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Director's Report
May 9, 2005
1. A substantial
amount of time was spent during the last month securing Board of County
Commission's (BOCC) approval for the advance of money for the purchase
of Grace A.M.E. Zion Church. The favorable outcome demonstrates
that the HLC enjoys broad support from the BOCC. In my judgment,
this project will speak volumes about the effectiveness of the HLC and
its revolving fund.
2. I suggested
to the Projects Committee at its May Meeting that the HLC now has an
opportunity to make a strategic assessment of its revolving fund.
Now that all bond money has been spent, the Commission can be more
deliberate in determining how it should spend its money. For
example, I foresee the Commission's doing fewer restorations and
purchasing and "flipping" property instead. It might also want to
become more active in securing preservation easements and assignable
options on property, rather than purchasing the fee simple interest in
property. Finally, the Commission might want to investigate
creating a "not-for-profit" entity that would exist for the sole purpose
of receiving property by donation.
3. Staff met
with officials of Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation and Charlotte
Whitewater, Inc. to discuss the prospective designation of a portion of
the Tuckaseegee Trail as a historic landmark. The discussions
continue to be productive. A specific recommendation of what
portions of the Trail will be included in the designation will be
forthcoming in the upcoming months.
4. Public
hearings for four prospective historic landmarks will occur with the
Charlotte City Council in June. They are: George Stephens
House, Thomas Cadillac Building, Hovis Funeral Home, and the Standard
Oil Service Station. Staff will provide you of more a more
specific time and date when they become available.
5. I anticipate
that the County Manager's recommended budget will contain a "no
increase" amount of money for the HLC. I had requested a $10,000
increase to fund an educational consultant who would work to make the
local development community more aware of the economic inducements
available for historic preservation.
5. Staff met
with the owner of the Bost House in Matthews to discuss the consequences
of historic landmark designation.
6. Crosland,
Inc. intends to undertake a major upfit of the Alpha Cotton Mill.
Staff met with Crosland to discuss what might be done with the former
Cotton Warehouse building on the site. The Design Review Committee
will consider this matter at its upcoming meeting.
Respectfully submitted
Dan L. Morrill |