Action Items.

1. Staff recommends that the HLC prepare a National Register of Historic Places Application for the Charles E. Barnhardt House. The money to pay for the report would come from the Due Diligence Money set aside for HLC Projects. Staff believes that the tax credits would assist in marketing the house.  This matter must be considered in closed session.

 

Information Items.

1. Torrence Lytle School. Michael Sullivan, realtor, has listed the property for sale. The listing contract is for six months.

2. Charles E. Barnhardt House. The Commission has closed on the property. Peter Wasmer, Project Manager, is securing the necessary bids to begin the refurbishment of the house and the grounds. Preservation North Carolina will bring volunteers to help with cleanup of the interior of the house. Eric Gamble, realtor, is working with Staff on promotional materials for the sale of the house. The Charlotte Observer recently published an article on the Commission’s acquisition of the property.

 

 

 

3. Edward Rozzel Farm. The prospective buyer is scheduled to close on the property on December 19th. The Commission did provide a credit on the purchase because of estimated repairs of the historic house.

4. James C. Dowd House and Former Charlotte Fire Station Number Ten. Staff met with County officials and a prospective buyer to discuss arrangements for the possible conveyance of the properties to the HLC. The HLC would sell the properties to the prospective buyer. The prospective buyer is performing due diligence. Staff is meeting with the prospective buyer to discuss design review issues.

5. The William and Nell Freeman House, Matthews, N.C. Staff has completed the Survey and Research Report on the property and will bring it to the Commission at its January Meeting. The Historic Preservation Advisory Committee of Matthews met with Staff to review the report. The Committee supports historic landmark designation of the property and will be working with the owner, Matthews Presbyterian Church, to devise a preservation strategy for the property.

6. Charlotte Fire Station Number Eight and Cornelius School Agricultural Building. Staff will be preparing Survey and Research Reports on the two properties in the upcoming months. One report, and perhaps both, will be presented to the Survey Committee at its January meeting.

7. Walnut Avenue Project. Staff continues to await the rezoning decision on the two properties on Walnut Avenue in the Wesley Heights Historic District. The Drakeford Company continues to have an interest in having the Commission purchase the two historic homes on the property. If it secures approval for the rezoning, the Drakeford Company will resume negotiations with the HLC.

8. Certified Local Government Report. Staff has prepared the annual report required for its participation in the Certified Local Government Program.

9. Revolving Fund Video. Bruce Bowers and I spent a day interviewing individuals and filming HLC projects. Work on the video continues.

10.  Morgan School.  500 South Torrence Street, Charlotte.  There have been no new developments regarding the Morgan School.  The HLC’s offer to purchase the property has still not been submitted to the Board of Education.  Staff has prepared a brief video on the status of the property.

Respectfully submitted,

Dr. Dan L. Morrill, Consulting Director