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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Landmark Commission - 05/23/2024MINUTES - REGULAR MEETING LANDMARK COMMISSION CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS - 4:30 pm 1201 LEOPARD STREET THURSDAY, MAY 23, 2024 COMMISSIONERS: Armando Mendez -Chairman Melissa Espinoza Matthew Forrester Gordon Landreth Cheryl McLaughlin STAFF: Bria Whitmire, Engineer V Robert Kurtz, Historic Preservation Officer Ruth Bocchino, Agenda Coordinator Buck Brice, Deputy City Attorney CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL. COMMISSIONERS: Albert Montez Jeff Mumme Dr. James Pruitt -Vice Chair Elizabeth Riggle Michelle Wanzer Veronica Wilson Chairman Mendez called the meeting to order at 4:33 pm and a quorum was established with Commissioners Forrester, Riggle, and Montez absent. II. PUBLIC COMMENT: None. IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: April 25, 2024. A motion was made by Commissioner Landreth to approve the minutes as presented by staff and seconded by Commissioner McLaughlin. The Vote: All Aye. The motion passed. APPROVAL OF ABSENCES: April 25, 2024: Chairman Mendez, Commissioners Montez and Forrester. A motion was made by Commissioner Wanzer to disapprove the absence of Commissioner Montez, seconded by Commissioner McLaughlin. The Vote: All Aye. The motion passed. A motion was made by Commissioner Wanzer to approve the absence of Chairman Mendez and Commissioner Forrester, seconded by Commissioner McLaughlin. The Vote: All Aye. The motion passed. v. 2024 ANNUAL PRESERVATION AWARDS CEREMONY. Chairman Mendez opened the ceremony and stated: "Good afternoon and welcome to the Landmark Commission Preservation Awards. l am Armando Mendez, Chair of the Corpus Christi Landmark Commission. This year we are presenting 3 building awards." Commissioner Mumme: "Thomas J. Henry is being awarded a Building Award for the continued adaptive reuse of the original Federal Building at 521 North Starr Street. Opened to the public in 1917, the building once housed every federal agency in the city. The Federal Building has been in consistent use until 2001 when the new courthouse was completed. In 2004 Thomas J. Henry purchased the building, and for twenty years has diligently maintained its historic integrity. Thomas J. Henry is commended for the maintenance and preservation of this historic building which fosters community revitalization and economic development. Unfortunately, a representative from the Thomas J. Henry Law firm is unable to attend this evening and will receive the award at our June meeting." Commissioner Mumme stated: "Karl Schlatter is being honored with a Building Award for preserving a residential Tudor building on Clifford Street. The home was originally constructed circa 1926, one year after the plating of the Del Mar subdivision. Mr. Schlatter removed and replaced all the damaged brick on the fagade of the building. The destroyed brick was replaced by brick purchased from the same manufacturer the original brick came from in Denton, Texas. Mr. Schlatter is commended for following the Secretary of Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties during the preservation of the building, inspiring community pride and encouraging its revitalization." Commissioner Wanzer stated: "Gignac Architects and Webb, Cason, & Manning P. C. are being awarded a Building Award for the continued adaptive reuse of the Dallas Hotel Building at 416 Starr Street. The Dallas Hotel has seen many changes over the years. Originally built as the Lyric Theater in 1910, the building has been home to Stella Peck's Restaurant, Biel's Grocery Store, a boarding house, Lyric Flats, the Texas Hotel, various business offices, and finally the Dallas Hotel. Over the years the occupants have maintained the architectural integrity of the building. Gignac Architects and Webb, Cason, & Manning P.C. are commended for their continued diligence in the preservation of the Dallas Hotel, fostering community revitalization and economic development. Accepting the award are co -owners and occupants, Raymond Gignac of Gignac Architects and Charlie Webb of Webb, Cason, & Manning P.C." Chairman Mendez stated: "We are presenting 2 Architect/Organization Awards to recognize those that have encouraged historic preservation throughout their architectural careers and those who merge Corpus Christi's history into their designs. Commissioner Gordon Landreth will present our first Architect Award." Commissioner Landreth stated: "James Rome is being honored with the Landmark Commission's Architect Award for his life-long dedication to preserving the architectural history of Corpus Christi. Jim graduated from UT, Austin with a bachelor's degree in architecture and completed one year in the master's program. He worked for various firms until he partnered; eventually breaking out on his own in 1983. Jim played an active role in local and state boards and committees, including local historic commissions, heritage, and historical societies. Some of his work includes the preservation of the Centennial House, the Blucher House, and the Memorial Classroom Building; as well as several homes in Heritage Park, including the Sudbury and Lichtenstein Homes. With a career spanning decades of tireless work, Jim Rome has been both a conservator and a creator, insisting that our future listens to our past. Accepting the award is Jim Rome." Chairman Mendez stated: "Our next award recognizes a collaboration between architect and organization. It will be presented by Commissioner Cheryl McLaughlin." Commissioner McLaughlin stated: "HKS Architectural Firm and The Hooks Baseball Organization are being honored with the Architecture/Organization Award for their collaboration in the design of Whataburger Field. In 2003, Reid Ryan of Ryan — Sanders Baseball Inc. (the owners of the Hooks at the time), along