1. Wonderful progress continues at the Croft
Schoolhouse. Joe Mann and Allen Brooks continue to perform their jobs
with enthusiasm. I anticipate that the building should be completed by
December. Marketing of the property should begin in the relatively
near future. The Projects Committee will consider this issue at its
next meeting.
2. I have started the process of closing on
the W. T. Alexander property. Patricia Nystrom is drawing up the
contract. I have visited the site with Joe Mann and with Scott White,
landscape architect. Structural, mechanical, and electrical
inspections are scheduled for later this week. The survey of the
property will begin performed in the near future, as well as the
mandatory referral from to the Planning Commission. This will be a
most exciting project.
3. The Board of Commissioners of Huntersville
approved the Commission's recommendation that the McElroy House and
the Osborne House be designated as historic landmarks.
4. The Board of County Commissioners has approved
placing $7.5 million in historic preservation bonds on the ballot for
November 2nd. If approved, the bonds will allow the
Commission to expand its efforts to secure the fee simple or any
lesser included interest in endangered rural historic landmarks.
Thereafter, the Commission will have the flexibility to use the bond
money for endangered historic landmarks throughout Mecklenburg County.
John Parker, Chairman of the Education Committee, is representing the
Commission on the bond committee.
5. The joint public hearing with City Council to
consider the designation of the McLaughlin House as a historic
landmark should occur in the near future. I will let you know the date
and time when that information becomes available.
6. I have distributed two letters. The first is
from the North Carolina Division of Archives and History, commenting
affirmatively upon the Commission's meeting the responsibilities of
the Certified Local Government program. Please note that the letter
confirms that this Commission has the most active historic landmark
designation program in the State. The other is from Attorney Joe
Kluttz. He thanks the Commission for its careful and professional
consideration of the Ratcliffe Florist issue.
7. Lisa Hankin has resigned her seat on the
Commission. She and her husband will be moving to White Plains, N.Y.
Lisa has made important contributions to the work of the Commission
during her two years of service. She will be missed.
8. I will be attending the Preservation/North
Carolina luncheon on September 25th at Johnson C. Smith
University and will represent the Commission in receiving an award of
merit. I will also be conducting a bus tour of Charlotte neighborhoods
that afternoon.
9. I will be working with the North Carolina
Division of Archives and History to finalize arrangements for the
consultant to begin conducting the post-World War II Survey. This will
be an exciting undertaking for the Commission and the community. The
article in the Charlotte Observer generated a substantial
amount of public interest. Thanks again to Historic Charlotte for its
generous support of this important undertaking.
10. The Introduction to Historic Preservation
Course that I am teaching at UNCC this semester will start airing on
Channel 22 near the end of this month. Take a look. Also, I will be
teaching a graduate course in Historic Preservation in the Spring
Semester as the initial course in what hopefully will become a public
history program at UNCC. I will be doing a mailing to interested
preservationists in the next several weeks. We hope that enrollment
will justify the continuation of the program. Spread the word about
the course.
11. I have reason to believe that the Highland Park
Manufacturing Company Plant No. 3 in North Charlotte will be
undergoing redevelopment in the near future. Listed in the National
Register of Historic Places and designated as a local historic
landmark, this is our best-preserved historic textile complex in
Mecklenburg County.
12. I met this morning with members of the Native
American community to explain the design review powers of the Historic
Landmarks Commission and how they would affect changes to the Palmer
Fire School. Discussions are on-going.
13. I did obtain from Mann Contractors estimates
for the restoration of the Rockwell Rosenwald School -- $185,000 to
$195,000. I talked with officials of Rockwell A.M.E. Zion Church,
owners of the property. They expressed disappointment at the amount of
money involved.
