The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About27-HCDate: August 26, 1992 TO: Historical Landmark Commission FROM: Planning Division REQUESTED Request to consider an application for the designation of Historical -Cultural ACTION: Landmark. The property in question is described as the former Sears, Roebuck and Company site at 350 Magnolia Avenue, Lots 5-12, Block 18, Calder Addition to the City of Beaumont, Jefferson County, Texas and Tracts 16-17 of Plat E of the N. Trevis survey. The property is approximately 2.713 acres. *STAFF REPORT* STAFF RECOMMENDATION PROJECT INFORMATION FILE 27-HC ME #27-HC 2 GENERAL INFORMATION/PUBLIC UTILITIES APPLICANT: Gregory A. Austin PROPERTY OWNER: Gregory. A. Austin STATUS OF APPLICANT. X Owner Prospective Buyer. Tenant Other LOCATION'; 350 Magnolia Avenue. LEGAL DESCRIPTION{ Lots 5-12 Block 18, CalderAddition and Tracts .1 -17 of Plat E'of the N. Trevis survey EXISTING ZONING: Central Business :District (CBD) FLOOD HAZ?►RD'ZONE<: X B (Moderate} A' (100 Year). Floodway :SIZE.OF PROPERTY: 2.713 acres.. EXISTING LAND' USES.: > . PubliclGovernmentai .(Federal' Lease)::: SURROUNDING LAND USES: SURROUNDING ONINNG NORTH. Cortfinercial' _ Cetitrat Business: District (CBD) EAST:'` Commercial: CBD SO[ TH Lighi'>Ind ustrW: sm VES`T4:> Cotrimerctal: CBD: is . eoiyrPREl�ty'sty� PLAN,: Conservatfon acid Revitalization .;:.... F LE #27-HC 3 GENERAL INFORMATIONIPUBLIC UTILITIES STREETS: 36" Storm Sewer 15" Storm Sewer 79 Storm Sewer TILE #27-HC 4 ANALYSIS Criteria to be Used in Designation . The Historical Landmark Commission, the Planning Commission, and the City Council shall consider, but not be limited to, one or more of the Following criteria in establishing an H-C, ME #27-1FIC 5 ANALYSIS continued FILE #27-HC 6 ANALYSIS continued The applicant. further states the subject property basement displays "...advancement and demonstration of civil engineering in the construction of'the ' basement...." The supposed advancement merely involves "sheer. weight of reinforcing and cement," Again, according to staff, "sheer weight" does not constitute advancement in civil engineering more than it does'. . abundance of cement. The applicant's second argument' i.s Mwed In than the she's architectural contribution to the nearby historic district is through the construction of a contemporary, non -authentic facade Aot an historic correlation. it is important to note.however, that the site in question is sympathelic in design character; It should also be noted that the site has been renovated very well; but the major modifications negate the historic' elements of the structure. The basic architectural style has been greatly. 'changed as a'result of the'niodifications from Con temporary' Classic to Roman or Neo-Classical FinaIly the applicant's third'"argument of land use consistency is irrelevant Historic'value can .only lie'' attributed' to land` uses similar or identical` to those originally: used by the '4nvolved structure or district!.. LEGAL DESCRUMON FOR ORDINANCE PURPOSES Lot Block'l8; Caider'Addition and Tracts 16 17 bf Plat E of tt e N Trevis survey PUBLIC NOTIFICATION Notiees`Mailed tis o Property'Ownerst' : 16 Responses in favor ., <Respanses in'Opposition 9 1 10 1} 12113 14 1 15 18 FIRE 27—HC: Request for an H—C overlay designation on }property NORTH located of 350 Magnolia Ave.(Former Sears, Roebuck). - APPLICANT: Beaumont Realty, Inc., G.A. Austin, President represented SCALE by Dave Cabeli. 1 200 ST6 s 4 3 z 1 e 9 0 0 0 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 w tt CALDER AVE. Q a 7 1 6 5 4 3 2 1 J ED 0 Q 9 to t1 12 13 14 15 16 � 8 7 s 5 20 ,8 19 22 24 26 29 29 21 23 CHURCH 9 10 11 12 BROADWAY ixi'm'1111 oi�um� LIBERTY AVE. WIESS PARK LAUREL AVE, e 7 6 5 4 3 3 d C� S RACl SEAR S R��BVGK a� Sn��wER� 9 41 10 6 15 I Exhibit A 6 C. HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF STRUCTURE The historical significance of the structure results from the advancement and demonstration of civil engineering displayed in the construction of the basement and its architectural contribution to the historical district. The Beaumont Enterprise of March 16, 1949 stated: (See Exhibit Al) This is one of the few buildings in the Southern coastal area of the United States where a basement, lying immediately atop tidewater has been successfully constructed. The Sears basement is said by engineers to be waterproof from every angle.... In Beaumont, when the basement was dug, the tide could be seen rising and falling in the excavations for footings in the sub -basement. All has been sealed off with a thick slab of concrete, and the tidewater is held back by sheer weight of reinforcing and cement. The building adjoins the current boundary line of the historical district. Furthermore, the current neo colonial design supports and contributes to the colonial architectural design of the First Baptist Church and the Jack Brooks Federal Building which are included in the historical cultural landmark preservation district. Also, the building has long term leases with federal C government agencies. Lxhibi t B. Subject Property u A.49 OME <: A-aicy; V —A-67 1 AA-48 — - N�elmolx_Ixxllva@lrfr. --- —" A 6 A-d5 1`► 410 iWl�.all iall eas w.-III mmm+ r�i� L� F AP- - �li 0 eo►u_ 1' + �� f• Qa • . %, w.; 11 .ow it o CENTF� L auslNL s DISTF�ICT 04b of 9faameae. Texas /Iaeelrf 04.41e8 lgle■Nr 4991 A 00 Q o i I D. •EAYMOMT COMMERCIAL HISTORICAL DISTRICT ■+ram. Cowudft a do mw m @amr comewme to " mm" " wM�s o9�9r9wr � w orrrn s•� wom "==we wrMluy mmo« L"Gam SOMM ft% K" OW MWM ad MMwmMI NwNW:e919tY, wAKK laawnem- <Exhibit C, Page 1 BEAUMONT REALTY INC. - 700 Calder, Suite 102 Beaumont, Texas 77701 Telephone (409) 833-4777 July 24, 1992 Kirt Anderson Planning Director City Hall Room 240 801 Main Street Beaumont, TX 77704 Re: Application for amendment of the zoning ordinance Dear Mr. Anderson, ihe property at 350 Magnolia Avenue is submitted for approval as a historical - cultural designation. This property meets the criteria of a unique engineering or architectural design and is similar in apearance and use to the adjoining Jack Brooks Federal Building. The first criteria is the embodiment of elements of architectural design, detail, materials or craftsmanship which represent a significant architectural innovation. This is one of the few buildings in the southern coastal area of the United States where a basement lying immediately atop tidewater has been successfully •onstructed. �n additional criteria is the relationship to other buildings, structures or places which are eligible for preservation as historical places. This building adjoins the Jack Brooks Federal Building and has long term leases with the U.S. Attorney's Office. If you need any additional information, please call Dave Cabell at (409) 898-0575. Sincerely, 4��J A �- A 6 -- GregoryAustin, President Beaumont Realty