HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Landmark Commission - 06/27/2024
MINUTES - REGULAR MEETING
LANDMARK COMMISSION
CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI
CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS - 4:30 pm
1201 LEOPARD STREET
THURSDAY, JUNE 27, 2024
COMMISSIONERS: COMMISSIONERS:
Armando Mendez-ChairmanJeff Mumme
Melissa EspinozaDr. James Pruitt-Vice Chair
Matthew Forrester Elizabeth Riggle
Gordon LandrethMichelle Wanzer
Cheryl McLaughlinVeronica Wilson
Vacancy
STAFF:
Bria Whitmire, Engineer V
Robert Kurtz, Historic Preservation Officer
Ruth Bocchino, Agenda Coordinator
Buck Brice, Deputy City Attorney
I. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL:
Vice Chairman Pruitt called the meeting to order at 4:30 pm and a quorum was established with
Chairman Mendezand Commissioner Espinoza absent.
II. PUBLIC COMMENT:None.
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: May 23, 2024.
A motion was made by Commissioner Landreth toapprove the minutes as presented by staff
and seconded by Commissioner Wilson. The Vote: All Aye. The motion passed.
IV. APPROVAL OF ABSENCES: May 23, 2024: Commissioners Forrester, Riggle, and Montez.
A motion was made by Commissioner Wilson to disapprove the absence of Commissioner
Montez, seconded by Commissioner McLaughlin. The Vote: All Aye. The motion passed.
A motion was made by Commissioner Wilson to approve the absence of Commissioners Riggle
and Forrester, seconded by Commissioner McLaughlin. The Vote: All Aye. The motion passed.
V. 2024 ANNUAL PRESERVATION AWARDS CEREMONY:
Federal Building, 521 N. Starr Street, Thomas J. Henry
Dallas Hotel, 416 Starr Street, Raymond Cignac and Charlie Webb
Education Award, Mary O’Rear
Whataburger Field, HKS Architects, Fred Ortiz (unable to attend)
Vice Chairman Pruittintroduced the award winners for the following:
Commissioner Forrester: 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.
Commissioner Forrester: 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. Accepting the award on
behalf of Mr. Henry is Executive Vice President of Marketing and Public Relations, Ruben
Herrera.
Commissioner Landreth: 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
II 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. Accepting the award is Mary Jo
O’Rear.
VI. DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION TO INITIATE AN HISTORIC OVERLAY ZONING
DESIGNATION AND WAIVER OF FEES:
1. Project Mercury Tracking Station, Bill Witt Park
2. 601 North Water Street, (YC Texas Hotel LLC, owner)
3. 314 Clifford Street, (Karl Schlatter, owner)
Commissioners would like to see more historic overlays on Clifford Street, and also provide more
information to the public about the resources and benefits of an historic overlay. A PowerPoint
presentation and additional details will be provided at the next meeting. Initiating and waiving
fees starts the application process.
A motion was made by Commissioner McLaughlin to approve initiation of the process and waive
the fees, seconded by Commissioner Riggle. The Vote: All Aye. The motion passed.
VII. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS:
Discussion and Consideration to recommend rezoning to City Council.
Heritage Park 40-year anniversary
Clifford Street Historic Overlay
Historic Overlay designation information for the public
Update on the balustrade damage
Cemetery rehabilitation on gravestones and cataloguing of graves
Lexington designation as an Historic Site by Corpus Christi
VIII.ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at
5:05 pm.
Chairman