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HomeMy WebLinkAbout96-TE-8DATE: June 10, 1996 TO: Historic Landmark Commission FROM: Stephen C. Richardson, Planning Director SUBJECT: Request for approval of an application for a tax exemption for the "Fertitta Building" located at 615-635 Park FILE: 96-TE-8 STAFF REPORT The Planning Director recommends approval of this request. Greg Saleme, president of Gulf Sierra Enterprises, Inc., has requested a historical tax exemption on the "Fertitta Building" located at 615-635 Park. A historical tax exemption is for a term of ten years and holds the existing taxable value of the structure at its present value. The property is currently appraised at $53,640. The tax exemption applies to the improvements only. Mr. Saleme wishes to renovate this building as well as "The Zone" and the San Augustine Building. The exteriors on all three of these buildings will meet with the approval of the Texas Historical Commission. The proposed use of the Fertitta Building, once fully renovated, will be a restaurant and barbershop. The dollar amount of the improvements that the applicant wishes to make comes to $76,000. The dollar amount of the improvements to the building exceeds the appraised full value of the property. At the Historic Landmark Commission meeting of April 8 and the City Council meeting of April 23, Mr. Saleme requested and received an HC-L designation and a historic preservation loan for this property. The Planning Director recommends approval based upon the evidence presented within the application complying with Article IV of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Beaumont. If this application is approved by the Historic Landmark Commission and City Council, the proposed rehabilitation or restoration must be completed and verified by the Historic Landmark Commission. May 20, 1996 Mr. Steve Richardson, AICP Director of Planning City of Beaumont P.O. Box 3827 Beaumont, Tx 77704 Re: Historic Structure Preservation Tax Exemption for the Fertitta Building Dear Steve: I, Gregory M. Saleme, president of Gulf Sierra Enterprises, am respectfully requesting an historic structure preservation tax exemption adhering to the criteria required under Section 25- 59. A. The Fertitta Building is a late example of a vernacular adaptation of the Art Moderne style. It was built circa de 1940. A one-story building, it exhibits glazed the pilasters between plate glass display windows, and display window transoms (which are currently boarded). The wood and glass door is off -set with a one -light transom. Beneath the streamlined plaster -covered parapet hangs an aluminum awning. The sign, "Fertitta Building, " is done in metal Art Modeme letters above the parapet. B. Please see Appendix A for Deeds of Trust and Warranty Deeds. C. On April 23, t996, at the Regular Session of the City Council of Beaumont, Agenda items #6 and #7 pertaining to the historic preservation loan for rehabilitation and the Historical -Cultural Landmark Preservation designation for the Fertitta Building was unanimously passed. D. Please see Appendix B for the Tax Certificate. E. Please see Appendix C for the set of plans for rehabilitation. F. Please see Appendix D for an estimate of the rehabilitation work. G. After the necessary steps are completed to receive a tax exemption, work could begin immediately. Dates of completion would be approximately six (6) months after the required start date. H. I, Gregory M. Saleme, do hereby authorize all members of the Commission and City Council to visit and inspect the Fertitta Building. I also authorize the access to all records necessary to 1 establish a substantial necessity for rehabilitation. I. The Fertitta Building will be converted into two entities; 1) a resturant, and 2) a barber shop. The first will be a bar and grill named, "The Judges Chamber." It will offer fresh and healthy entrees catering to the executive market during the week, breakfasts and brunches for the night life on the weekend, and family dinner specials on Sundays. It will be a focal point of dining for all aspects of the community. The second will be an old-time barber shop staffed with one barber, a stylist, a manicurist, and a shoe shine. It will be a convenient location for those downtown to groom at their convenience. J. The Fertitta Building is adjacent to the most concentrated employment center in downtown. The Petroleum Building occupies over 600 employees, and the connecting Texas Commerce Building has close to 300. Improvements made to such a highly visible comer amidst the pulse of downtown economic activity will inspire future development of such surrounding properties as the Dallas Williams Building and the San Augustine Building. The Fertitta Building is also located directly across Park Street from the second largest All -Right Parking facility located downtown, insuring the parking accommodation mandated by a restaurant venue. Because of the Fertitta Building's proximity to Beaumonfs National Register District, its value cannot be underestimated. Representing the