that discipline before
rendering its decision.”
In Section V Certified Local Government participation in the national register nomination
process, sub section B CLG involvement in the National Register Process, the procedures state:
A. CLGs shall submit a report (available for public inspection) to the AHPP
regarding the eligibility of each property or district within its jurisdiction proposed
for nomination to the National Register.
I. The report shall include recommendations of the local preservation commission
and the chief elected official.
2. The report should concentrate on the property's eligibility under the National
Register criteria.
3. Failure to submit reports on the eligibility of properties nominated within the
jurisdiction of the CLG after the AHPP has informed the CLG of a pending
nomination will be considered during the periodic performance evaluation.
B. CLG involvement in the National Register process
I. Within 60 calendar days of receipt of the nomination, the CLG shall inform the
AHPP by submission of a report (see section V-A) as to its opinion regarding the
eligibility of the property. The CLG shall also inform the property owner(s) using
National Register criteria for evaluation, as to its opinion regarding the eligibility
of the property.
2. In the event a nomination is received by the AHPP before submission to the
CLG, the AHPP will forward a copy of the completed nomination to the CLG
within 30 calendar days of receipt.
3. If both the commission and chief elected official recommend that a property
not be nominated because it does not meet the National Register criteria for
eligibility, the CLG will so inform the property owner(s) and the State Historic.
Preservation Officer, the property will then not be nominated unless an appeal is
filed with the SHPO in accordance with appeal procedures outlined in 36 CFR
60. Appeals must be received by the SHPO within 30 calendar days of the date
the property owner receives notification by certified mail that the property has
been determined ineligible for nomination by both the CLG and the Chief elected
official. This is in accordance with Section 101[c) 2 of the NHPA.
4. If the commission or the chief elected official of the CLG recommend that a
property should be nominated, the nomination will be scheduled for submission
to the Arkansas State Review Board. Scheduling will be in accordance with
notification time constraints as set forth in 36 CFR Part 60.
5. The Arkansas State Review Board, after considering all opinions, including
those of the commission and the chief elected official of the CLG, shall make its
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recommendation to the State Historic Preservation Officer. Either the local
preservation commission or the chief elected official may appeal the SHPOs final
decision.
6. When a National Register nomination, that has been reviewed by a
commission, is submitted to the National Park Service for review and listing, all
reports or comments from the local officials will be submitted along with the
nomination.
7. The AHPP and the CLG will work together to provide ample opportunity for
public participation in the nomination of properties to the National register. All
reports submitted by the CLG to the AHPP regarding the eligibility of properties
shall include assurances of public input. The CLG shall retain a list of all persons
contacted during the evaluation period and note comments that were received. If
a public meeting was held, a list of those attending shall be included in the report.
PROPOSAL: The Commission will review the Nomination to National Register. The following
paragraph is from the Nomination under Narrative Description.
“The Little Rock Federal Building is an example of an early 1960s high-rise
building of Modem design. The great variety of industrial materials and
technologies available in the 1950s and 1960s, such as modern curtain wall
construction, allowed for office buildings' design to be a repetitive package of
windows and spandrels. As commercial buildings were built of metal skeletons
sheathed with glass and other types of panels, Federal buildings, like Little Rock,
followed suit. In other words, there was a growing tendency of Federal
government office buildings to look like their commercial counterparts and the
Little Rock Federal Building was no different. All four sides of the seven-story
(plus basement) Little Rock Federal Building share a uniform exterior grid of
spandrel and plate glass framed by rows of aluminum bands and columns of
white stone. All windows or doors in the grid are aluminum framed. A simple
stone cornice caps the flat roofed building. The HVAC equipment, which is
screened by a lattice fence, is located on the building's roof. A white stone
colonnade, with spandrel and plate glass, forms the base. Entries have
commercial store front door systems. The main entry on the south facade is
defined by four, symmetrically placed, gold-colored anodized aluminum grills.
Two of the grilles, which are located on either side of the doors, feature
government seals and aluminum lettering. A loading dock with a garage door is
located on the north (rear) facade. Parking is also located to the north of the
building.”
Under the Integrity section, the nomination states:
“The Little Rock Federal Building remains a good example of an early 1960s
designed high-rise Federal office building. Despite alterations to the building's
interior, the building retains sufficient integrity to convey important aspects of its
original design and period of construction. The exterior is generally as built
except for some minor alterations to the store front entry systems on each
elevation.
“In the interior, General Service Administration records indicate that modifications
in the circulation or public spaces have included handicapped accessibility
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improvements, the replacement of some light fixtures, and the alteration of a
portion of the ceiling between the south vestibule and the elevator area of the 1st
floor lobby. In 1996, a new curved ceiling feature with track lighting was installed
in this area following an asbestos abatement project.
