HDC_07 09 2018Page 1 of 11
DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT
723 West Markham Street
Little Rock, Arkansas 72201-1334
Phone: (501) 371-4790 Fax: (501) 399-3435
LITTLE ROCK HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
MINUTES
Monday, July 9, 2018, 5:00 p.m.
Board Room, City Hall
Roll Call
Quorum was present being six (6) in number.
Members Present: Chair Ted Holder
Vice Chair Jeremiah Russell
Dick Kelley
Dale Pekar
Amber Jones
Robert Hodge
Members Absent: Lauren Frederick
City Attorney: Sherri Latimer
Staff Present: Brian Minyard
Citizens Present: Ralph Wilcox
Nancy Tell-Hall
Approval of Minutes
Vice Chair Jeremiah Russell made a motion to approve the June 11, 2018 minutes as
amended. Commissioner Dick Kelley seconded and the motion passed with a vote of 6 ayes, 0
noes, and 1 absent (Frederick).
Notice requirements were met on all of the items except as noted in individual hearing items.
Notice of public hearing was printed in a newspaper of general circulation, posted on the
internet and emails were sent to interested citizens and the press to inform them of the agenda
being posted online.
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DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT
723 West Markham Street
Little Rock, Arkansas 72201-1334
Phone: (501) 371-4790 Fax:(501) 399-3435
www.littlerock.gov
STAFF REPORT
ITEM NO. One.
Location of the Block Realty Building
DATE: July 9, 2018
APPLICANT: Ralph Wilcox, AHPP
ADDRESS: 723 West Markham
FILE NUMBER: NR18-004
REQUEST: Nomination of the Block Realty Building to the National Register of
Historic Places
PROJECT BACKGROUND AND DESCRIPTION:
The subject property is located at 723 West Markham. The property’s legal description is Lots
1,2,3 and the west 2/3rd of lots 4,5 & 6 of Block 135 Original City of Little Rock, Pulaski County,
Arkansas."
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PROPOSAL: The Commission will review the Nomination of the Block Realty Building to the
National Register.
The nomination states: “The Block Realty Building is a two-story Mid-Century Modern Style
commercial office building located at the southeast corner of W. Markham and State streets.
The present day .52-acres comprise 723 W. Markham, where the building is located, and two
southern lots formerly known as 718 and 720 W. 2nd Streets. The first-floor exterior features full
glazing windows and spandrel glass that covers privacy areas such as restrooms and storage
areas. The second floor features exposed aggregate tilt-up concrete panels. The building was
designed by Gene Levy of present-day Cromwell Architects Engineers1 in 1964 in the Mid-
Century Modern style with Miesian influences. A concrete block building used for storage is
located in the upper parking lot near the eastern property line. It is uncertain when it was built.
This building is non-contributing. This property has maintained a high degree of integrity from its
construction in 1965. There has been one addition on the first floor where the south façade has
an area filled under the soffit. The Corten2 steel I-beams were painted sometime between the
late 1990s to the early 2000s.”
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 lack individual distinction.
COMMISSION ACTION: July 9, 2018
Brian Minyard, Staff made a brief presentation to the Commission on the item. Mr. Minyard
introduced Nancy Tell-Hall, the intern that wrote the nomination. She stated that she was going
to write her thesis on the property where the block building stands. She mentioned her
interviews with Gene Levy, the architect who designed the building, and the fact that Governor
Isaac Murphy previously lived on the site.
There were no other citizens there to make public comment.
Vice Chair Jeremiah Russell made a motion to recommend the property for nomination to the
National Register of Historic Places. Commissioner Dick Kelly seconded the motion. The
motion passed with a vote of 6 ayes, 0 noes, and 1 absent (Frederick).
1 The firm was known as Ginocchio, Cromwell, Carter, & Neyland in 1964.
2 In 1964, the steel may have been known as CorTen. Today, it is known as Corten according to www.corten.com.
Therefore, the name Corten will be used in the nomination.
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DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT
723 West Markham Street
Little Rock, Arkansas 72201-1334
Phone: (501) 371-4790 Fax:(501) 399-3435
www.littlerock.gov
STAFF REPORT
ITEM NO. Two.
Location of Cecil M. Buffalo, Jr. House
DATE: July 9, 2018
APPLICANT: Ralph Wilcox, Arkansas Historic Preservation Program
ADDRESS: 16324 Arch Street Pike
FILE NUMBER: NR18-005
REQUEST: Nomination of the Cecil M. Buffalo, Jr. House to the National Register of
Historic Places
PROJECT BACKGROUND AND DESCRIPTION:
The subject property is located at 16324 Arch Street Pike. The property’s legal description is
Lots 1-4 of Section A of the Buffalo Subdivision, Pulaski County, Arkansas."