spirit of the pioneering Fertitta family, this building can once again add spice to downtown. Its easy. access to freeways and other major traffic arteries provide an excellent link between the present and the past. Economically, it will generate new business, increasing the employment center of downtown. Aesthetically and socially, the improvements to the corner will herald the success of Beaumont past and make the future a more positive environment for commerce, trade, and tourism. It is of Gulf Sierra Enterprises' intention to rejuvenate economic, social, and aesthetic activity in downtown Beaumont. Already receiving support from the Historical Landmark Commission, the local chapter of Main Street, and the City Council of Beaumont, this final request for a tax exemption will enable Gulf Sierra Enterprises to forge ahead into the prosperous future of downtown Beaumont, bringing to the present the regalia of the vivid past. Thank you for your time and consideration in this matter. Sincerely, G M. Saleme President GMS:pa Enclosures 2 TEXAS URBAN MAIN STREET A Department of the Texas Historical Commission, P.O. Box 12276, Austin, TX 78722, 612.463.6092 BUILDING RECOMMENDATIONS CITY Beaumont DATE 30 August 1995 BUILDING 601 Park RECOMMMDATIONS In general this building is in good shape on the exterior (we were not able to see the interior). The file an the face of the building is in most areas in good condition and should be repaired where necessary. Areas of missing file can be filled with stucco and painted to match the adjacent tile whether it is the peach color or black or burgundy. For the most part, the building needs general maintenance. On our next trip we will be happy to inspect the interior and offer advice on this area. The following recommendations are keyed to the enclosed drawing. 1. Paint wall area above the canopy with peach color that matches the lower tile. 2. Paint the top and bottom °stripe" in burgundy color that matches the tile below. 3. Paint the center "stripe" black 4. Repair the existing canopy as necessary. 5. At areas above existing windows -determine from the inside of the building. whether any areas of glass still exist in these locations. If upper windows do exist, remove the existing metal panels from the exterior and restore windows and frames as necessary. If no windows exist, then leave the metal panels in place and paint them black or dark grey. 6. Install signs over existing metal panels where signs are necessary. Signs for different stores should be designed to be of compatible colors although some differences Would be advisable to make distinctions between stores. Owner should retairi final approval of all new store signage so that no excessively large or ugly signs are installed by tenants. Consider using the same style of letters as the °Fertilla Building' sign for these new signs. 7. In all places possible. remove walls at display windows and open up stores to the street. This could be done after the space is leased to meet the needs of the particular client However, it would be advisable to remove at least one now. so that potential tenants can visualize the space with more light. 8. The existing 'Fertilla Building" sign should remain and should be painted in the burgundy color. A very sophisticated touch for the new stores would be to have new signs made to match this historic sign--ie: with the same style of metal letters mounted on top of the parapet wall. The new signs should be made slightly larger than the existing one and should also be lit by lights mounted on the canopy below which would be aimed up at the new signs. This could be especially effective at the curved comer. S. Remove the metal panels at the former "Fuzzgun' Take care not to damage the material behind the panels. 10. There seem to be an excessive number of supports at the canopy. When necessary repairs are being made to the canopy, have the repairman determine if some of these supports could be removed with no ill effects. It would be preferable to remove every other support so that there are half as many In the end. This would give a less cluttered look to the exterior. (This is not an essential item) QUOTATION r'FRO M 67p OMEA rs Pr wt PEX: -TTIE ��rrFMNCE .1. Mmfu .. C04waaac 1-409-832-2159 1-409-832-2166 FAX �To Greg Saleme 1615 Linnsway Beaumont, Texas 77706 WE ARE PLEASED TO QUOTE ON YOUR INQUIRY AS FOLLOWS: INQUIRY NO. DATE March 22 1996 TERMS DELIVERY PRICES QUOTED ARE F.O.B.: QUANTITY DESCRIPTION RE: Fertitta Bldg. 615 -- 635 Park Beaumont, Texas Estimated Bid only; Construction and restoration of inside and outside facade, windows,,doo s and awnings Seventy Six Thousand -Dollars ( $ 76,000.00 ) r Thank You PRICE I AMOUNT QUOTED BY: 1 1 1 1 1 1 i t 1 1 a L iL• \AS - ---- TEXAS HISTORICAL COMMISSION BUILDING: - •r t i AI'+= CITY: (t niJrt , 8 DRAWN BY: M1L-:TEAQ ° Preliminary Not For Construction I'Y - DATE: T`l 4, i:. � 0 J.29N] LS 5 �n� I1' Isil v a uoponalmoD ao; ION - �suizat�aaa N l t+ W Ob�l�IW :Ag M&W(JIUMMUlu 'yNoW�►w7� :�.I,ID --�WI lc J OI�iIQ"IIrIg NOISSIMOD 'IVDIHOSSIH SWffJ, '