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Home My WebLink AboutHDC1995-007 Staff Report Minutes, Graphics, Letter to John Bush, and Photos 11/02/1995Minutes Little Rock Historic District Commission Public Hearing November 2, 1995 5:00 PM The meeting was called to order at 5:00 PM by Chairman Bush. A quorum was present -- Julie Wiedower, John Bush, Tommy Jameson, Carl Menyhart and Bob Roddey. City Attorney Anthony Black was present. Neighborhoods and Planning staff Tim Polk and Shawn Spencer were present. Chairman Bush asked for a motion to approve the minutes of the October 19, 1995, meeting. A motion was made by Commissioner Wiedower to approve the minutes as received. Commissioner Menyhart seconded. Motion carried. 5 ayes. 0 noes. Item # 1 Applicant: David A. Couch Location: 615 East Capitol Request: Demolition of existing structure Mr. David Couch was present and explained the application. Mr. Couch represented the Trust that currently owns the property at 615 East Capitol. Mr. Couch stated that he wanted to make two legal points. (1) Since the Tates had owned the property prior to the creation of the Historic District, the property should not be subject to the Historic District's guidelines because the Tates have a vested right in the development of the property. (2) The Historic District's guidelines are unconstitutional because of the economics of the restoration precludes the owners from making any reasonable use of the property. Mr. Couch then explained the owners attempts to sell the property over the last four years, during which no offers had been received. Mr. Couch went into further detail about the cost and feasibility of rehabilitation and the economic restraints on the owners. A discussion between the Commission and Mr. Couch then followed. Chairman Bush asked if anyone else was present in support of the application. None were present. Chairman Bush then asked if anyone was present in support against the application. Mr. Jim McKenzie, representing the Quapaw Quarter Association, was strongly opposed to the demolition of the structure and asked the Commission to deny or defer the request for demolition. Chairman Bush stated that all letters pertaining to Item #1 had been received and read by the Commissioners. Mr. Charles Marratt, principal of Marratt Associates, was opposed to the application. Mr. Marratt gave examples of deteriorated structures that have been rehabilitated in the Historic District. In each of the examples the original owners could not afford to do the rehabilitations, but buyers were found that had the economic ability to restore the structures. Mr. Marratt then told the Commission that he felt that the property could be sold and rehabilitated if an a-ressive real estate agent was employed by the owners. Mr. Richard Butler Jr., resident of MacArthur Park Historic District, spoke in opposition to the application. Mr. Butler gave a detailed description of the historical value of the property and the surrounding area. Mr. Butler asked the Commission to pursue the use of the structure as a visitor center and not to become a barrier to the new use. Mr. Jim Vanderberg, representing Navy Reserve Seabees, spoke in opposition of the application. Mr. Vanderberg was responsible for asking the Seabees to secure the structure at no cost to the owners or to the city. Mr. Vanderberg gave the Commission a technical description of the possibility of rehabilitation from his experiences as an architect and as a Seabee. Commissioner Jameson stated that bringing forth the application for demolition had increased the interest in the property, which in turn created more opportunities for the owners. Commissioner Jameson made a motion to defer the application for demolition. Commissioner Menyhart seconded. Motion carried. 5 ayes. 0 noes. Staff informed the Commission that there will be a public hearing on December 7, 1995. Commissioner Menyhart stated the need for the Commission to inspect the vinyl siding at Poe Travel. Chairman Bush asked staff to include a site visit to Poe Travel on the December agenda. There being no further business before the Commission, the meeting was adjourned at 6:00 PM. October 27, 1995 Mr. John Bush, Chair Little Rock Historic District Commission 723 W. Markham Little Rock, AR 72201 Re: Curran Hall, 615 E. Capitol Ave., Demolition Request Dear Mr. Bush: This is to urge you to deny demolition for Curran Hall at your November 2,1995 meeting. This significant antebellum structure and grounds are highly important to the MacArthur Park Historic District, the city and the state. Of approximately 18,000 surveyed historic properties statewide, around 300 are dated as built by 1865. Pulaski County has 30 of these, with 24 in Little Rock. The outstanding character of this house and grounds was recognized by the Historic American Building survey which documented the property in 1985. It was noted by the Smithsonian in 1981 when their horticulturist took cuttings of the historic plants. The property is also proposed for reuse by the Little Rock Convention and Visitors Bureau as a Visitors' Center. Curran Hall's architectural and landscape quality would enhance the image of the city and encourage downtown redevelopment. If adjacent vacant lots were acquired, they could provide service space. As a community using the best of the past for a better future, we cannot afford to lose this house and grounds. The Preservation Subcommittee of the Future Little Rock Neighborhoods Task Force identified demolition as a primary threat to revitalizing the central city. Please deny demolition and recommend the City reuse the property. Several groups are assisting this effort. The Quapaw Quarter Association will accept tax-deductible donations for Curran Hall. Individual "Friends of Curran Hall" want to work for its preservation. The Naval Reserve Seabees have boarded the structure. Together these efforts could create an outstanding example of preservation. Sincerely, NandXauv-e, , Chair, Preservation Subcommittee Future Little Rock Neighborhoods Task Force 2000 Magnolia Ave. #322 CC: Future Little Rock Neighborhoods Task Force City of Little Rock Board of Directors and Staff Friends of Curran Hall, Quapaw Quarter Association Little Rock Convention and Visitors Bureau Westside School Ad Hoc Planning Committee Attachments: Curran Hall HABS Drawings Sheets 1-4, 1985 o$a- M. � iti6 ii �^ ny ci �� p>A m �m i ma]D1 a'^mCy fA rP Z -K� T Z C4Ci0 F-_a/la�l- ti-1 y O!`�ImnZa m i>SSy Dt4 Ni O>S � �1�12��19 F Z x rm m i pp mx� 8 (yq �i sp_ ii lu j F g C AA�1 frI 'F�S�r4�oa �m m�wmF � yyak � ffQQz Fo im�0 O�m� K� p�yr r Avm>f am W �A �^ y F -Ic �^ og Ar �mm a T$ nd$p5oiyi^'$z�z�mia D g�� ydy oon i;maiA"_$z �n$y��mng �<" �wg8im��§ m�mmc��'yr`'iSm��s�9tPim gyi6=� oti��,�mgmcami=in~xiyFPz��gn�n-oo� ��p zp`n m �a � csy$ � �mp z spiz�o� ym r�,jomi�ovmRNym'�' � nmxo i z m n� _ � z x nnz a a'^DorN�mm y ftppimy Cw�n- =�axa;oz�p�gnA r aX�y�ypp �i$9c cDs>oio-z son �am�� m �wy5�`p;nm�Am�a- olq ozmy zyoio�8�=momr7. 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