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PROPOSAL: The Commission will review the Nomination of the Cecil M. Buffalo, Jr. House to
the National Register.
The nomination states “The Cecil M. Buffalo, Jr., House has good integrity from the time of its
construction. Although the house and its plan do not match exactly Vollendorf’s plan in the New
Homes Guide, the plan was likely modified slightly by the Buffalo family prior to the house’s
construction. The largest change to the house was the addition of the current living room, which
was done c.1977.3 However, even with the addition of the living room, the house clearly reflects
Vollendorf’s “Baysweep” design. With respect to the interior of the house, although the finishes
have been altered and updated since the house was constructed in 1968, the “Baysweep” plan
designed by Vollendorf is very much apparent.”
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 lack individual distinction.
COMMISSION ACTION: July 9, 2018
Brian Minyard, Staff, made a brief presentation to the Commission on the item.
Ralph Wilcox, Arkansas Historic Preservation Program, stated that this was unique house with
one addition.
Chair Ted Holder asked if this was the only one like it in Arkansas. Mr. Wilcox stated it was as
far as they knew. Chair Holder asked if he was a renowned architect. Mr. Wilcox said that the
architect taught in Oklahoma and his designs were published nationwide in architectural
publications of the day. His designs do appear in other states.
Vice Chair Jeremiah Russell asked if it was designed by Vollendorf. Mr. Wilcox stated that he
believes he did.
Commissioner Amber Jones asked if it was inhabited. Mr. Wilcox relied yes.
There were no other citizens there to make public comment.
Vice Chair Jeremiah Russell made a motion to recommend the property for nomination to the
National Register of Historic Places. Commissioner Dick Kelly seconded the motion. The
motion passed with a vote of 6 ayes, 0 noes, and 1 absent (Frederick).
3 Buffalo, Shawn. Conversation with the author. 13 March 2018.
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DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT
723 West Markham Street
Little Rock, Arkansas 72201-1334
Phone: (501) 371-4790 Fax:(501) 399-3435
www.littlerock.gov
STAFF REPORT
ITEM NO. Three.
DATE: July 9, 2018
APPLICANT: Ralph Wilcox, Arkansas Historic Preservation Program
ADDRESS: 3615 W 25th Street
FILE NUMBER: NR18-006
REQUEST: Nomination of the Garland Elementary School to the National Register of
Historic Places
PROJECT BACKGROUND AND DESCRIPTION:
The subject property is located at 3615 W 25th Street. The property’s legal description is Two
Acres in the Northwest corner of the Southwest of the Southeast , Section 8, TWP 1N, R 12W
and lots 2, 3 and 4 of Block 4 of Everett Addition to the City of Little Rock, Pulaski County,
Arkansas."
Location of Garland Elementary School
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PROPOSAL: The Commission will review the Nomination of the Garland Elementary School to
the National Register.
The nomination states: “Garland Elementary School is significant at the local level under
Criterion A for Education. Purpose-built by the Little Rock School District in 1924 to replace the
smaller, wood-frame building formerly occupying the site, the building served as a school until
2001, after which it was used for administrative purposes for the Little Rock School District. As a
neighborhood elementary school (for whites), the building reflects the social and demographic
change of the surrounding neighborhood. The school was constructed in 1924 to replace the
previous facility that burned. The previous school was in poor condition, resulting in repeated
pleas from patrons to the school district to replace the building.
The continued use of the school over time resulted in several additions, each of which reflect
architectural trends in educational buildings as a result of changing theories. The original 1924
building contains Classical elements, used widely in schools at the time to translate the
importance of education. The four classroom additions abutting the primary elevation are
International style in their design, reflecting the utilitarian approach to school design in the
1950s. The simple additions, with key defining characteristics such as wide bands of windows
and inexpensive material, are a stark contrast to the collegiate, Classical design of the original
building.”
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 A. Criterion A is defined as: Property is associated with events
that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of our history.
COMMISSION ACTION: July 9, 2018
Brian Minyard, Staff, made a brief presentation to the Commission on the item.
Chair Ted Holder asked for a clarification between Criterion A and Criterion C. Ralph Wilcox,
Arkansas Historic Preservation Program, explained that A is for historic events or trends while C
is for architecture. This is for the continued use an educational facility.
