1. The closing on
the W. T. Alexander Plantation should occur in the very near future.
There are several issues that the seller still needs to address.
First, Cambridge Properties did not include an access easement in the
contract it signed with the new owners of the property to the
immediate west of the land the Commission will buy. Cambridge
Properties says that it simply overlooked this detail. Second, the
adjoining property protrudes slightly into the grassy area on the
northern edge of the W. T. Alexander Plantation. I have instructed
Patricia Nystrom to seek a conservation easement or to determine how
much it would cost for the Commission to buy a small segment of
property on the northern edge of the property. The inclusion of this
land would fulfill the Commission's desire to protect the visual
character of the W. T. Alexander Plantation.
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2. There are yet
to be any offers on the Croft Schoolhouse. The project is finished. I
have been disappointed with the amount of exposure Roper Land Company
provided for the property.
3. The
Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Department has approached me
about the Commission's cooperating on the purchase of the Davis Farm
on Hucks Road. This might be an excellent new site for the McAuley
House. The Commission will be receiving the donation of this house in
the very near future.
4. Pappas
Properties has informed me that it will be interested in proceeding
with the preservation of the Charlotte Cotton Mills even if the
Federal Tax Credits will not be available if one-third of the building
is demolished. I did talk with Archives and History, and they do
believe the building would most likely qualify for listing in the
National Register of Historic Places. In my opinion, if the Commission
does not participate in this project, Pappas Properties will not
exercise its option to purchase the building -- which would most
likely lead to its eventual demolition.
5. I met with
members of the Board of Historic Charlotte, Inc. about the possibility
of that organization's serving as a vehicle for assuring tax
deductibility of donations of property made in connection with HLC
projects. Tony Pressley, President of Historic Charlotte, stated that
he would recommend to his board that Historic Charlotte do this in two
instances at no cost other than reimbursement for expenses but that
thereafter the nature of the arrangement be reviewed. In my judgment,
despite Historic Charlotte's generous offer, it would be wise for the
Commission to move forward with the creation of its own not-for-profit
affiliate that would only exist to receive donations of property on
behalf of the HLC. Regardless, the HLC will have to have such an
institution available for its use.
6. The operating
budget for the HLC seems to be headed for approval. It does contain
money to provide clerical staff assistance for design review and
processing properties for historic landmark designation. The
betterment to match the grant to conduct a survey of early 20th
century industrial and institutional architecture seems somewhat
problematic. If the betterment is not approved, the Commission will
have to find other funds to match the grant. If none is found, the
grant will have to be returned.
7. The
Preservation Workshop is scheduled for June 16th. Special
thanks to the Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Department for
waiving the fee for the assembly building at the William R. Davie
Park.
8. I still have
no word with respect to the status of the Palmer Fire School.
9. The
owners of the Gluyas House are moving ahead with restoration.
The Gluyas House and grounds were designated as a historic landmark by
the Board of County Commissioners on June 6th. The National
Register Advisory Committee will consider the house for National
Register listing.
