HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Landmark Commission - 06/22/2023MINUTES - REGULAR MEETING
LANDMARK COMMISSION
CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI
CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS - 4:30 pm
1201 LEOPARD STREET
THURSDAY, JUNE 22, 2023
COMMISSIONERS:
Armando Mendez -Chairman
Wade Williams -Vice Chairman
Matthew Forrester
Gordon Landreth
Albert Montez
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: 4:30 pm.
COMMISSIONERS:
Jeff Mumme
Dr. James Pruitt
Elizabeth Riggle
Michelle Wanzer
Veronica Wilson
Vacancy
The meeting was called to order and a quorum was established. Commissioner Brown resigned
from the Landmark Commission; Commissioner Wilson was absent.
n. PUBLIC COMMENT: None.
m. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: May 25, 2023.
A motion was made by Commissioner Williams to approve the minutes, seconded by
Commissioner Wanzer. The Vote: All Aye. The motion passed.
iv. APPROVAL OF ABSENCES: 5/25/23: Commissioners Brown, Montez, and Riggle.
A motion was made by Commissioner Wanzer to approve the absences, seconded by
Commissioner Williams. The Vote: All Aye. The motion passed.
v. 2023 ANNUAL PRESERVATION AWARDS CEREMONY.
Presentation to Frazier Companies
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, andgeneral welfare of
the people and visitors to Corpus Christi. We also will be recognizing our Historic Preservation.
Photo Contest winners this afternoon. "
Vice Chairman Williams stated: "`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. Accepting the award is Lynn Frazier."
V1. PRESENTATION: Update on restoration efforts for the Ritz Theater: Cheryl Votzmeyer-Rios
Ms. Rios, Executive Director of CCPATCH, Corpus Christi PATCH (Positive Action Toward
Cultural Heritage), Inc. is committed to developing, fostering, and promoting the arts as valuable
experiences central to the vitality of the community by restoring and developing The Ritz Theatre
into a state-of-the-art entertainment and education venue of the highest quality. Ms. Cheryl
Votzmeyer-Rios gave a history of the Ritz Theatre including photos, history of the past
performers, and preliminary plans for restoration including OTJ Architects as the lead architect,
fundraising, weatherproofing and master planning. Restoration of the Ritz Theatre will bring 177
full time jobs, local government revenue, and increased property values.
V11. HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICER REPORT: Robert Kurtz.
• Morningside Historic Resources Survey (in-house)
• CAMP Training, San Marcos
• Upper West Side Historic Resources survey
Mr. Kurtz discussed that postcards have been sent to the Morningside neighborhood letting
residents know he will be touring the neighborhoods speaking to residents to complete the
survey, focusing mostly on the facades. With the help of the GIS team, we are putting together
a site using the Texas Historical Survey Commission worksheet. There used to be a fountain in
the area, and possibly servants' quarters in the back.
On June 12, Mr. Kurtz went to San Marcos for Certified Local Government training regarding
TXDOT practices and Section 106 which pertains to anything that the state is working on; usually
roads that impact federally funded building or even grants, it has to go through the Section 106
process. A tour of downtown provided insight to some of the buildings and things to be aware
of. A link was sent to commissioners for online training from this program.
Proposals are due 6/29 for the Upper West Side Historic Resource Survey. A meeting was held
with contractors. We are interviewing between July 10-14. On July 20, recommendations and
selections will be made and we should have a contractor by August 1.
A commissioner asked about Morningside cross streets. Mr. Kurtz responded Longveiw,
Grazebrook, Sante Fe, and North Morningside. The corner of North and South Morningside.
viii. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS:
-Scheduling a tour of the Ritz Theatre.
-Is there a historic component with the parks; northside neighborhoods design for parks; we will
ask the park department to provide a report.
ix. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to discuss, thI e'tin''g was adjourned at
5:08 pm.
Chairh ar`i