HomeMy WebLinkAboutHDC1985-002 Letter From Quapaw Quarter Association To Robert Atkinson 11/26/1985QUAPAW R�2TER ASSOCIATION
Little Rock
November 26, 1985
Robert Atkinson
Office of Comprehensive Planning
City Hall
Markham at Broadway
Little Rock, Arkansas 72201
Dear Robert:
Thank you for providing the Quapaw Quarter Association an
opportunity to comment on the proposed demolition of 522 Rock St.
and the construction of a new garage behind the house at
1002 Commerce St.. Both of these matters were considered by
the QQA's Executive Committee at a meeting held last evening.
With regard to the new garage at 1002 Commerce., the
Executive Committee recommends issuance of a Certificate of
Appropriateness, noting that the owner of the property appears to
have been successful in designing a new structure that will be
compatible in scale and materials with nearby historic houses.
In the case of 522 Rock St., the Executive Committee wishes
the QQA to remain essentially neutral on the proposed demolition.
Although the Association will not endorse the demolition, it was
the consensus of the Executive Committee that saving the house
would take an extraordinary effort.
However, we do wish to express our opposition to the
creation of another surface parking lot on the site of 522 Rock St.
As you know, a new parking lot in the 500 block of Rock St. would
be subject to at least some of the same considerations as the
parking lot proposed by the Second Baptist Church in the 600 block
of Rock St. Specifically, if allowed, the parking lot would
contribute to the erosion of the edges of the district and create
yet another permanent visual intrusion into the historic character
of the district. In addition, it appears likely that the lot
would be rented for the use of "outsiders" (persons who work in
buildings located outside the historic district) during the day,
rather than being solely for the use of a building located inside
the district.
1315 South Scott a P.O. Box 1104 -0 Little Rock, Arkansas 72203 * 501-3 71-0075
Robert Atkinson
11/26/85
Page 2
The site of the proposed parking lot in the 500 block of
Rock St. does differ from the site in the 600 block in that it is
not immediately adjacent to any historic buildings. It is, however,
directly across the street from three significant structures: the
Kempner House (521 Rock), the Narkinski Cottage (515 Rock), and the
Nash House (601 Rock). Any new development on the west side of the
500 block of Rock should meet the historic district's design
guidelines and enhance the'surroundings of the historic structures
in the immediate vicinity. It is the opinion of the QQA that a
parking lot cannot serve this role. Infill development in the form
of apartments or offices would be much preferable.
If it is possible for the Historic District Commission to
do so, we hope that the proposal for 522 Rock St. can be treated
as two separate issues: (1) demolition of the existing house, and
(2) creation of a parking lot. As I have previously stated, the
QQA will remain neutral on the demolition but opposes the issuance
of a Certificate of Appropriateness for the construction of a
parking lot.
Sincerely,
Cheryl 0riffi Nichols
Execu ive Director
cc: Bill Hall, AHPP