HomeMy WebLinkAboutHDC2016-006 Letter From First Lutheran Church To Little Rock Historic Commiission 03/18/2016First Lutheran Church
314 E. 81h Street
Little Rock, AR 72202
March 18, 2016
Little Rock Historic Commission
723 W. Markham
Little Rock, AR 72201
Little Rock Historic Commission:
As Head Trustee and an official representative of First Lutheran Church, I would like to request a Certificate of
Appropriateness for our Cherry House building at 700 Rock Street in Little Rock Arkansas.
The building has its original 132 year old slate roof, which is need of replacement. For several years, we have had
water leaks, repairs have been unsuccessful, and the water continues to leak into the interior of the building. The
second floor has significant water damage, including holes in the ceiling and walls due to the leaky roof, in addition
water stains and paint damage. We would like to request a change from the original slate roof to an architectural
shingle with a slate appearance. We would prefer a slate roof, but the additional cost is prohibitive for our church.
Estimated cost of an architectural shingle replacement is $91,740 ($71,740 for the roof plus damaged wood
replacement, estimated at $20,000), while a slate shingle replacement is nearly $100,000 more at $187.785
($167,785 plus damaged wood replacement, estimated at $20,000).
We have met with the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program and they have evaluated the building. They have
recommended an architectural shingle for the Cherry House, pending grant approval. We have applied for a 2016
AHPP grant to co -fund this project to make the roof replacement financially feasible.
Our plan for the Cherry House is to utilize it as leasable professional office space. Our first floor is leased and we
would like to repair and renovate the second floor for professional tenant occupancy. We are unable to initiate
the repairs and renovation due to the active water leaks of the roof. Once, the roof is replaced, we will initiate
renovations and as each room is ready to be leased, we will have them available to professional clients.
We believe that the Historic District Commission would like to see historic buildings occupied and utilized. If we
are required to utilize a slate roof, we will not know what our next step would be. We do not have the funding
for the extra $100,000, thus a roof replacement will be unlikely. Unfortunately, if we cannot replace the roof, the
repairs and renovations will not take place, the roof will continue to leak, the second floor will remain unoccupied,
and further damage will continue to occur.
Thank you for the consideration for the Certificate of Appropriateness. Let me know if you have any questions.
Yours truly,
Robert Airo.
Trustee, First Lutheran Church