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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCertificate of Appropriateness-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- JUN-1 4-96 FR I 15 :27 POLICE DEPT 5013 f 16863 P. 05 i�LITTLR ROCK MSTORIC {DISTRICT CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS Date of Application: 1. Date of Public Hearing: day of �� 1.9965 2. Address of Property: _ 7th and Sherman 3. Legal Description of Property: See Attached 4. Property Owner (Name, Address, Phone, Fax): (Historic Investment Solutions City Resolution.) City of Little Rock Team has options to buy through a 5. Owner's Representative; -Paul_ Esterer 6. Project Description (additional pages may be added): See Attached 7. Project Category (determined by staff t _ . I . II ITI _. IV 8. Estimated Cost of Improvements, $2,300,000 9. Notification Requirements: _... Properties within 150 feet None 10. Submission Requirements (determined by st$flQUA— Historic NOTE: Approval by the City of Little Rock Historic District Commission does not excuse th.e applicant, owner or representative from compliance with any other applicable codes, ordinances or policies of the City of Little Rock unless expressly stated by the Commission or its staff. Responsibility for identifying such codes, ordinances or policies rests with the applicant, owner IDENTIFICATION OF THE PROPERTY 7th and Sherman Streets Little Rock, Arkansas Description: Part of Block 3, Johnson's Addition to the City of Little Rock, said block being bounded by East 7th, East 8th, Sherman and Ferry Streets, more particularly described as follows: Commencing at the Southwest corner, Block 1, Johnson's Addition, run South 89 degrees 18'22" West 30.0' to the Point of Beginning, said point being located on the centerline of right of way Ferry street, closed by City Ordinance #11451; thence 'South 89 degrees 17'59" West 317.79' along the North right of way line of East 8th Street to a point on the East right of way line of Sherman Street; thence North 00 degrees 19'05" East 227.75' along said East right of way line to a point on the South right of way line of East 7th Street; thence South 81 degrees 59,04" East 319.08' along said South line to a point on the centerline of closed Ferry Street; thence South 00 degrees 10'10" East 179.37' along said centerline to the Point of Beginning Executive Summary The Kramer School Artist Cooperative represents the acquisition, rehabilitation, and reconfiguration of the Kramer Elementary School Building into 22 affordable residential apartment units for area artists and their families. The Artist Cooperative will provide community activities which serve artists and art organizations of all disciplines, cultures, and economic circumstances. By encouraging dialogue among artists, and between members of the surrounding community, the Artist Cooperative will foster both community and economic growth. The building will make available to these tenants and the general public wide, long hallways for display and gallery space for their body of artwork as well as a 3,000 square foot auditorium which will be used as a community center for performances, exhibition space, and a forum for tenant meetings. Thd Artist Cooperative presents a unique living and working environment with many social and economic benefits to the community including, but not limited to the following: Affordable housing Historic rehabilitation and restoration Multi -cultural activities center Tenant empowerment programs Economic development Community partnerships Environmental enhancements Community project catalyst In order to realize these benefits, the project must be led by a strong development team. This affordable housing and historic restoration project proposed by the development team of the Downtown Little Rock Community Development Corporation ("DLRCDC") and the Historic Investment Solutions Team, L.L.C. ( "HIST") represents a joint venture agreement between non-profit and private organizations. HIST represents a new organization for the development of and investment into the restoration and preservation of historic real estate properties. HIST provides assistance to communities whose downtown historic areas have been neglected DLRCDC, with assistance from the Local Initiatives Support Corporation, rehabilitates properties located within the downtown Little Rock area. Once the project has been developed, the funds for the rehabilitation must be raised The $2,950,000 project will be funded primarily through the syndication of a combination of historical and low-income housing tax credits, a federally -funded affordable housing loan, and several other grants and creative financing instruments. In creating this environment, the Kramer School Artist Cooperative will support the continued professional growth of local artists and enhance both the cultural and economic vitality of the surrounding communities. This project will serve as a model for other downtown revitalization projects. Our success will be measured both by the creation of functional space for artists and by the enduring positive impact on artists and the communities around them. The Operational Business Plan summarizes the history of the School, the details of the project and the financial summary, the process for closing the transaction, and a history of the MacArthur Park Historic District. A final conclusion as to the ultimate success of this project will be revealed through a careful analysis of the exhibits and information provided herein. Kramer School Artist ' s January 1996 `- =1`. , - .... Page 3 Background The Kramer School Building was constructed in 1895 with a brick and granite design. by architect Thomas Harding. The building was named in honor of Fred Kramer, the 19th century Mayor the to the City of Little Rock and a City of Little Rock School Board member. The property has grey history of Little Rock and the State of Arkansas. Today, the Kramer School is Little Rock's oldest sunning school building and the only one dating from the 19th century. Furthermore, the Kramer Elementary School was one of the first integrated schools in the south. In the late 1800's, only a few nears after the end of the Civil War, the Kramer School was Used as the temporary school for an all black school which had recently lost its school building to a fire. The building is situated in the MacArthur Park Historic District and is one of Little Rock's few remaining examples of the Victorian -era Romanesque revival style. The second phase to the building was The final addition, designed by Max Mayer, was constructed in 1920 and contained six new classrooms. an auditorium and cafeteria for the built and connected to the previous two additions in 1931 to provide school. Like several other late 19th century school buildings in Little Rock, the Kramer School originally had d an tion entry tower that rose some six stories above the surrounding neighborhood Although, the upper features of the entTv tower was removed, circa 1950, most of the Kramer School's other original exterior features remain intact. The Kramer School served as an elementary school in Little Rock until the late 1970's. During the last fe%v rears of use, the building was occupied by the Center for Early Development and Education, an innovative experiment in early childhood education that was directed by Dr. Betty M .Caldwell. At the tithe_ Dr. Caldwell wrote that the Kramer School had been chosen for the experiment because of its location irithin a neighborhood with a sense of community. After the Center was closed, the building was declared surplus in 1983 by the Little Rick School District. Since 1983. several renovation projects have been proposed to the School Board and the City of Little Rock The projects ranged from an upscale apartment housing complex. to the creation of a high technology training center. All of these projects ha'Ve failed. Dr. F.Hampton Roy purchased the property in 1989 and attempted to restore the building. After several attempts to develop a project for the building, he decided to abandon the property. The City of Little Rock condemned the property in 1995 under the Right of Condemnation Order. Since the City condemned the property, the site has been preliminarily boarded -up. In December of 1995, The City's Board Of Directors approved of a Resolution for the giving of the property, with an appraised market value of $195.000, to HIST and/or its assigns as well as the funding of $15,000 for the remaining construction required for the completion of the mothballing and the temporary preservation of the building. The Artist Cooperative represents the most viable use of the Kramer School Building with the restoration of Little Rock's oldest school building back to a cultural and economic part of the community. Kramer School Artist Cooperative page 4 January 1996 --JIJFI- 14-4t. FF. 1 15 : 2 7 POL I CE LEPT - -- -- - 501 3 71 e,'o.' P . 05 'tfpfi LITTLE ROCK 3 � �= IUSTORIC 1 V` i j� TJ T I r ` j� U 1 1 C T ►�'r CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS Date of Application: 1. Date of Public Hearing: 4Lday of ���- 1.996, ata 2. Address of Property: 7th and Sherman 3. Legal Description of Property: See Attached 9 5. b. 7. 3, 9. Property Oivner (Name, Address, Phone, Fax): City of Little Rock�- (Historic Investment Solutions Team has options to buy through a Citv Resolution.) Owner's Representative: Paul Esterer Project Description (additional pages may be added): See Attached Project Category (determine(I by staff); _ . I . II .. Ill __ IV Estimated Cost of .improvements: $2,300,000 Notification Requirements: _.. Properties within 1-50 feet .. None 10. Submission Requirements (determined by starry 11, Signature of Owner or Representative: Historic District Commission Action (to be completed by staff); _ Denied ` Deferred — Approved — Approved with Conditions NOTE: Approval by the City of Little Rock Historic District Commission does not excuse the applicant, owner or representative from compliance with any other applicable codes, ordinances or policies of the City of Little Rock unless expressly stated by the Commission or its staff. Responsibility for identifying such codes, ordinances or policies rests with the applicant, owner IDENTIFICATION OF THE PROPERTY Address: 7th and Sherman Streets Little Rock, Arkansas Legal Description: Part of Block 3, Johnson's Addition to the City of Little Rock, said block being bounded by East 7th, East 8th, Sherman and Ferry Streets, more particularly described as follows: Commencing at the Southwest corner, Block 1, Johnson's Addition, run South 89 degrees 18'22" West 30.0' to the Point of ,Beginning, said point 13 being located on the centerline of right of way Ferry street closed by City Ordinance #11451; thence'South 89 degrees 17'S9" West 317.79' along the North right of way line of East 8th Street to a point on the East right of way line of Sherman Street, thence North 00 degrees 19'05" East 227.75' along said East right of way line to a point on the South right of way line of East 7th Street; thence South 81 degrees 59'04" East 319.08' along said South line to a