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Director's Report A. Action Items. 1. Pete Verna has submitted a proposal to make use of the historic mural which the Commission obtained some years ago from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. Verna has committed to restore and display the mural in a development he plans to undertake on the block bounded by East Fourth St., East Third St., S. Brevard St., and S. Caldwell St. Staff invited anyone interested in the mural to view it and to submit a proposal for its use. Staff Recommendation: Approve an agreement with Pete Verna to allow his company to acquire, restore, and display the historic mural in the project Verna intends to develop in the block described above. Specific language will be devised by Attorney Patricia Nystrom. 2. A public hearing is scheduled for November 14th to consider designation of four prospective historic landmarks by the Davidson Town Board. The Division of Archives and History has submitted comment letters which ask questions about the prospective designations. Staff has reviewed the letters and has prepared responses. The four properties are: a. The Holt Henderson Copeland House. b. Restormel. c. The Armour Adams House. d. The Cashion and Moore Family Cemetery. Established procedures of the Commission require that Staff resubmit prospective historic landmark recommendations to the Commission when the letter from Archives and History is not favorable or raises questions. Staff Recommendation: Affirm the vote to recommend to the Davidson Town Board that the four subject properties be designated as historic landmarks. 3. Pat Nystrom informs me that Herb Browne has requested another extension on the examination period of the Wearn House. She has requested that the Commission approve the following motion.
----------------moves that the commission extend the examination period for the Wearn House until December 31, 2006 under the contract for the Wearn House and to agree to close this transaction with a deed executed by Bank of America, as trustee, provided it receives a title insurance policy protecting its interests the claims of any beneficiaries under the trust or Will of the prior owner. Staff Recommendation: Approve the motion. B. Information Items. 1. There have been several developments with respect to revolving fund projects. a. The closing on White Oak Plantation has occurred, and the tenants are living on the property. Josh Purser, a realtor who previously listed the property, will be preparing a market analysis of the area by December 1st. Thereafter, the Commission will have to develop design parameters for the eventual development of the property. b. The tenant is now living in the rental house on the Rozzel House property. This has happily put a stop to vandalism. Staff has received inquiries from a potential buyer. We will keep you advised. c. Robert Schmitt has begun work on the N. S. Alexander House. The owner did offer to sell some furniture in the house; but Staff, upon conferring with the Chairman of the Projects Committee, advised the owner that we would not be buying the furniture.
Click here for more photographs d. Robert Schmitt will be moving ahead with placing coverings on the windows at Grace A.M.E. Zion Church and doing roof repairs. Pete Verna and others continue to express interest in purchasing Grace A.M.E. Zion Church. We will keep you advised. e. A potential buyer for the Sidney and Ethel Grier House has surfaced. Robert Schmitt will be making improvements to the house in the near future. It is possible that the buyer will want to make the improvements instead. We will keep you advised. f. Bryan Turner and Pat Nystrom have been working diligently to finalize arrangements for the sale of the remaining portions of the Charlotte Cotton Mills. g. The sale of the Oehler House is scheduled for December. I have asked Bryan Turner to obtain precise information as to the arrangement that exists with the County regarding the Commission's purchase of the land at the house. h. There have been no viable offers presented for the Grand Theater. 2. As disclosed to you earlier by email, Staff, unless directed otherwise and unless there is reason to believe the property is imminently endangered, will hereafter have comment letters from the Division of Archives and History in hand before bringing Survey and Research Reports to the Survey Committee and to the Commission. 3. Staff is reviewing Survey and Research Reports on the Myrtle Apartments and the Wing Haven Gardens. These will be submitted to the Division of Archives and History for comment once Staff approves them. 4. Staff will soon complete Survey and Research Reports on the Monroe Road Pure Oil Station and the Central Avenue Pure Oil Station. The reports will be submitted to the Division of Archives and History for review. 5. Staff talked with the City about the prospect of the Commission's becoming involved with development at the former Johnston Mill and Mecklenburg Mill in North Charlotte. At some point these projects will come before the Commission for design review. 6. It appears that the County will be moving ahead with the new baseball stadium in center city Charlotte. If so, the Virginia Paper Company Building will be destroyed. 7. Staff received word that the Baringer Hotel Building in center city Charlotte will be demolished to make way for a new development.
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