HDC_07 01 1993MINUTES
LITTLE ROCK HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
PUBLIC HEARING
JULY 1, 1993
5:00 P.M.
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Bush. A quorum was present - Mr. Carl Menyhart,
Ms. Julie Wiedower, Ms. Jeanette Heinbockel and Mr. John Bush. City Attorneys Stephen Giles
and Anthony Black were present.
The Chairman asked for a motion to approve the minutes of the previous meeting. A motion was
made by Commissioner Heinbockel to approve the minutes as received. Commissioner Menyhart
seconded. Motion carried. All ayes.
Item # 1 -Owner: Dr. and Mrs. Hampton Roy
Location: Kramer School - 7th and Sherman Streets
Request: Demolition
Dr. and Mrs. Hampton Roy were present. Dr. Roy presented his application to the Commission. He
explained that he had received numerous complaints about the subject property. He gave a brief
history of the property - he bought Kramer School in 1988 and subsequently received approval for a
single family residence. Dr. Roy stated that currently it is too expensive to do. The property is on
the market with Herschel Bowman and two individuals have expressed interest in the property as a
vacant lot. It is listed at $198,000.00. Dr. Roy stated that he would be willing to let someone move
the structure and that he had made an honest effort in terms of selling and in terms of donating the
structure. He said he had contacted and tried to give the property to the Arkansas Arts Center, the
Museum of Science and History, the Library, Ballet Arkansas, a home for single mothers and a
nonprofit religious group.
Dr. Roy stated that he had three letters in support of the demolition request - one from Mr. Steve
Zimmerman, one from Reverend and Mrs. Betty Thompson and one from Mr. Richard Dixon. Dr.
Roy also said that there were two letters against the demolition, one from Cathy Buford, with the
Arkansas Historic Preservation Program and one from Cherie Nichols with the Quapaw Quarter
Association.
Commissioner Heinbockel asked Dr. Roy if anyone had evaluated the main structure for soundness.
Dr. Roy responded that Witsell, Evans and Rasco had studied the structure some years back, and that
now the roof is leaking and the wood floors are sagging. The main building, built in the 1890's, is
three bricks thick so the outside wall is very sturdy. The foundation and lintels are granite. He
explained that much of the wood is rotted.
A lengthy discussion followed concerning the condition and cost of demolition of the main structure
and the two additions, and problems with securing the structure.
Chairman Bush noted that demolition was a last resort solution and is actively discouraged.
Dr. Roy responded that he had paid $150,000 for the structure and spent 5 years looking for a
suitable use.
Chairman Bush proceeded to open the floor for discussion and asked those in favor of the
application for demolition to come forward and introduce themselves.
Dennis Davenport came forward and said that he lives in Quapaw Towers. Mr. Davenport stated
that Kramer School was unsightly and that he was in favor of demolition.
The Chairman asked those people opposed to demolition to come forward. Those who came
forward and spoke were Linda Stanley, a Quapaw Towers resident and Quapaw Towers board
member; Gene Terry, president of the Quapaw Towers property owners association; Holly
Trantham, Quapaw Towers resident; Cathy Buford Slater director of the Arkansas Historic
Preservation Program; Cheri Nichols, executive director of the Quapaw Quarter Association; Robin
Loucks, a downtown resident and president of the Quapaw Quarter Association; and Tom Wilkes, a
downtown neighborhood business and property owner. Mr. Wilkes volunteered to personally take
complaint calls about Kramer School for the next 18 months and be chairman for maintenance for
the spontaneously formed "Friends of Kramer School" organization.
After a lengthy discussion, Commissioner Heinbockel offered as a possible solution for Dr. Roy to
spend the demolition money to repair the roof on the original structure and demolish the two newer
additions.
After more discussion, Dr. Roy stated that he would like the Commission to act on his original
application.
Commissioner Wiedower made a motion to deny the application for demolition Kramer School.
Commissioner Menyhart seconded. The vote was taken. All ayes. Motion carried.
Item #2 - Owner: Greater Little Rock Revolving Fund for
Historic Preservation; Tom Wilkes, Agent
Location: 519 East 8th Street
Request: Restoring and remodeling of front porch
and windows
Mr. Tom Wilkes presented this application for the Greater Little Rock Revolving Fund for Historic
Preservation. He introduced the proposed owner of the property, Mr. Barry Corkin. Mr. Wilkes
explained the plans for restoration and stated that he would like to amend his application to reflect
changes suggested by both the Quapaw Quarter Association and the State Historic Preservation
Program.
The Chairman accepted Exhibit 1 and Exhibit 2 as amended by the applicant. The changes included
2 over 2 windows and modified dentil details.
Commissioners Heinbockel made a motion to approve the application as amended. Commissioner
Menyhart seconded. The vote was taken. All ayes. Motion carried.
There being no further business before the Commission, the meeting adjourned.
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