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Director's Report June 12, 2006 1. I am happy to report that the Commission received a significant increase in its operational budget. Last year the total was $136,099. The upcoming Budget Year it will be $161,815 -- an increase of $25,716. This increase will be used to pay a substantial portion of Stewart Gray's salary. Stewart will no longer be a consultant but will become a part-time County employee and will be obligated to devote 30 hours per week to the work of the Commission. 2. A joint public hearing will be held with the Charlotte City Council next Monday, June 19th. The sole property coming before the City Council will be the Siloam School. The Dilworth City House had originally been scheduled, but the Division of Archives and History has suggested revisions to the Survey and Research Report. Staff believes that these revisions need to be addressed before the property is brought before City Council.
3. Staff met with the Matthews Town Council during the past month to discuss how the Commission might be involved in a joint venture for the preservation of the Clark House. Discussions are on-going.
4. The Huntersville Town Council held a joint public hearing to consider the designation of the Bradford Store as a historic landmark. The Huntersville Board is scheduled to vote on the recommendation in the near future, and there is every reason to believe the vote will be favorable. 5. Staff continues to work on Survey and Research Reports on the commercial buildings in Pineville. Staff anticipates that a report on the buildings on the northern side of Main Street will be presented at the August meeting of the HLC.
6. Staff has been involved in meeting with the owners of White Oak Plantation to consider how the Commission might be involved in a preservation solution for that property, which is currently for sale.
7. Staff has visited the Grier-Rea House during the past month and has discussed with the contractor the appropriateness of the windows which have been installed in the building. These discussions are on-going.
8. Staff met with a prospective buyer of the Parks Cramer Property on South Boulevard to explain the consequences of historic landmark designation. The prospective buyer is sensitive to the historic character of the property.
9. Jason Nichols, a student intern, has submitted the results of his survey of the artifacts in the N.S. Alexander House. A meeting will be held soon with the owners to determine what they wish to retain.
10. Mary Dominick, a UNCC student intern, is conducting a reconnaissance inventory of roadside architecture in Charlotte-Mecklenburg. She is making good progress and should be finished by the end of this month.
11. The former Southern Public Utilities Streetcar Barn on South Boulevard has been demolished. One-half of the money the County used to purchase the building was subsequently used to supplement the Revolving Fund, so that the purchase of Grace A.M.E. Zion Church by the HLC could move forward. 12. The closing on Grace A.M.E. Zion Church will occur by the end of this month. The Board of County Commissioners did approve the recognition of funds to buy the property. Staff will be working to stabilize the building and prepare it for resale. A prospective buyer has already contacted the Commission about visiting the property.
Respectfully submitted
Dan L. Morrill, Consulting Director |