“As tenants needs have changed or as new tenants have moved in, interior
tenant spaces have been modernized, repartitioned, or improved with new
finishes. These changes, however, do not appear to have impacted the more
distinctive design elements of the offices located along the building's perimeter
where long narrow windows on exterior facing walls, and in some cases
recessed bands of florescent light fixtures, are still extant.”
NEIGHBORHOOD COMMENTS AND REACTION: At the time of distribution, there were no
comments regarding this application.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends nomination to the National Register of
Historic Places under Criterion C. Criterion C is defined as: Property embodies the distinctive
characteristics of a type, period, or method of construction or represents the work of a master,
or possesses high artistic values, or represents a significant and distinguishable entity whose
components lace individual distinction.
COMMISSION ACTION: November 10, 2014
Brian Minyard, Staff, made a brief presentation of the item.
Ralph Wilcox, Arkansas Historic Preservation Program, made comments on the item. He stated
that the GSA Government Service Agency was starting to take a look at midcentury buildings
across the state. Properties in Hot Springs and Helena are also on the December State Review
Meeting agenda. The history of the building was interesting to write with the large amount of
information form the GSA and from newspapers of the time.
Commissioner Page Wilson commented on the uniform exterior and asked if the exterior was a
three tier system. Mr. Wilcox stated that it was not a three tire system, just two, a base and
shaft only. There is no distinctive cap to the building.
Commissioner Jeremiah Russell made a motion to accept as presented and Commissioner BJ
Bowne seconded. The motion passed with 7 ayes, and 0 noes.
It was noted that the State Review Board will meet December 3, 2014 at 10 am in Room 170 of
the Tower Building.
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V. Other Matters
Enforcement issues
None.
Certificates of Compliance
Staff wrote 2 COCs this month and copies were given to the Commissioners earlier.
Bylaw Discussion
Commissioner Page Wilson made a motion to withdraw the Bylaw Amendment. Commissioner
Jeremiah Russell seconded and the motion passed with a vote of 7 ayes and 0 noes.
2015 Calendar
Discussion centered around the legal ad column on the calendar. The date is when the legal ad
will be printed, not like last year when it stated the deadline for it to be printed. Otherwise, the
calendar is the same as last year. A motion was made by Commissioner Jennifer Carman to
approve as submitted. Commissioner BJ Bowen seconded and the motion passed with 7 ayes
and 0 noes.
Meeting locations / Walking tour
Commissioner Page Wilson posed the question if the Commission could meet somewhere else,
particularly in the district. Commissioner Mark Brown asked why the Commission should do
this? Commissioner Wilson commented that he did not want the Commission to look like judges
way up there and wants a more casual atmosphere. He also stated that he wanted to take the
Commission on a walking tour of the district. Commissioner Mark Brown stated he wanted time
to think on this. Debra Weldon added that the Commission has met in the district for other types
of meetings, work sessions and the like. Commissioner Wilson stated that he wanted a more
inviting space for public response of the RFQ.
Chair Johnson said that she liked the theory, but what if they got lost to the different meeting
places. Commissioner Jeremiah Russell said that random meeting places would tend to get
people lost to different locations. Chair Johnson stated that the history of meeting in the same
place knows where to go. Commissioner Wilson wants to engage more of the public.
Commissioner Jennifer Carman asked but how many times do we meet and not have a COA to
consider. She stated that meetings like this one could have been held in a different location.
Commissioner Kwadjo Boaitey said that any move would have to be advertised in advance that
that they should be able to find us. He noted that he sees the announcement shared on
different sites.
Chair Johnson said that there are other ways to get into the neighborhood. She asked if other
places charged a fee. There was a discussion of who charged fees and who didn’t.
Commissioner Wilson said that he has a whole page of stuff to start dialogue in the
neighborhood. He spoke of trying to attempt a dialogue of the perspective of health of the
neighborhood. In other matters, he wants conversation on other things. He stated he knows
the neighborhood, and tries to be proactive.
Chair Johnson asked Commissioner Wilson what he wanted. Commissioner Wilson stated that
when you walk versus drive, the neighborhood looks different. He wants a walking tour next
year to talk about the styles and architecture of the buildings. Chair Johnson stated that the
QQA could do it and ask others.
Commissioner Wilson asked the staff to put on the agenda 1) change of location for meeting(s),
2) initiate a walking tour during the spring or summer and 3) Consider an end of the year look at
the guidelines. Commissioner BJ Bowen suggested that Commission wait until after the
consultant finishes with the Guidelines to look at the guidelines. Chair Johnson asked
Commissioner Wilson to table the third item. He agreed to do so.
Citizen Communication
There were no citizens present at this time.
VI. Adjournment
There was a motion to adjourn and the meeting ended at 5:37 p.m.
Attest:
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Secretary /Staf
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