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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHDC1989-008 Letter To Mayor Villines From LRHDC 09/18/1989C"Y of Une Rof* HISI'O&C MTRICT COMMISSION September 18, 1989 The Honorable F.G. "Buddy" Villines Mayor of Little Rock City Hall 500 W. Markham Little Rock, Arkansas 72201 Dear Mayor Villines: This letter is tendered on behalf of the Little Rock Historic District Commission, and is in reference to the destruction of the Bossinger House at 609-•11 East Capitol, owned by C.J.C. Enterprises, an affiliate of the Cashion Company. I am sure that you are aware of the events that gave rise to this disaster, as they have been well publicized in the news media. I would like to provide you some background on this situation. In June, 1987, C.J.C. Enterprises, an affiliate of the Cashion Company, applied to the Commission for a Certificate of Appropriateness for an addition to certain office space owned and occupied by the Cashion Company. The application contemplated the demolition of the Bossnger House, as it occupied the site of the proposed addition. The application was heard by the Commission at a regularly scheduled meeting on June 4, 1987. The application was opposed by the Quapaw Quarter Association and the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program. In so doing, the State Historic Preservation Officer, Mr.. Wilson Stiles, stated: "This building is in good condition and the exterior is remarkably intact. It is an excellent example of the typical structure within this district and definitely contributes to the historic significance of the MacArthur Park National Register Historic District.." The 90 orab3e F.r. 10Buddy* Villines Pago 2 September 1S, 1989 After a full hearing on the merits of the proposal, the application was denied by a vote of four to one. No appeal was t�iken by the Cashion Company within the time required by ordinance, and the matter became final, The Commission's decision was announced at the hearing, and Mr. Knight Cashion, representative of the Cashion Company and C.J.C. Enterprises, was thereafter made fully aware of the decisior: and its meaning in accordance with the procedures of the Commission. The Bossinger :House was a circa 1890 Queen Anne - structure that was in an overall good state of repair, a?though some work was needed. It was a valuable resource for the City of Little Rock, and was, at,the time of its demolition, in a condition that would have allowed its repair and return to good use had the Cashion Company so chosen. Members of the Commission urged a4 the hearing either that the structure be incorporated in the Cashion Company's expansion plans or that an alternative use be made of the structure. Mr. Cashion declined every suggestion. As you know, the Bossinger douse was demolished, under circumstances that give rise to many questions. Apparently the City wrote C.J.C. Enterprises c/o Mr. knight Cashion, a standard conditional condemnation letter on August 16, 1989. That letter, by its te:,:., gave the Cashion Company thirty (30) days in which to either effect repairs or to demolish the building. On Thursday, August 24, 1989, the Public Works Department, Cite of Little Rock, wrongfully issued a permit for the demolition of the Bossinger House, and it was torn down on Saturday and Sunday, August 26th and 27th. It is the understanding of the Commission that the City Attorney's office has undertaken an investigation of these matters and that the investigation has not been completed. This letter is to communicate to you the outrage that the Commission feels about this matter and to request that the City do everything it can to prevent a similar occurrence in the future. The City must implement immediately the procedures required to ensure that all properties located in the district are "flagged" so that the Public Works Department does not issue condemnation or other permits regarding such properties without being sure that the requirements of the district enabling statutes and ordinances, and the Procedures of the Commission are fully complied with. This should not be difficult to do. The Honotabje r.G. "Buddy" Viliines Page 3 September 18, 1989 In addition, the staff of the Public Works Department should be made generally aware that the Commission exists and functions, and is available to assist when required. The staff should also be made generally aware of the requirements of the Commission's enabling statutes and ordinances, so that they understand what the Commission is and does. Finally, the Commission urges that you, as Mayor, and the City Attorney take every legal action available to investigate this sad situation and make those responsible compensate the City and its citizens for the loss of an irreplaceable resource. Surely the circpmstances here may be described as suspicious; the Cashion Cohpany is fully chargeable with full knowledge of the law, as is the demolition contractor who applied for the permit. Both should have known that the Bossinger House was not to be destroyed without the prior approval of the Commission, and their failure to know does not excuse either from the consequences of their acts. It is true that the City has lost an important resource forever. It is further true that the City has lost prestige, and that its laws have been ignored. The latter is almost as unendurable as the first. The Commission requests that all steps possible be taken, as soon as possible, to prevent this from ever happening again, and that those responsible be punished to the fullest extent of the City's power. Sincerely yours, LITTLE ROCK HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION William H. Kennedy, III Chairman WHK/se