Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Landmark Commission - 05/20/2021MINUTES LANDMARK COMMISSION MEETING CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI Via WebEx Video Conference - 4:30 pm May 20, 2021 STAFF: Nina Nixon-Mendez, Assistant Director & Historic Preservation Officer Catherine Garza, Agenda Coordinator Craig Garrison, City Planner I. Call to Order/Roll Call The meeting was called to order and a quorum was established with Commissioner Brown absent. II. Approval of Absences – April 22, 2021: Commissioners Wilson and Wanzer A motion to approve the absences listed above was made by Vice Chairman Dees and it was seconded by Commissioner Mendez. The motion passed. III. Approval of Minutes: April 8, 2021 (Special Meeting) & April 22, 2021 (Regular Meeting) A motion to approve the April 8th minutes listed above was made by Commissioner Wanzer and it was seconded by Commissioner De La Garza. The motion passed. A motion to approve the April 22nd minutes listed above was made by Commissioner Freeman and it was seconded by Vice Chairman Dees. The motion passed. IV. PUBLIC COMMENT – None. V. Annual Preservation Awards a. Downtown Management District b. Nueces Brewing Company Chair Robbins presented item “V” for the record. The City of Corpus Christi Landmark Commission’s mission is to promote the use of historical and cultural landmarks for the culture, prosperity, education, and general welfare of the citizens and visitors to the City. Our annual preservation project is to solicit nominations on local organizations and projects taking preservation to heart. This year we are proud to announce one of each. The first award goes to The Downtown Management District for work in promoting preservation and the Main Street Program for highlighting the historic and potentially historic structures downtown through events, the downtown vacant building ordinance, the Downtown Historic Survey, and the promotion of existing tenant-space for new businesses. The second award is awarded to Nueces Brewing Company, located at 401 S. Water Street. It was constructed in the 1930s-40s and is a great example of Art Moderne and streamline styles. In 1946, it was the home of Gillespie Buick Company. Chair Robbins thanked the recipients for revitalizing historic buildings and for committing to historic preservation, enhancing Corpus Christi’s quality of life, and fostering revitalization. Additional professional contributors include Mark Adame, Christopher Hamilton, and Luddeke Architectural Design Group. After the introduction, Chair Robbins gave an opportunity for the recipients to accept their awards and to say a few words for the acknowledgement. Alyssa Barrera-Mason accepted the award on behalf the of Downtown Management District and Brandon Harper accepted the award on behalf Nueces Brewing Company. VI. Historic Preservation Officer’s Report Nina Nixon Mendez, Assistant Director, informed the Commission on the Mayor’s Proclamation for National Preservation Month on May 18th, and Vice Chair Dees was present at the City Council meeting to receive the proclamation. Also, the National Alliance of Preservation Commission has a free webinar training session on May 27, 2021, which focuses on Post Modern Architecture. She updated the Commission on the City’s historic survey database from the 1990’s which was in hardcopy format. Senior Management Assistant, Sandra Velasquez-Mendoza was tasked with transcribing this information into an Excel database. This data will be geocoded for mapping purposes with the help from our Geographic Information System staff. The plan is to COMMISSIONERS: Dr. Christine Riser-Robbins- Chair Randy J. Dees, Sr. – Vice-Chair Dr. Ira Freeman Madeleine Fontenot Kathleen de la Garza COMMISSIONERS: Rosyln Wanzer Dr. Jen Brown Armando Mendez Veronica Wilson make it available on our department website and it will be a great tool for the public to determine potential historic designations. She also updated the Commission on the Rope’s house (Steamboat house) in Heritage Park. The demolition was approved by the Commission (Vacant Structure Ordinance) and the Parks & Recreation department has identified an individual who plans to move and restore the structure. The Commission recommended architectural drawings/“white paper” if the structure was to be moved. The Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation confirmed that the white paper requirement will be fulfilled and logistics for the move are currently being done. A staff member of Asset Management is providing architectural drawings. The move will need to be authorized by City Council. Lastly, the presentation of the draft of the Historic Preservation Plan is tentatively scheduled for the next Landmark meeting in June. VII. Future Agenda Items Craig Garrison, City Planner, informed the Commission regarding the City Secretary’s updated procedures for conducting Board/Commission meetings. Meeting can now be held in person. Discussion took place regarding the method of conducting meetings throughout the summer and if the Commission would like to continue with WebEx video conference especially for the upcoming Historic Preservation Plan. VIII. Adjournment There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 5:10 p.m.