point on the centerline cf closed Ferry Street; thence South 00 degrees 10'10" East 179.37' along said centerline to the Point Of Beginning Executive Summary The Kramer School Artist Cooperative represents the acquisition, rehabilitation, and reconfiguration of the Kramer Elementary School Building into 22 affordable residential apartment units for area artists and their families. The Artist Cooperative will provide community activities which serve artists and art organizations of all disciplines, cultures, and economic circumstances. By encouraging dialogue among artists, and berv.een members of the surrounding community, the Artist Cooperative will foster bath community and economic growth. The building will make available to these tenants and the geacnal public wide, long hallways for display and gallery space for their body of artwork as well as a 3.000 square foot auditorium which will be used as a community center for performances, exhibition space, and a forum for tenant meetings. The Artist Cooperative presents a unique living and working environment with many social and economic benefits to the community including, but not limited to the following: Affordable housing Historic rehabilitation and restoration Multi -cultural activities center Tenant empowerment programs Economic development Community partnerships Environmental enhancements Community project catalyst In order to realize these benefits. the project must be led by a strong development team. This affordable housing and historic restoration project proposed by the development team of the Dow'ntovm Little Rock Communin, Development Corporation ("DLRCDC") and the Historic Investment Solutions Team. L.L.C. ( "HIST") represents a joint venture agreement between non-profit and private organizations. HIST represents a new organization for the development of and investment into the restoration and preservation of historic real estate properties. HIST provides assistance to communities whose downtown historic areas have been neglected DLRCDC, with assistance from the Local Initiatives Support Corporation, rehabilitates properties located within the downtown Little Rock area. Once the project has been developed, the funds for the rehabilitation must be raised The $2,950,000 project will be funded primarily through the syndication of a combination of historical and low-income housing tae credits, a federally -funded affordable housing loan, and several other grants and creative financing instruments. In creating this environment, the Kramer School Artist Cooperative will support the continued professional growth of local artists and enhance both the cultural and economic vitality of the surrounding communities. This project will serve as a model for other downtown revitalization projects. Our success will be measured both by the creation of functional space for artists and by the enduring positive impact on artists and the communities around them. The Operational Business Plan summarizes the history of the School, the details of the project and the financial summary, the process for closing the transaction, and a history of the MacArthur Park Historic District. A final conclusion as to the ultimate success of this project will be revealed through a careful analysis of the exhibits and information provided herein. Kramer School Artist Cooperative January 1996 Page 3 Background The Kramer School Building was constructed in 1895 with a brick and granite design, by architect Thomas Harding. The building was named in honor of Fred Kramer, the 19th century jmyo��nce to the of Little Rock and a City of Little Rock School Board member. The property has greatpo history of Little Rock and the State of Arkansas. Today, the Kramer School is Little Rock'the ��e sur►i■inn school building and the only one dating from the 19tb century. Furthermore,Elementary School was one of the first integrated schools in the south. In the late 1800's, only a few vears after the end of the Civil War. the Kramer School was used the temporary school for an all black school which had recently lost its school building to a fire. The building is situated in the MacArthur Park Historic District and is one of Little Rock's few remaining examples of the Victorian -era Romanesque revival style. The second phase to the building R � constructed in 1920 and contained six new classrooms. The final addition, designed by Max Mayer, was built and connected to the previous two additions in 1931 to provide an auditorium and cafeteria for the school. Like several other late 19th century school buildings in Little Rock, the Kramer School originally hard a entn' to« er that rose some sic stories above the surron ounding neighborhood Although, pPe Po of the entry tower was removed, circa 1950. most of the Kramer School's other original exterior features remain intact. The Kramer School served as an elementary school in Little Rock until the late 1970's. During the last few ),=s of use. the building was occupied by the Center for Early Development and Education, an ation that wasetty N4 the innovative experiment i early the Krly ramerSchoolhool had beedirected osenfor the Bexperim ntlbecause otf its time. Dr. Caldwell location within a neighborhood with a sense of community. After the Center was closed_ the building was declared surplus to 1983 by the Little Fuck School District. Since 1983. several renovation projects have been proposed to the School Board and the City of Little Rock. The projects ranged from an upscale apartment housing complex, to the creation of a high _ technology training center. All of