HomeMy WebLinkAboutHDC1993-004 Letter From Nancy DeLamar To HDC, Handwritten Letter, Notice Of Public Hearing And Addressed Envelope 10/02/1993Nancy DeLamar
401 Ridgeway
Little Rock, Arkansas 72205
October 2, 1993
Historic District Commission
City of Little Rock
City Hall
Little Rock, Arkansas 72201
Re: Demolition of properties in the 1300 block of Rock and the 300 block of 14th Street.
I would like to lend my support for the demolition of the houses that are under review by the
Commission. I own two houses in the 1300 block of Cumberland Street. The future of both these houses
is in serious jeopardy due to the abandoned structures on Rock and 14th. My mortgage on the houses
is supported by rent my tenants pay. If I lose tenants, I cannot make the mortgage. No tenant, no
payments -- the bank forecloses. I lose my investment and my good credit. The city loses the taxes I
pay and two more houses could join the ranks of those structures abandoned and neglected.
By way of contrast, 1305 and 1309 Cumberland are currently occupied by tenants who have lived there
for several years. They are young professional people who want to be a part of the diversity of life that
living in the Quapaw Quarter offers. Those people are under siege by those who have taken up residence
in the burned out shells and abandoned houses targeted for demolition.
In my history of owning houses on Cumberland Street since the late 70's, there had never been attacks
on property or people. In the last six montlis, the house at 1305 Cumberland has been broken into six
times. Neither house is easy to break into and the yards are fenced. I am in the process of putting
barbed wire on the fences and bars on the windows. The changes in the Cumberland Street
neighborhood, since the abandoned houses on Rock and 14th have been taken over by a transient and/or
criminal element, have been dramatic and grave.
I have renovated over six houses in the Quarter. I hate to lose houses that make our neighborhoods rich
in architecture and diversity. However, the houses on Rock have been neglected and allowed to
deteriorate. The burned out shells invite transients and rodents ... or worse.
The attached letter tells the story of one young woman who wanted to live on Cumberland Street. She
in the ideal person to have as a neighbor, a tenant, and is a young professional who can offer the future
of Little Rock so much. I have lost her as a tenant, Little Rock has probably lost her as an advocate for
the Quapaw Quarter.
I hope you will proceed with the demolition and can accomplish the task before cold weather makes the
abandoned structures even more inviting as temporary shelters against the cold. More fires will inevitably
result, and that could bring loss of life as well as serve as a fire hazard to the rest of the houses in the
neighborhood.
Please share my letter with the members of the Commission and other involved parties.
Thank you.
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City of Little Rock
HISTORIC DISTRICT CommiSSION
NOTICE of PUBLIC HEARING
APPLICATIONtA rnnir, _,MN
FOR A C RI
COMM
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AN
ON ANT F CATEIOFRAPPROPRIIA ENESS
"'To ALL owners of land lying within the following area of influence:
A. Adjacent to subject property
B. Within 150 feet of subject pr pe t
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Address:
General Location:
Owned By:
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT an application for a Certificate of
Appropriateness on the above described property requesting the
following changes:
has been filed with the Office of Comprehensive Planning,
City Hall. A public hearing on said application will be held by
the Little Rock Historic District
ist Commission
Hall on
the Board of ,
Directors Chamber,
19!?3 at �.S •�o _A . m
ALL PARTIES IN INTEREST MAY APPEAR and be heard at .said time and
place or may notify the Planning Commission of their views on this
matter by letter. All persons interested in this request are
invited to call or visit the Office of Comprehensive Planning,
City Hall, 371-4790, and to review the application and discuss same
with the planning staff.
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