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HomeMy WebLinkAbout3-9-92 HLC MinutesThe March 9, 1992 Meeting of the Historical Landmark Commission was called to order by Chairman Bessie Chisum. The following Commissioners were present: Commissioner Milton Bell Commissioner Raymond Chaison Commissioner Joseph Deshotel Commissioner M.L. Lefler, Jr. Commissioner Sam Pullig Commissioner Walter Sutton Commissioner Charles Walker Commissioner Lary Warton The following Commissioners were absent: Commissioner Mary Jane Buttrill, excused Commissioner Jessica Foy, excused Commissioner Bruce Hamilton, excused Staff present: Kirt Anderson, Planning Director, Sharma Etie, Recording Secretary. Also present: Councilman Andrew Cokinos, Carolyn Howard, Main Street Director, Dr. Patrick Harrigan, Associate Professor of Communication, Lamar University. APPROVAL OF THE MIIdUTFS Commissioner Lefler made a motion to approve the minutes of the February 10, 1992 meeting. Approval of the minutes seconded by Commissioner Bell. Motion carried 7:0. (Arrival of Commissioner Chaison) REGULAR MEETING A) Chairman's Re rt: Carolyn Howard, Main Street Director, reported to the Commissioners about Main Street Day. It will be held Thursday afternoon, March 26, at the Quality Cafe at 4:45 MITT nEs Landmark Commission Meeting March 9, 1992 p.m, in downtown Beaumont. The group will then move to the Crockett -Laurel Street connector for a ceremony. The reason the ceremony will be held at the Quality Cafe/Kyle Plaza, near the historic Star Building, is because the buildings are going to see some great design improvements. The City parking lot in front of the buildings has been completely redone by the City, and the adjacent "Green Area" [night be adopted by the Rotary Club of Beaumont. Beaumont has been selected as a United States Main Street Community, which is a downtown revitalization program found in small towns across our country. This is a big honor for Southeast Texas. Chairman Chisum made note of the fact that Anice Reed, Texas Historic Commission, will be present at the ceremony, therefore, it is important that the Landmark Commission attend. It is important because Anice Reed is Ms. Historic Preservation" in Texas. She helped Beaumont become a Main Street City. The Certified Local Government, which sends us $$$$$$$ repeatedly every year is part of this group. Carolyn Howard received figures at Main Street training in January, and out of all of the Main Street Towns in Texas, about 40 active towns, Beaumont is by far receiving more certified local government funds than any other town. Carolyn also points out the list of downtown museums/art groups located in Beaumont, and doesn't know of any other downtown areas that have the influx of art groups and museums. The downtown museums/art groups will be participating in a small design improvement during the ceremony. Carolyn asks that all of the Landmark Commissioners attend. A last note, the old Santa Fe depot located downtown has been purchased and work is being done on it at this time. B) Committee Reports: Marker Committee: No report. Marketing Committee: No report. Conference Committee: Commissioner Pullig reported on the results of a meeting that took place about three weeks ago to assign tasks and get ready for the proposed conference this fall focusing on neighborhood preservation through affordable housing. A tentative date has been set for late September. Work has started on a proposed agenda and a presentation will be ready next month. Commissioner Chaison has started working on a mailing list. It is anticipated that an initial mailing will be done in June or July. A firm mailing list asking for reservations and commitments on lunch will be completed the first part of August. This will give an idea as to the size of the conference. It will tentatively be held at the Julie Rogers, depending on the size and might be moved to the Civic Center. Commissioner Pullig has spoken with several members of the Landmark Commission and City Council, and there will be a lot of visual displays of Beaumont, old photographs of neighborhoods, and a presentation on the old 'ra Mites Landmark Commission Meeting March 9, 1992 neighborhoods in Beaumont. Commissioner Pullig asks Dr. Patrick Harrigan, who is originally from New Orleans, to give a presentation at this time on the old neighborhoods in Beaumont and how they were formed through additions. Dr. Harrigan has done a lot of research on the old neighborhoods in Beaumont, his original presentation was up until about 1900, with raw data subsequent to that. Dr. Harrigan gave a short presentation on how Beaumont began from a neighborhood standpoint and grew through additions. This will be the focus at the conference. (Arrival of Commissioner Warton) Education Committee: No report. Bylaws Committee: No report. Catalog Committee: Letters for summer interns to work on the SPARE Beaumont Survey and the National Register nominations were sent out to several different schools. As last year, the Catalog Committee wilt basically oversee the work of the interns. As part �. of the process, Jessica Foy and Dr. Sutton will continue as a contact point for the students while they are here. Building Committee: The National Register Nomination is still in progress, hopefully Michele will send us some additional information and updates to the nomination. Commissioner Sutton informed the Commission that the Beaumont History Conference will be held again tentatively next January. A meeting is scheduled later this month. Commissioner Sutton has agreed to continue as delegate to the Beaumont History Conference and represent the Beaumont Historical Landmark Commission. C) Santa Anna Townsite Marker: The Jefferson County Historical Commission is submitting an application for a subject marker on the Santa Anna Townsite to the Texas Historical Commission. The marker is located in the general area of Carroll Street Park. The County Commission is requesting that the marker be allowed to be placed within the park, near the northwest corner of Carroll Street and Grant Street. f 3 Mpflyrpls Landmark Commission Meeling March 9, 1992 This is the Christopher Columbus 500th celebration activity for the Jefferson County Historical Commission. As an historical entity, they need permission from the Landmark Commission to place the historical marker within the Carroll Street Park. The marker will be paid for by the county. Research on the marker has already been completed. The county is waiting for a vote from the Landmark Commission and a signature from the chairman of.the Park and Recreation Committee. Commissioner Lefler made a motion to approve the location of the historical marker within the Carroll Street Park and accept the County Commission's request. Commissioner Walker seconded the motion. Motion carried 9:0. D) Old Colle a Street Fire Station Rehabilitation Review. The Community Development Department of the City of Beaumont with Community Development Block Grant funds is proposing to do some work on the Emergency Shelter at 875 College Street. The proposed improvements include minor interior repairs and no exterior work. It is the staffs' opinion that the work will have no impact on the historical value of the structure. Commissioner Deshotel made a motion to accept staff recommendation on proposed improvements to the old College Street Fire Station. Commissioner Pullig seconded the motion. Motion carried 9:0. The Texas Historical Commission's 1992 statewide Annual Preservation Conference will be held in Houston on April 23 through April 26, 1992. The theme of the conference will be "Exploration: Columbus to CoIumbia," capturing the anniversary of Columbus' encounter with the New World. Kin Anderson commented on the Santa Anna Townsite Marker concerning the fact that the Jefferson County Historical Commission has asked that the Landmark Commission take on the responsibility of arranging the ceremony. Chairman Chisum will be getting with the Mayor, who has formed the Columbus 500th Commission. That commission may be the entity to handle the ceremony and installation of the historical marker. The Landmark Commission may be responsible for arranging the ceremony, but it may come under the Beaumont Columbus 500th Commission. Chairman Chisum will let the Commissioners know what the Commission will be responsible for concerning the marker. There being no further business the meeting was adjourned.