Action Items.
The agreement approved
by the Historic Landmarks Commission at its March meeting stated that
Myers Park Baptist Church and Queens College would have thirty days
within which to reach an agreement regarding the moving of the Wither-Efird
House and its transfer to Queens College. It appears that in every
likelihood that agreement will be reached. However, the Church is
requesting an extension. I hereby request that the time limit for the
agreement be extended for two weeks.
The closing for the
Gluyas House is scheduled for this Friday. The contract is in accord
with the stipulations of the HLC. I hereby request that you approve a
motion authorizing me to sign on your behalf. Otherwise, the Chairman
and the Secretary or Assistant Secretary will have to attend the
closing.
I have received word
from Myers Park Baptist Church that the prospective move of the Pressley
House to Sharon Road will not occur. In keeping with the agreement
signed with Myers Park Baptist Church, the Commission has the right to
acquire the Pressley House through donation with the understanding that
it will have to be moved on site by July and moved off site by September
30, 2000 or demolished (the Church has agreed to bear the expense of
demolition). A motion will be necessary to move ahead with the
acquisition if the Commission wishes to proceed tonight. I recommend
that you postpone any decision until at least the May meeting, in hopes
that a preservation solution will be worked out or well underway by that
time.
Information Items.
The North Carolina
Division of Archives and History has awarded two grants to the HLC for
FY’ 2001. One is a grant of $1000 for the Historic Preservation
Workshop, scheduled for June 16th at the conference center at
William R. Davie Park. The other is for $2500 to contribute to an
overall budget of $12,500 for a survey of industrial and commercial
buildings of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. There is
money earmarked for the local match in next year’s HLC budget request.
I will inform you if the budget request is not approved, but matters
look very favorable at the moment.
It appears that a
solution might be forthcoming regarding the McAuley House. Dr. Tom
McCoy, who owns land on McCoy Road, is most interested in moving the
house to his property. I explained to him that it would be necessary to
have the house designated as a historic landmark. I have not been
informed about the transfer of the house to the Commission, but this
should occur in the near future.
I received a call today
from Judge Shirley Fulton who is purchasing the Wadsworth House, a
designated historic landmark, on Summit Avenue in the Wesley Heights
neighborhood. She is requesting that the Commission enter into a
purchase/restoration/buy back agreement with her (the price of the house
is $245,000). I will refer this matter to the Projects Committee for its
consideration. I have discussed this matter with Marvin Bethune, County
Attorney. If the Commission wishes to proceed, he and Pat Nystrom will
work out the legalities. There is a recommendation from the Projects
Committee that bears directly on this issue.
Emily Ramsey has
completed drafts of the Survey and Research Reports on the Carolina
Theater, the Charles R. Jonas Federal Building, the Neely Slave
Cemetery, and the John Milton Alexander House. I will be meeting with
her tomorrow to review the drafts. I anticipate that the Survey and
Research Report on the Neely Slave Cemetery will come before the
Commission at its May meeting.
There have been
important developments with respect to the W. T. Alexander Plantation.
The Board of County Commissioners has approved purchase by the HLC. I am
working with Pat Nystrom to finalize the closing. Also, Lee-Morgan, Inc.
has completed its preliminary draft of existing conditions. I will be
working with the Projects Committee to move this matter forward.
No offers have been
forthcoming on the Croft Schoolhouse. My instincts suggest that it will
take a while to sell this property. The final landscaping is still to be
completed.
The transfer of title of
Streetcar No. One to Charlotte Trolley, Inc. has been rescheduled for
April 27th. A representative of the Historic Landmarks
Commission will need to be present.
The County has received
one or two applications for the job of serving as a Project Director for
restorations undertaken by the Historic Landmarks Commission. They would
like to have three before they proceed with interviewing. I will keep
you posted.
The E. L. Baxter
Davidson House has been designated as a historic landmark. Special
thanks to the members of the Historic Landmarks Commission who attended
the joint public hearing.
City Council will be
making its nominations tonight for two seats on the Historic Landmarks
Commission. They have the option to reappoint Deborah Cox. Barry Miller
is ineligible to continue beyond his present term. There are five
individuals who have been nominated. Appointments will be made on April
24th.