with architects from HKS, climbed on the roof of one of the cotton warehouses overlooking the canal. The view of the Harbor Bridge and the passing cargo ships inspired them. That location became what we now know as the main entrance to the ballpark. From that moment HKS and The Hooks embarked on a mission to design a baseball field that would not only host thrilling games, but also honor the rich heritage of our community. Paying homage to the 20t"-century warehouse district that once encompassed the site, designers incorporated high ceilings with large timber beams and corrugated steel. Color schemes from the era were used and a large clock representing the street clocks of the period greets fans from above. Flanking both sides of the scoreboard are original cotton press buildings, and it is not uncommon to catch a massive cargo ship passing the field as it enters the port. Although many of the individuals that were involved have moved on from these organizations, both HKS Architects and The Hooks are still going strong. As we present this award, let us remember the architects who envisioned a city that honors its roots and baseball professionals who turned a field of dreams into a field of heritage. Their legacy inspires us to continue preserving our history, one brick, one swing, and one memory at a time." Chairman Mendez stated: "Vice Chair James Pruitt will present our two History Book awards." Vice Chairman Pruitt stated: "Dr. Norman C. Delaney is being honored with the Landmark Commission's Book Award. Dr. Delaney is a noted Civil War and Naval historian who taught at Del Mar College for over forty years before retiring in 2006. He is also a fixture in and unofficial dean of the local historical community which he has served tirelessly as an author and researcher. He has authored several books and articles on the U.S. Civil War, the history of Corpus Christi, and the Naval Air Station Corpus Christi. He received the 2010 Naval History Author of the Year Award from the U.S. Naval Institute. His numerous oral interviews on the Naval Air Station can be found at the Special Collections and Archives section of the Mary and Jeff Bell Library at Texas A&M University, Corpus Christi. In addition, Dr. Delaney continues to serve as an editor on the Narratives for the Texas Historic Commission Markers submitted by the Nueces County Historical Commission. Delaney's commitment to the preservation of Corpus Christi's history is an invaluable asset to the community. Accepting the award for Dr. Delaney is Dr. Mark Robbins." "Mary Jo O'rear is being awarded the Landmark Commission Book Award. O'Rear is a local author, researcher, and retired professor. She has written three works on the history of Corpus Christi that have all been published by Texas A&M University press as part of their Gulf Coast Series. Ms. O'Rear was essential to the development of the World War 11 Heritage Trail and the language for its trail markers. O'Rear's contributions in documenting Corpus Christi's rich cultural heritage foster a sense of identity and continuity that enriches the lives of visitors and those of us who call this coastal city home. Unfortunately, Ms. O'Rear is unable to attend this evening and will receive her award at our June meeting." Chairman Mendez stated: "Commissioner Melissa Espinoza will present our Education Award." Commissioner Espinoza stated: "Kathy Weiner is being recognized with the Education Award from the Landmark Commission for her unwavering dedication to raising public awareness about the history of Corpus Christi and Southern Texas. Kathy Weiner taught American and Texas history for 36 years prior to retiring from the Corpus Christi Independent School District. She has served as the President of the Nueces County Historical Commission and Vice -President of the Nueces County Historical Society. She is highly active in public history and preservation as one of the leads at the Britton -Evans Centennial House Museum and by writing several Texas Historical Commission Markers. Kathy also served on the Ad Hoc Committee working on the World War 11 Herritage Trail. Her continued life-long commitment to preservation and educating the public has made Kathy Weiner a cherished figure in the community, her dedication not only preserving the past but also inspiring current and future generations to value and engage with the history of Corpus Christi and Southern Texas. Accepting the award is Kathy Weiner. " Chairman Mendez stated: "Next we will recognize the winner of the Landmark Commission's Art Contest in honor of National Preservation Month. Commissioner Veronica Wilson presents the award." Commissioner Wilson stated: "During the month of May, the City of Corpus Christi celebrates Preservation Month with a contest. This year was an Art Contest, titled, Imagining McGregor. The city invited artists 18 years of age and older to send in a two-dimensional piece of art. They were to select from a group of photos taken by John Frederick "Doc" McGregor and give their interpretation of that image. This year's Art Contest winner is Natalie Reagh. Her understanding of McGregor's photo exemplified the theme, Imagining McGregor. Your artistic interpretation stood out for its imagination, practical distinction, and emotional depth. This award recognizes your talent and the passion that you bring to your art. We celebrate your achievement and look forward to seeing how your art will inspire and provoke thought. Congratulations on your well - deserved success!" Commissioner Wilson stated: "Thank you to the Communications Department who developed this contest on social media. We would also like to thank the Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History for organizing access and selection of the McGregor Photos. Thank you for helping us spread the word." vi. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 5:04 pm. Chairman