Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout96-TE-7Pi DATE: April 8, 1996 TO: Historic Landmark Commission FROM: Stephen C. Richardson, Planning Director SUBJECT: Request for approval of an application for a tax exemption for the "Nathan Building" at 336 Orleans FILE: 96-TE-7 STAFF REPORT The Planning Director recommends approval of this request. Benn Bundy has requested a historical tax exemption on the "Nathan Building" located at 336 Orleans. 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 $56,120. The tax exemption applies to the improvements only. Mr. Bundy wishes to renovate the second floor for use as his personal residence. Window frames and existing plywood will be painted on the third and fourth floors. The first floor will be used for retail sales/service activities. In the future, the third and fourth floors will be used for additional apartments. The dollar amount of the improvements that the applicant wishes to make at this time comes to $55,000. The dollar amount of improvements to the building almost equals the current full value of the entire property. At the time of purchase, Mr. Bundy made improvements to the property which included replacing roof flashing at the rear of the elevator shaft to stop a severe water leak and the replacing of roof downspouts and gutters. 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. 336 Orleans is -considered a -contributing building to the National Register District in the downtown area. 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. TAX EXEMPTION APPLICATION Submitted by Bend W. Bundy 336 Orleans (Nathan Building) 1. Legal Description: Lots 12 and 13, Block 19, Calder Addition, City of Beaumont 2. Proof of title (see attached) 3. The subject building contributes to the National Register District. The building is significant because of its age (1906), its architecture (Neo-classical with ltalianate detailing), and because it was originally occupied by one ofBeaumont's founding businessmen, Mr, J.J. Nathan, who ran a successful retail business in this building for many years, starting from its construction in 1906. This building is a fine example of turn of the century "commercial use" architecture and, at four (4) stories, one of the tallest of its time (See attached affidavit). The proposed use of mixed residential/commercial is allowable in the CBD zoning area. 4. Proof that taxes are not delinquent on property (see attached) 5. Final complete set of plans for restoration of rehabilitation (see attached) Note: The enclosed plans detail work to be done on second floor only. Additional work to be done includes painting of existing window frames and plywood on the 3rd and 4th floors with colors to match 2nd floor paint colors. Also, the enclosed plans do not include capital improvements which were made to the property immediately upon purchase, which include replacing roof flashing at rear of elevator shaft to stop severe water leak, and replacing roof downspouts/gutters. 6, Statement of costs for the restoration of rehabilitation work. a. Estimated cost associated with plans for2nd story apartment renovation: $50,000.00 b, Estimated cost associated with painting 3rd and 4th story window frames/plywood: $5,000.00 c. Cost associated with flashing replacement and gutters replacement: $5,000, 00 7. Projection of estimated construction time and predicted completion date: Three months; June 15,1996 S. Members of the commission and city officials are authorized to visit and inspect the property proposed for certification and the records and books of the owner as necessary to certify that the property in question is in substantial need of restoration or rehabilitation. 9. The property is to be used as follows: 1) The first floor of the property will be used for retail sales/service activities. 2) The second floor will be used by the owner for a residence. The third and fourth floors will be used in the future for multi -family apartments. BENN W. BUNDY 336 ORLEANS BEAUMONT, TEXAS 77701 (409) 832-9659 Affidavit I hereby certify that. Paragraph 3 of the attached Application for Tax Exemption explains accurately the historic significance of the structure and that the stricture complies with the requirements of Section 25-58, Article IV -Exemption for Historically Significant Sites. signed: t' Bean W. Bundy Before me, the undersigned authority, on this day personally appeared Benn W. Bundy, known to me to be the person whose name is subscribed to the foregoing instrument. Given under my hand and seal of office this day of March, 1996. Nolrafy Public in and for the State of Texas o� SUSAN N PUBLIC NOTARY PIIBUC F�� y My Comm•ExplrTEXAS s 05 D3-9T 04/01/1996 11:22 409B984108 FOXWORTH REAL ESTATE PAGE 02 5 T i, V AS Cmorge W. $u*ti Gouvnwr IS T O R I C A L Cords l untie • Everutive Moo, 0 M M I S S 10 N 'ire State Agency for HAsteric Resarnation TEXAS URBAN MAIN STREET MEMORANDUM TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN DATE 27 March 1990 RI : 3319 Orleans Street, The Nathan Building, Beaumont, Texas MEMO As the Urban Architect for the Texas Main Street Program, I have spent three years working with historic downtown buildings in Beaumont and the other nine Urban Main Street Cities across Texas. My goal is to give historically appropriate design advice to building and business owners in carder to assist in downtown revitalization. Over the past year I have beoome familiar with the Nathan Building, first as a hypothetical prototype for a downtown apartment building and then later with Ban Bundy as.a real project. First of all, it mast be said that this building is architecturally significant. it is a wonderful of example of a simplified elassloal parti with rusticated base and major order of pilasters above. While it has been inappropriately painted in the past, its major architectural features are intact. There are firs cast iron columns at the windows and at ittc first floor and chiseled limestone detailing is in place at Window sills and headers. The window sashes have been removed but still exist in the building. These can easily be restored and re -installed. Structurally the building is in excellent condition. While it is significant in its awn right, the Nathan Building is also important because it is an integral part of an area of downtown containing a large number of historic buildings -all of which are important to conveying a sense of the rich history of Beaumont. I have abudied this building and have worked with Mr. Bundy on a scheme to rehabilitate it acoording to good preservation standards. These standards are put forth by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior_ For example, when adding new features to the building such as the apartment on the second floor, these features should be compat- ible with the historic architect"re but should be clearly distinguishable as new. The work thus far has achieved this goal. I have consulted on the selection of historically appropriate exterior colors and several other maintenance and organizational issues. It Is my intention to continue to assist in the rehabilitation of this building according to good preservation practice. Sincerely, KEVIN MR STEAD, AIA P. 0. Box 12276 + Austin, 'TX 78711-2276 F 512(463.6100 • Fax 512/4754872 • TDD 1-800-736-2989 z ,p y i 3 "L <— V . s u . 9 Y- s: -3r p� m � F s sir: r i ll ILI Z•i/I �- I y � '9 i FF i E.