Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutHDC1999-032 Staff Report And Recommendation 11/22/1999(3L City of Little Rock HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION STAFF REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS PREPARED BY: V. Anne Guthrie DATE: 22 November 1999 APPLICANT: City Housing and Neighborhood Programs, Code Enforcement Division ADDRESS: 1422 Rock Street COA REQUEST: Demolition of structure PROJECT BACKGROUND, DESCRIPTION AND ANALYSIS: The subject property is located south of I-630, in the area damaged by the January tornado. The structure is on the northwest corner of Rock and 15th streets. This Craftsman styled structure is the Markwell Apartments, constructed circa 1900; it is listed in the district's architectural survey as contributing. The staff report for August contains additional details of the structure's historical and architectural significance. There are four units, two up and two down; prior to the tornado, only one unit downstairs was occupied. At the LRHDC August meeting, the property owner of the subject property requested a new roof, it was deferred until roof drawings could be submitted for clarification. The property was presented at the September meeting for its demolition by the City Code Enforcement Division. The request was deferred for three months or until the property owner makes a decision as to whether he wants a new pitched roof (as presented at the August meeting) or if he wants the structure demolished. In late September, the applicant presented staff with a written document stating that he wanted the structure demolished. At the 29 October LRHDC meeting, the request for demolition was deferred until an engineer's report was submitted that addressed specific structural issues. Also, the LRHDC denied the owner's request for a new roof due to the expiration of time and the owner's decision to demolish the structure. NEIGHBORHOOD IMPACT AND REACTION: The subject property is the only structure requesting demolition that was not removed from its foundation by the tornado. A two -storied structure was located to the north of the subject property's, but it was demolished due to the tornado damages. There were six homes on the east side of Rock, which were approved for demolition; of the seven approved demolitions, two were at the owners' expense. At the time of distribution, there were no objections to the demolition request by letter or phone. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: It is staff recommendation that the request for demolition be approved. STEVE MARTIN, P.E. CONSULTING STRUCTURAL ENGINEER P.O. BOX 366 ATKINS, ARKANSAS 72823 (501)-641-2849 5 November, 1999 Mr. Raymond Rogers 2008 Scott Street Little Rock, Arkansas 72206 Dear Mr. Rogers: Per your request, I conducted a structural inspection of the house at 1422 Rock Street in Little Rock, Arkansas on 4 November. The following is a summary of my findings: 1) The house is a two story, Victorian type structure with brick veneer. 2) The major portion of the roof is missing and the second floor is, for the most part, exposed to the elements. 3) In several areas the brick veneer has either fallen off or been removed. 4) A large lintel beam on the west side of the house appears to have failed due to flexure combined with decay and rotting. 5) Many of the load carrying elements (floor joists, ceiling joists, lintels, wall studs, etc., are severely decayed and rotten. 6) The floors in several of the rooms are sagging excessively. 7) Several ceiling joists have apparently been exposed to fire at sometime. It is my opinion that in its present condition the house is structurally inadequate and would be unsafe for habitation even with a new roof. It is also my opinion that even if it were possible to bring the house up to code required standards, the cost in money, time and effort would be prohibitive. I recommend that you seriously consider having the structure torn down. If I can be of further assistance in this matter please let me know. Sincerely, A )hn S. Martin, P.E. ST pTE G�� /00 ARiSAN REGISTERED PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER No. 5861 f0yN_S. MAR�— � STOVE MARTIN, P.E. CONSULTING STRUCTURAL ENGINEER P.O. BOX 366 ATKINS, ARKANSAS 72823 (501)-641-2849 15 November, 1999 Mr. Raymond Rogers 2008 Scott Street Little Rock, Arkansas 72206 Dear Mr. Rogers: Per our telephone conversation of] 5 November, 1 nOn. I have given some thou�1ht to what I believe it would cost to renovate your house at 1422 Rock Street in Little Rock. Based on my inspection of the structure earlier this month, I believe that the following steps would be required to bring the house up to code stipulated standards: 1) The upstair and downstair floor sheathing would have to be completely removed 2) All wall sheathing would have to be removed 3) Each stud, joist, lintel, etc. would have to be carefully inspected to check for structural adequacy/soundness 4) Based on my previous inspection, I would anticipate that most of the studs. joists lintels, etc. would have to be removed and replaced 5) The existing foundation would have to be examined to determine structural adequacy and serviceability. I anticipate that most of the existing foundation would have to be replaced or repaired. 6) Steps 5 and 6 above would probably require jacking up and/or temporarily supporting portions of the structure while the work is being done 7) Based on what I saw during my inspection, I would expect most of the existing lumber to be full sawn. It is my understanding that full sawn lumber is generally not available, therefore, numerous special construction details would have to be employed to make available dressed or rough sawn lumber perfonn properly 8) Most of the brick veneer would have to be removed either due to existing distress or to damage caused by the jacking up and supporting of the wood structure 9) The plumbing and electrical system would have to be replaced The steps described above amount to effectively tearing the structure down and rebuilding it while it is still standing. L Mr. Raymond Rogers Page 2 In my opinion, the cost of performing the work described above as as procuring the specialty architectural items required to maintain the historical theme in the house would cost somewhere between $225,000 and 350,000. If I can be of further assistance in this matter, please let me know. Sincerely. Jcyhn 5, Martin, P.E.