HomeMy WebLinkAboutHDC1992-009 Letter To Molly Satterfield From Quapaw Quarter Association 12/02/1992Qda-aw Quarter Association
1315 South Scott Street - P.O. Box 165023 - Little Rock, Arkansas 72216 - 501-371-0075 - FAX 501-374-8142
December 2, 1992
Ms. Molly Satterfield
Historic District Commission Secretary
Department of Neighborhoods and Planning
723 NVest Markham Street
Little Rock, Arkansas 72201
BY HAND
Dear Molly:
I have discussed the proposed application of vinyl siding to the Scott House at 923 Cumberland
Street with members of the QQA's Historic Districts and Structures Committee, and it is the
committee's consensus that the Historic District Commission should not allow artificial siding to be
applied to historic structures in the MacArthur Park Historic District.
This recommendation is based not only on aesthetic considerations but also on the growing body
of evidence that indicates vinyl siding (1) often simply conceals problems, such as rottillg wood,
which eventually may threaten a building's structural soundness and (2) is not the permanent
maintenance solution that it is touted to be.
It now is known that both aluminum and vinyl sidings eventually need to be painted (aluminum
cracks and peels; vinyl fades), and new paints have been formulated specifically for this purpose.
Moreover, a high -quality vinyl siding application costs as much as two or three (or more) paint
jobs --and may not last much longer. Siding applications that cost less are not of the quality that
should be considered in a historic district,
With regard specifically to the Scott House, its corner location makes it impossible to "hide" the
siding application, as was done with some success at 913, 915, 1012, and 1022 Cumberland,
where siding was applied only to the side and rear facades. Only the north facade of the Scott
House cannot be seen from a street. Artificial siding would be easily visible on all the other
facades of the house.
Finally, just as new design review guidelines are being drafted for the MacArthur Park Historic
District, allowing another artificial siding application seems inadvisable --particularly when the draft
guidelines specifically state that "artificial or substitute materials such as vinyl or aluminum should
not be used."
Sincerely,
Cheryl Ni ols
Executive Director