Commissioner Amber Jones asked about its architectural integrity. Mr. Wilcox stated that his
staff had questions about the architectural integrity with the additions over the years, especially
on the front of the building. The applicant is working with a federal tax credit and the National
Parks Service has already deemed is contributory under criterion A.
There were no other citizens there to make public comment.
Vice Chair Jeremiah Russell made a motion to recommend the property for nomination to the
National Register of Historic Places. Commissioner Dick Kelly seconded the motion. The
motion passed with a vote of 6 ayes, 0 noes, and 1 absent (Frederick).
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DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT
723 West Markham Street
Little Rock, Arkansas 72201-1334
Phone: (501) 371-4790 Fax:(501) 399-3435
www.littlerock.gov
STAFF REPORT
ITEM NO. Four.
DATE: July 9, 2018
APPLICANT: Ralph Wilcox, Arkansas Historic Preservation Program
ADDRESS: 25 River Valley Road
FILE NUMBER: NR18-007
REQUEST: Nomination of the Thomas Gray House to the National Register of
Historic Places
PROJECT BACKGROUND AND DESCRIPTION:
The subject property is located at 25 River Valley Road. The property’s legal description is “Lot
40, Block 0 River Ridge Manor Addition to the City of Little Rock, Pulaski County, Arkansas."
Location of the Thomas Gray House
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PROPOSAL: The Commission will review the Nomination of the Thomas Gray House to the
National Register.
The nomination states: “Built in 1963, the Tom Gray House illustrates many characteristics of
the Mid-Century Modern style. Referred to as the Contemporary style in McAlester’s A Field
Guide to American Houses the Tom Gray House exhibits many of the characteristics of the
style, including wide overhangs, contrasting wall materials and textures, and unusual window
shapes and placements.
“The Tom Gray House also illustrates many characteristics of the organic style of architecture.
Some of the characteristics of organic architecture that it exhibits include a design that seems
“to grow easily from its site and be shaped to harmonize with its surroundings,” and a design
that “bring[s] out the nature of the materials [and] let[s] their nature intimately” into the design.
The Gray House’s location on the side of a hill overlooking a wooded ravine allows it to nestle
into the side of the hill and not dominate its site. Furthermore, Gray used natural materials such
as fieldstone and wood, often in a rough and unfinished nature, so that the nature of the
materials could easily be seen in the design for the property.”
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 lack individual distinction.
COMMISSION ACTION: July 9, 2018
Brian Minyard, Staff, made a brief presentation to the Commission on the item.
Commissioner Dale Pekar asked if the carport was original. Ralph Wilcox, Arkansas Historic
Preservation Program, stated it was and is considered a contributing structure. The driveway is
also contributing.
Commissioner Robert Hodge asked if the homeowner initiated the nomination. Mr. Wilcox said
that his office had approached the homeowner about a survey of the property. His office was
aware of Thomas Gray and his architectural work.
Commissioner Dick Kelly asked if there are other homes in that area that would be on the
register. Mr. Wilcox said there was one other they were interested in getting on the register. This
is the only house they know of that he designed.
Vice Chair Jeremiah Russell asked about original features in the house. Mr. Wilcox stated the
hardwood floors, fireplace, built in beds, some bathroom tiles, and the stairwell was all original
to the house. The only major modification was the owners took down the wall between the
kitchen and the dining room.
There were no other citizens there to make public comment.
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Vice Chair Jeremiah Russell, made a motion to recommend the property for nomination to the
National Register of Historic Places. Commissioner Dick Kelly seconded the motion. The
motion passed with a vote of 6 ayes, 0 noes, and 1 absent (Frederick).
All of these items will be presented at the State Review Board hearing on August 1, 2018, at
10:00 a.m. at the Department of Heritage building at 1100 North Street.
Other Matters
Enforcement issues
Staff reported the house at Sherman and 8th for enclosure of a porch. Staff has been in contact
with the owner on this issue and they are working with the local agent to remove that. Staff will
monitor it. Much more conversation would occur between the owner, agent and tenant before a
Show Cause hearing would be held. A COA application may be filed on this.
Certificates of Compliance
Staff reviewed the one item: siding repair and painting at 1320 Cumberland. It also lies within
the Capitol Zoning District and the staffs worked together to issue the permit.
Citizen Communication
There were no citizens that chose to speak during citizen communication.
Adjournment
There was a motion to adjourn and the meeting ended at 5:30 p.m.
Attest:
Chair Date
Secretary/Staff Date
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