HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Landmark Commission - 08/24/2000 61' 23
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LANDMARK COMMISSION MEETING r^. OCT 2600 1.3
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS e E CE%VED o
AUGUST 24, 2000 CITY SECRETARY'S
OFFICE /
MEMBERS PRESENT: Ms. Deborah Douglas, Chairman
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Mr. Alan Belcher
Ms. Sharon Brower
Mr. Michael Cleary
Ms. Grandis Lenken
Mr. Mark Luddeke
Mr. Kevin Maraist
Mr. Terry Orf
Mr. Tom Stewart
MEMBERS ABSENT: Ms. Betsy Chapman (Excused)
Ms. Lisa Garza (Excused)
Mr. Elmon Phillips (Excused)
Ms. Elizabeth Rentz (Excused)
Mr. Jerry Wagoner (Excused)
STAFF PRESENT: Ms. Faryce Goode-Macon, City Planner
Ms. Linda Williams, Recording Secretary
Ms. Deborah Douglas, Chairman, called the meeting to order at 4:35 p.m.
The roll was called and a quorum was declared.
ACTION ITEM(S):
Approval of Minutes for May 25, 2000 Meeting: Minutes for the May 25, 2000
meeting were approved with the following correction:
Page 4: "Other Matters," Mr. Cleary s name was misspelled in the
motion. Minutes read "McCleary."
Resolution and Support of Nueces County Application to the Texas
Historical Commission for the Historic 1914 Nueces County Courthouse: Ms.
Brooke Sween-McGloin addressed the commission. Ms. McGloin expressed
thanks for placing her on today's agenda. Ms. McGloin stated she was here
on behalf of Nueces County who hired her firm to do a master plan and
grant application to submit to the Texas Historic Courthouse Preservation
program. Ms. McGloin continued the firm is seeking a $3.7 million grant in
order to begin restoration of the 1914 County Courthouse. Ms. McGloin
stated she was requesting the Landmark Commission to create a resolution
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August 24, 2000
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supporting the application for funding for the restoration of the historic
Nueces County Courthouse from the Texas Historic Courthouse
Preservation Program. Ms. McGloin read the resolution into record. After
Ms. McGloin's presentation, the floor was opened for questions and
comments.
Mr. Stewart asked if the Landmark Commission had submitted a resolution
of support several months ago for a grant to restore the courthouse and
Ms. McGloin answered that the Landmark Commission did submit a
resolution that was similar to the presented today. Ms. McGloin continued
that previous resolution was for the City to apply for a grant through the
Department of Transportation to create a transportation museum. After
all comments had been received, the following action was taken:
IT WAS MOVED BY MR. MARAIST AND SECONDED BY MS. LENKEN
THAT THE LANDMARK COMMISSION APPROVE RESOLUTION AS
PRESENTED BY MS. BROOKE SWEEN-MCCLOIN.
MOTION PASSED.
DISCUSSION ITEM(S):
Update on Historical Web Site: Ms. Faryce Goode-Macon, Staff Liaison,
addressed the commission. Ms. Macon stated that the consultant has
created the home page and has entered historical pictures that will be
included on the web site. Ms. Macon continued that they are waiting for
staff to complete the narrative to be included with each site. The more
the script can be in final form, the lesser the cost will be. Ms. Macon
continued that it is possible that the consultant can provide a draft copy of
what has been inputted on the site for the next meeting. Ms. Macon
stated the project is on schedule and Ms. Lisa Garza was very instrumental
in getting the project as far along as it is. Ms. Macon informed the
commission that the September meeting would be Ms. Garza's last
meeting. She will be relocating to Austin.
Update on Historical Plaque Installation: Ms. Macon stated that twenty-
eight (28) responses were received from property owners who wanted to
have a plaque installed on their structure. Ms. Macon continued that eight
(8) owners wanted to install their own plaques. The City Park and
Recreation Department crews were given the plaques, along with the
listing of structures, and a drawing that showed placement for each
plaque. Ms. Macon stated that the owner at 821 Oak Park requested that
their plaque be installed by September 9, 2000. Their structure was also
receiving a Texas Marker and a formal ceremony would be held between
September 15 through September 23. Ms. Macon continued that the
property owners were very pleased with the plaques and several owners
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August 24, 2000
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are interested in acquiring a "HC" overlay for their property. Ms. Macon
commented that overall, the response has been very positive.
Ms. Douglas asked if the owners chose the location for placement of the
plaque or did Staff make the selection and Ms. Macon answered that both
the owner and staff agreed upon placement of the plaque.
Other Matters:
Ms. Sween-McGloin stated she wanted to let the commission know about a
project regarding the Mercantile Building located at Staples and Leopard
Streets. The building houses Alma' Bail Bonds Company and, at one time, it
was a Chinese Restaurant. Ms. McGloin continued that this block extends all
the way down Leopard Street to the pawnshop. These were very neat old
historic mercantile buildings many years ago and they are part of the
historic fabric of our community. Ms. McGloin continued it was her
understanding that there is a preliminary design phase for a bus facility
that would move the Greyhound Bus facility up the hill. The move would
place the facility adjacent to the Staples Street Station so there would be
some kind of connectivity. Ms. McGloin stated that the preliminary designs
she reviewed showed the demolition of those buildings and a metal
building would replace the ones demolished and would be used as new the
bus facility. Ms. McGloin continued she did not know what impact the
Landmark Commission's input would have on the project, but if there is a
way the architect/engineer could be convinced to include the buildings in
the project, it could save the structures. Ms. McGloin went to say that she
tries to encourage people to adaptively reuse existing buildings and if
those buildings could somehow be included, it would be a win/win
situation. Ms. McGloin continued she wanted to make sure that the
Landmark Commission was aware of the project and possibly could have
some input before the structures are demolished.
Ms. Macon stated she spoke with a representative working with the project
and since it is federally funded, there is a historical component that has to
be completed; which will allow the Landmark Commission to review plans
for the project. Ms. McGloin stated she was glad that the commission
would have an opportunity to provide input on the project. Ms. Doulgas
asked which firm drew the plans and Ms. McGloin responded that Govind
and Associates drew the project plans. McGloin continued that she
applauds the project and feels it is not an either/or, but it is a yes/and
situation, and if somehow they could be encouraged to adaptively reuse
some of the existing structures, it would benefit everyone. After all
comments concluded, Ms. Macon stated she would follow up with the local
firm and place it as an agenda item for the next meeting.
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August 24, 2000
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There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 5 p.m.
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—'Lin Williams \ Faryce Goode-Macon, City Planner
Recording Secretary Staff Liaison to Landmark Commission
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