HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-03-18 initial correspondence1
Ratzlaff, Hannah K.
From:Ratzlaff, Hannah K.
Sent:Thursday, March 28, 2024 8:57 AM
To:Gabe Holmstrom
Subject:RE: 1420 Commerce
Good morning, Gabe,
So glad to hear 1420 Commerce is on its way to being purchased and hopefully restored. It’s a gem in the
neighborhood. It’s one of the few remaining Folk Victorian/Colonial Revival shotgun homes left in the city, and
certainly this close to downtown. Many were destroyed during the construction of I-30 and I-630. To answer your
question, it largely depends on your future plans for the property. I know this structure is currently on the
Unsafe/Vacant list with our Housing & Neighborhood Programs Dept. as it is violation with the minimum housing
code. This does not mean it is condemned. It means that it requires public safety repairs before it can be
inhabited. In this case, the first thing I recommend you do as a new property owner/or potential property owner, is
reach out to our code enforcement team with Housing and see what repairs need to take place in order to remedy
violations. They should have a report on the property. Once you have this list and a game plan for future use, I can
assist in determining what part of your scope of work requires a Certificate of Appropriateness from the Historic
District Commission and, within this, what requires administrative review or a public hearing. The property is also
a Contributing structure to the MacArthur Park Historic District and is eligible for state and federal historic tax
credits. To summarize some basic information about the MacArthur Park Local Ordinance District and the Little
Rock Historic District Commission:
The property at 1420 Commerce is within the MacArthur Park Local Ordinance District. The goal of the local
ordinance district is to protect and preserve the unique and valued qualities of such an area, its urban design,
architectural character, and historic materials in buildings and in landscapes. A property owner in this district is
subject to the rules and regulations as set forth by the City of Little Rock ordinances, Municipal Code Chapter 23,
Sec. 76-160, that is based on Arkansas State law. Any exterior renovation of structures, additions, fencing, or other
site features need to be either administratively approved by staff or reviewed by the Little Rock Historic District
Commission at their regularly monthly public meetings.
For information for the Historic District Commission and the MacArthur Park Design Guidelines, please visit
littlerock.gov/preservation or the general City’s website: littlerock.gov
Click on Government > Planning & Development
Click on Boards & Commissions
Scroll down to Historic District Commission
In this section, you will find information regarding the HDC, the design guidelines and the application process.
Lastly, as a resource to property owners, Planning & Development staff have created an interactive map of the
district using GIS technology for property owners and residents to access key information regarding each site:
MacArthur Park Historic District Interactive Map.
Please contact staff with any questions.
Thanks,
2
Hannah Ratzlaff
Urban Designer
Planning
O: 501-371-4789
hratzlaff@littlerock.gov
From: Gabe Holmstrom <gabe.holmstrom@gmail.com>
Sent: Wednesday, March 27, 2024 2:34 PM
To: Ratzlaff, Hannah K. <hratzlaff@littlerock.gov>
Subject: 1420 Commerce
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the
sender and know the content is safe.
Hi Hannah-
Im set to close on this in May, maybe sooner. I have not directly done work in MacPark before, so can
you tell me what I need to do in order to be in compliance with you guys?
thanks,
Gabe