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Charlotte-Mecklenburg Historic Landmarks Commission
PROJECTS COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
October 26, 2000
Location: 2100 Randolph Road, Charlotte, N. C. Time: 6:00 p.m. - 7:40 p.m. Present: John Parker, Committee Chairman Phiderika Foust, Committee Vice-Chairman Jeff Bradsher, HLC Chairman John Geer Amy Gray Grier Martin Zac Moretz Ross Richardson Greg Walden Dan Morrill, HLC Consulting Director Bryan Turner, Engineering & Building Standards/HLC Projects Manager Mary Lynn Morrill, HLC Recording Consultant Absent: Ellyn Baeszler Bernard Felder Scott Hirsch Rob Thomas Visitors: Bruce Jenkins, Silver Set Lodge #327/Newell Rosenwald School Fred Alexander, Silver Set Lodge #327/Newell Rosenwald School Willie Johnson, Silver Set Lodge #327/Newell Rosenwald School Dillon McManus, Silver Set Lodge #327/Newell Rosenwald School Roger Seegar, Silver Set Lodge #327/Newell Rosenwald School RECOMMENDATIONS
1. MR. GEER PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MS. RICHARDSON TO RECOMMEND TO THE HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMISSION THAT IT NEGOTIATE AN ACCEPTABLE PURCHASE PRICE WITH KNOTT DEVELOPMENT RESOURCES, INC. FOR 11647 ROZZELLES FERRY ROAD, CHARLOTTE, N. C. - ALL SIX PARCELS (O31-222-51, 52, 53, 54, AND 56) WHICH COMPRISE A TOTAL OF APPROXIMATELY 6.2 ACRES INCLUDING THE ROZZELLE HOUSE AND THE ALEXANDER HOME . THE COMMITTEE UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION. 2. MR. MARTIN PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MS. GRAY TO RECOMMEND TO THE HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMISSION THAT THE PURCHASE OF THE HISTORIC GRAND THEATER, 333 BEATTIES FORD ROAD, CHARLOTTE, N. C. BE INVESTIGATED. THE COMMITTEE UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION. 3. MR. MORETZ PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MR. GRIER TO RECOMMEND TO THE HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMISSION THAT $500.00 BE SPENT TO INVESTIGATE THE HISTORIC SIGNIFICANCE OF THE FORMER NEWELL ONE ROOM SCHOOLHOUSE LOCATED ON OLD CONCORD ROAD IN MECKLENBURG COUNTY. THE COMMITTEE APPROVED THE MOTION WITH OPPOSITION FROM MS. RICHARDSON AND MS. FOUST. AGENDA
1. Welcome: John Parker Mr. Parker welcomed everyone to the meeting. He said that officers from the Silver Set Lodge #327 are present regarding concerns about the Newell Rosenwald School. Mr. Alexander told the Committee members that the Lodge members want to do what is "right" for this designated historic landmark. The building, which does not meet fire codes and is in violation of building codes, needs a lot of help. The Lodge is seeking advice and assistance from the HLC. The Lodge currently has a little less than $30,000 which can be used for the building’s restoration which they believe should cost about $50,000. Mr. Walden surveyed the property, and he estimates that restoration will cost about $200,000. Mr. Bradsher reminded the Lodge members that the Historic Landmarks Commission does not lend money to owners of historic property for restoration - that the HLC must buy property in order for revolving funds to be used. Mr. Parker appointed a subcommittee composed of Ms. Gray, Mr. Walden and Mr. Bradsher to work with the Lodge members, to evaluate the situation and to make recommendations for the property. Mr. Turner will be a part of the subcommittee. 2. Update on Current Projects: Dan Morrill a. Croft Schoolhouse, 9200 Bob Beatty Road - The Commission has completed the restoration of the building and has it listed for sale with Percivals for $490,000 - the approximate amount spent on the acquisition of the property, zoned B1, and restoration of the building. There have been no offers on the building since it was first offered for sale at the beginning of this year. b. McAuley House, 10900 Alexanderana Road - Withrow Properties will donate the house and outbuildings to Mecklenburg County that will then transfer the house and outbuildings to the Historic Landmarks Commission. The Commission will have to move the house and outbuildings to another location by March 2001 or they will be demolished. c. W. T. Alexander Plantation, 216-218 Mallard Creek Church Rd. W. - The Commission has an approved budget of $1.1 million for this project. The HLC owns 4.63 acres and five structures - house, barn, garage apartment, well house, and chicken house. Barn restoration must be finished by September 1, 2001. Mr. Turner reported that interviews with potential architects will be held at the HLC office on November 8. $20,500 is the appraisal of the easement and a highest and best use study by Fitzhough Stout shows that office is the best use. d. Charlotte Cotton Mills, 508 W. 5th Street - The HLC has an approved budget of $4 million for this project. The closing date is set for November 7. e. Oehler Property, 14401 Huntersville-Concord Rd. - The owner has accepted the HLC’s contingency contract for the house and approximately 140 acres . No purchase can be made without approval from the Board of Commissioners of Mecklenburg County. Mr. Wayne Weston will let the HLC know by November 10 what Park and Recreation’s intent is regarding being involved in a purchase. f. Ratcliffe-Otterbourg House, 2100 Randolph Road - The HLC has submitted an offer to purchase the house from Historic Charlotte, Inc. Dr. Morrill said that the County will make HC, Inc. whole but will not pay a profit. Negotiations continue. 3. Grier House (corner of Tilley Morris Road & McKee Road.) - Portrait Homes has proposed that the HLC acquire the Grier House and a certain amount of land. Staff concludes that the house is historically significant and can most likely qualify for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. Mr. Turner has visited the property and has determined that the house is generally in sound condition. An appraisal, a Phase One environmental study and structural and mechanical inspections are needed. Dr. Morrill said that he will visit the property again tomorrow and meet with the developer tomorrow to solicit a donation to the HLC of the house and a small piece of land from the large tract which is scheduled for a dense housing development. Dr. Morrill said that the Grier House must be designated historic before revolving funds can be used. Mr. Parker appointed a subcommittee composed of Mr. Moretz, Mr. Geer and himself to assist Dr. Morrill and Mr. Turner in matters involving this property. 4. Rozzelle House, 11647 Old Rozzelles Ferry Road (See Recommendation #1) - Knotts Realty has proposed that the HLC purchase this house and a certain amount of land. Dr. Morrill reported that he believes that the property, which is not locally designated historic, would quality for the National Register of Historic Places. Mr. Turner has visited the site and has determined that the house might have significant environmental abatement challenges and may have considerable structural damage. 5. Historic Grand Theater, 333 Beatties Ford Road (See Recommendation #2) - The owner is very interested in historic designation for the property and is willing to consider selling it to the HLC. Dr. Morrill said that if the HLC wants to pursue purchasing the property, an appraisal is needed along with a Phase One environmental study and structural and mechanical inspections. 6. Newell Schoolhouse, Old Concord Road (See Recommendation #3) - The owner is interested in investigating preservation strategies for the property, which is located in the Newell community. Dr. Morrill visited the former one room schoolhouse and questions the structure’s having sufficient integrity to warrant designation as a historic landmark. 7. Old Business No motions were presented. 8. New Business No motions were presented. The meeting adjourned at 7:40 p.m. |