these projects have failed. Dr. F.Hampton Roy purchased the property in 1989 and attempted to restore the building. After several I attempts to develop a project for the building, he decided to abandon the property. The City of Little Rock � condemned the property in 1995 under the Right of Condemnation order. Since the City condemned the property, the site has been preliminarily boarded -up. In December of 1995, The City's Board Of Directors approved of a Resolution for the gifting of the property, with an appraised market value of $195.000, to MST and/or its assigns as well as the holding of $15,000 for the remaining construction required for the completion of the mothballing and the temporary preservation of the building. The Artist Cooperative represents the most viable use of the Kramer School Building with the restoration of Little Rock's oldest school building back to a cultural and economic part of the community. Kramer School actin Cooperative Page 4 January 1996 Commissioner Julie Wiedower made a motion that the COA be approved with a condition that an application for a building permit be made within ninety (90) days of the LRHDC's approval. Commissioner Carl Menyhart seconded the motion; a vote was taken, and it was unanimous that the COA be conditionally approved (NOTE: the ninety -day condition period expires October 9). The second agenda item was the COA application for the fire station's rehabilitation at 524 East Ninth Street. Architect Don Renshaw presented the proposed rehabilitation of the station and explained the project's scope; the rehab work increases the density of the fire station by going from one to two-story and increasing the number of bays from two to five, while staying within the building's footprint. Renshaw presented graphics of a street perspective of the structure's elevation alongside adjacent buildings. The plan is a two -storied structure of red brick with a metal -seamed roof. The bays are retained along the structure's south elevation with paned -doors for the bay openings. The windows on the second story are reminiscent of the Craftsman style, with a nine -paned sash over a single -sash. Handicapped accessibility is provided on the east elevation. The plans were reviewed by the Quapaw Quarter Association and the Arkansas Historic Preservation Office, both of which were complimentary of the architectural style of the rehabilitated fire station fitting into the historic district in a sympathetic fashion. A property owner to the north of the fire station stated that he was interested in the north facade of the structure in terms of massing, openings, etc. There was discussion about the existing outbuilding on the northwest comer and whether it would remain; it was explained that the outbuilding would remain at its existing site but with a new roof. The chain link fence along the property's perimeter (approximately 150 linear feet) was discussed, and it was stated that since the total project is approximately one million dollars, a new and different type of fence is warranted. Renshaw stated that the agreement between his office and the city manager's was to deal only with the structure. After the fencing discussion, Jameson made a motion to approve the fire station's application for a certificate of appropriateness (COA) on the condition that the chain link fence be replaced with a more compatible material and to have the approval of the LRHDC. A vote was taken and the motion was passed unanimously. The third agenda item was the COA application for the rehabilitation of Kramer School at 7th and Sherman Streets into studio spaces and apartments. Paul Esterer explained the project, which is a joint effort between the City of Little Rock (who owns the property) and the Historic Investment Solutions Team, who has an option to purchase the property. The Kramer School Artist Cooperative "represents the acquisition, rehabilitation and reconfiguration" of the structure into twenty-two (22) affordable apartment units for area artists. The Cooperative will provide community activities to serve the artists and art organizations, which in turn fosters both community and economic growth, revitalization and development. The auditorium provides space for community performances, meetings and exhibition space. 2 This joint housing and rehabilitation efforts is proposed by the development team of the Downtown Little Rock Community Development Corporation (DLRCDC) and the Historic Investment Solution Team (HIST); it represents a joint venture agreement between non-profit and private organizations. The Kramer School is an historic structure, circa 1895, designed by architect Thomas Harding; it is one of the city's few extant Romanesque revival style structures. The estimated cost for rehabilitation is $2,950,000, with construction slated for October. Funding for the project is from various resources, as the federal low-income housing and historic restoration tax credit programs, an affordable housing loan and several other grants and "creative financing instruments." The LRHDC reviewed the plans and discussed issues such as the interior and exhibit spaces, parking and fencing. While the presented plans depicted a fence along the property's perimeter, it was deleted from the final drawings. The project requires a conditional use permit. Menyhart made a motion that the COA application be approved (without the perimeter fence) and with approval of the exterior lighting. A vote was taken, and the motion was approved unanimously. As there was no further business, the LRHDC adjourned at 6:20 p.m.