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Charlotte-Mecklenburg Historic Landmarks Commission PROJECTS COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES March 3, 2003
Location: 2100 Randolph Road, Charlotte, NC Time: 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. Present: John Parker, Committee Chairman Tattie Bos, Committee Vice-Chairman Caroline Beacham Jeff Bradsher, HLC Chairman John Geer Yolanda Johnson-Gess John Misenheimer, HLC vice-Chairman Len Norman Dan Morrill, HLC Consulting Director Bryan Turner, HLC Projects Manager Patricia Nystrom, HLC Attorney Mary Lynn Morrill, HLC Recording Consultant Absent: Deborah Cox Joe Kluttz Valerie Lewis
Mr. Parker welcomed everyone to the meeting. The next Projects Committee meeting is scheduled for April 7, 2003 at 6:00 p.m. at the HLC office. 1. Consulting Director’s Report: Dr. Morrill presented a power point Director’s Report. 2. Trolley Barn Update: Dr. Morrill Dr. Morrill said that the situation with the Trolley Barn on South Boulevard continues to evolve. He said that the most important news is that the County Real Estate Services Department will be making a request to the County Commission on March 18th that the County use the $1.428 million in Land Bond Funds to purchase the Trolley Barn and not to expect repayment. Such purchase would be contingent upon CATS providing the money to restore the building as the home for the vintage trolley line. CATS will be making its capital budget request to the Metropolitan Transit Commission in late March. Mr. Turner commented that Mr. Ron Tober told him that several sites are under consideration for a trolley base. Ms. Nystrom reported that Mr. Miller Jordan, President of Charlotte Trolley, Inc., contacted her about the HLC transferring ownership of Trolley #85 to Charlotte Trolley, Inc. A bill of sale would contain specific "reverter" clauses such as "that if Charlotte Trolley, Inc. dissolved, the HLC would be able to buy back Trolley #85 for what it sold the car to Charlotte Trolley for." MR. NORMAN PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MS. BOS TO RECOMMEND TO THE HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMISSION THAT THE HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMISSION SELL TROLLEY #85 TO CHARLOTTE TROLLEY, INC., CONTINGENT UPON THE HLC’S APPROVING AN ACCEPTABLE CONTRACT, WHICH WILL BE PREPARED BY ATTORNEY PATRICIA NYSTROM, FOR THE PROPOSED SALE. THE COMMITTEE UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION. 3. Charlotte Cotton Mill Marketing: Dr. Morrill Dr. Morrill reported that he had talked with Mr. Peter Pappas about continuing to market the Charlotte Cotton Mill Building B, which the HLC owns. Mr. Pappas is interested in continuing to market the property. Dr. Morrill said that he had asked Ms. Nystrom to prepare a formal listing contract with Pappas Properties for presentation to the Historic Landmarks Commission. 4. Grand Theatre, 333 Beatties Ford Road : Dr. Morrill Dr. Morrill reported that the current owner, Mr. Clay Thomas, is interested in selling the building which is the only remaining theatre which once exclusively served African Americans. Dr. Morrill said that Ms. Valerie Lewis, a member of this committee, graciously donated her professional realtor services and had determined that a selling price for the building should range between $190,000 and $210,000. The owner says he is asking $275,000 for the building. The owner says that the building has 8,000 square feet, not 4,000 square feet like the tax records show. The owner also says that the building has new wiring and plumbing and a new roof. The building reportedly has ten efficiency apartments upstairs and four beauty salons downstairs. The Committee discussed the situation and agreed that the HLC’s Executive Committee decision to offer $210,000.00 for the property is satisfactory for now. Ms. Nystrom was instructed to draw up a purchase proposal for $210,000. for the Grand Theatre. An updated Projects Status Report is attached to these minutes. 5. W. T. Alexander Plantation Project: Mr. Turner Mr. Turner reported that the RFP’s will be distributed after approval by the County Attorney. 6. Report of Funds Analysis Subcommittee: Ms. Bos Ms. Bos reported that the sub committee determines that the HLC has less than $3 million to spend on projects. She said that Mr. John Spears, County Auditory, audited all of the HLC’s projects in April 1997. Mr. Turner said that he has requested this report. 7. Potential New Projects Dr. Morrill reported that Staff is preparing a list of potential properties. The list will come from the World War II Survey, the African-American Survey, the Industrial-Institutional Survey and a City Survey done in the early 1980s. The Bethesda School is one of the properties that will be on the list. Located on the corner of Eastfield Road and Alexandriana Road, the School, owned by Merle King, has been declared eligible for the National Register. Dr. Morrill showed a photograph of the school. 8. Old Business Ms. Nystrom reported that the closing for the Palmer Fire School is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. tomorrow. The HLC should received $390,000 from the sale. The HLC has a total investment of $16,000 to date in the property. Ms. Nystrom reported that she has formally requested a meeting with Johnson C. Smith University officials regarding the Davis House owned by JCSU. The HLC needs to know what the school’s current intentions are regarding the property. Dr. Morrill showed photographs of four buildings located at 401, 405, 409 and 411 East Trade Street. The buildings, constructed between 1920 and 1920, are scheduled for demolition when the new arena is built. The Committee discussed the situation and agreed that if the buildings, or facades of the buildings are saved, whatever parts are used should be incorporated into the new structure on the current site. 9. New Business There was no new business. 10. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 7:00 p.m.
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