HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Landmark Commission - 05/25/2023MINUTES - REGULAR MEETING
LANDMARK COMMISSION
CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI
CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS - 4:30 pm
1201 LEOPARD STREET
THURSDAY, MAY 25, 2023
COMMISSIONERS:
COMMISSIONERS:
Armando Mendez -Chairman
Albert Montez
Wade Williams -Vice Chairman
Jeff Mumme
Dr. Jen Brown
Dr. James Pruitt
Matthew Forrester
Elizabeth Riggle
Gordon Landreth
Michelle Wanzer
Veronica Wilson
STAFF:
Nina Nixon -Mendez, Assistant Director
Robert Kurtz, Historic Preservation Officer
Ruth Bocchino, Agenda Coordinator
Buck Brice, Assistant City Attorney
I. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL: 4:34 pm.
The meeting was called to order and a quorum was established. Commissioners Brown, Montez,
and Riggle were absent.
if. PUBLIC COMMENT: None.
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: April 27, 2023.
A motion was made by Commissioner Pruitt to approve the minutes, seconded by Commissioner
Wilson. The Vote: All Aye. The motion passed.
IV. APPROVAL OF ABSENCES: 4/27/23: Commissioner Montez.
A motion was made by Commissioner Williams to approve the absence, seconded by
Commissioner Landreth. The Vote: All Aye. The motion passed.
v. 2023 ANNUAL PRESERVATION AWARDS CEREMONY.
Chairman Mendez opened the ceremony and stated: "Annual awards are given by the Landmark
Commission to projects that exemplify the Landmark Commission's mission., to promote the use
of historical and cultural landmarks for the culture, prosperity, education. and general welfare of
the people and visitors to Corpus Christi. We also will be recognizing our Historic Preservation
Photo Contest winners this afternoon. "
Vice Chairman Wade Williams presented two building awards:
"Zoralu, LLC is being honored with a Building Award for preserving the Art Deco building at 1800
S. Alameda St. which opened in 1940 and has been operated as a restaurant and coffee shop
for 83 years. The building historically was known as The Chef Sandwich and Coffee Shop, and
Price's Chef. The building has been preserved, retaining its original appearance. The building's
interior exhibits the classic American diner with red, white, and blue stools and booths, black
and white tele flooring, and nostalgic photographs and memorabilia. Zoralu, LLC is commended
for its preservation of the historic building which fosters community revitalization and economic
development. Accepting the award is Luis and Zorababel Guerrero."
"The Frazier Companies is being presented with a Buildings Award for the rehabilitation of the
Art Deco building at 807 N. Upper Broadway, constructed in 1953, now known as The
Chamberlain. The building historically was known as the Southern Mineral Corporation Building,
and later was the headquarters for HEB. A mixed-use development is planned, featuring
creative industrial spaces and a rooftop event space. The Frazier Companies is commended
for its adaptive reuse of the historic building which fosters community revitalization and economic
development. Unfortunately, the Frazier Companies representative is unable to attend this
evening and will receive their award at our June meeting. "
Chairman Mendez stated: "We are presenting 3 education awards this year to recognize the
importance of educational efforts that promote the preservation of our City of Corpus Christi's
historic landmarks and sites. "
Commissioner Landreth presented Robert Parks and KRIS 6 News:
"Robert Parks and KRIS 6 NEWS are being presented with the Landmark Commission's
Education Award for the Coastal Bend History segments. History columnist, Robert Parks, a
former Mary Carroll High School teacher, authors weekly stories on the history of Corpus Christi
and the Coastal Bend. These segments feature interesting facts about historic homes, buildings,
parks, and people, which are illustrated with historic images. Robert Parks and KRIS 6 NEWS
are commended for this educational program which fosters historic preservation. Accepting the
award is Monica Cha varria, Digital Director, for KRIS 6.'y
Commissioner Wanzer presented Enjoy Corpus Christi Tours, LLC:
"Enjoy Corpus Christi Tours, LLC is being presented with the Landmark Commissions Education
Award for providing a variety of tours that recount the history and culture of Corpus Christi and
South Texas. Enjoy Corpus Christi Tours, LLC has worked with Nueces County Historical
Society; Nueces County Historical Commission, United Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce,
Visit Corpus Christi, and other groups to promote and raise awareness of historic preservation.
Accepting the award are Susan and Rene Trevino of Enjoy Corpus Christi tours. "
Commissioner Pruitt presented Murphy Givens (Education) and Jim Moloney (History Book):
"Murphy Givens is awarded, posthumously, the Landmark Commission's Education Award for
his work as Viewpoints editor of the Corpus Christi Caller -Times. As Viewpoints editor, Murphy
Givens wrote over 750 newspaper columns on Corpus Christi and South Texas History. In
cooperation with Jim Moloney and others, Murphy Givens wrote or edited over a dozen books
about the history of the area. Following his death in 2020., the Givens estate donated all of his
research material to Texas A&M University Corpus Christi. Murphy Givens made a lasting mark
on local history education. Accepting the award is Karen Givens."
"Jim Moloney and Nueces Press are being honored with the Landmark Commission's History
Book Award. Mr Moloney collaborated with Murphy Givens on four books, and as the publisher
at Nueces Press, has published all of Murphy Givens' works on Corpus Christi and Texas. Most
recently Mr. Moloney co-authored the Tarpan Club of Texas and the Genius of E. H. R. Green
with R. K Sawyer. A local businessman and historian, Mr. Moloney is a popular speaker and
presenter on Corpus Christi and South Texas History. Accepting the award is Jim Moloney."
Chairman Mendez stated: "Next we are recognizing the winners of the Landmark Commission's
Historic Preservation Photo Contest in honor of National Preservation Month. Commissioner
Matthew Forrester will present our Historic Preservation Photo Contest awards. "
Commissioner Forrester presented the Historic Preservation Photo Contest Awards:
"During the month of May, the City of Corpus Christi celebrates National Preservation Month
with a Historic Preservation Photo Contest. The City invited photographers of all skill levels to
capture a unique view of the city's "Undiscovered Treasures." Photographs were submitted via
Instagrarn and Facebook with identifying information and the hashtag PreserveCC23. People's
Choice voting of the entries occurred from May 4 through May 10. There are also 3 Staff's
Choice a wards. "
• Iris Rios-Guajardo placed first in the People's Choice voting for a photograph of the former
Guaranty National Bank building
• Bailey Williams placed second in People's Choice for a photograph of the Downtown
Skyline and Third for a photograph of the First Presbyterian Church spires; she also
placed Third in Staff's choice for a photograph of historic homes on the Bluff
• Carlos Tamez-Mendez placed first in Staff's Choice for a photograph of the old Nueces
County Courthouse at night
• Mike Carlisle placed second in Staff's choice for a photograph of the Ebony Recreation
Spot.
Commissioner Forrester stated:
"We would like to thank the contestants who entered 25 photographs in the contest. We
received 2534 engagements on our social media. The photos of the winners and other
selected photos will be displayed during the summer:"
• City Hall: May 25—May 30
• Art Center: June 1 – July 8
• Development Services Department: July 10 – August 3
• Ritz Theater: August 4 – September 2
Commissioner Forrester stated: "We would also like to thank our team from the City of Corpus
Christi Communications Department who were instrumental in developing this contest on
social media. Thank you for helping us to spread the word about Historic Preservation!"
V1. ADJOURNMENT ,There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at
4:54 t".m . i I � f\
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