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PROJECTS COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES April 7, 2003
Location: 2100 Randolph Road, Charlotte, NC Time: 6:00 p.m. - 8:10 p.m. Present: John Parker, Committee Chairman Tattie Bos, Committee Vice-Chairman Deborah Cox John Geer Yolanda Johnson-Gess Joe Kluttz Valerie Lewis John Misenheimer, HLC Vice-Chairman Len Norman Dan Morrill, HLC Consulting Director Bryan Turner, HLC Projects Manager Mary Lynn Morrill, HLC Recording Consultant Absent: Caroline Beacham Visitors: Bob Silverman, Winter Properties (Highland Mill) David Burt, Winter Properties (Highland Miller) Ellen Rogers, Bank of America (Highland Mill) Paul McBroom, NODA neighborhood representative (Highland Mill) Miller Jordan, Charlotte Trolley David Murdock, Copeland Architects (Grier House)
Mr. Parker welcomed everyone to the meeting. The next Projects Committee meeting is scheduled for May 5, 2003, at 6:00 p.m. 1. Consulting Director’s Report: Dr. Morrill reported that a contract has been signed for the sale of the Croft Schoolhouse. 2. Trolley Barn Update: Dr. Morrill reported that on April 15, 2003, the Board of County Commissioners will reconsider purchasing the building for the trolleys. 3. Streetcar #85: Dr. Morrill explained the details of the situation to the committee. Mr. Miller Jordan, Chairman of the Board of Charlotte Trolley, Inc., said that his board continues to negotiate with CATS. He said the board is committed to vintage trolley service. Dr. Morrill said that the HLC voted at its March meeting to sell Streetcar #85 to Charlotte Trolley contingent upon the HLC’s approving an acceptable contract which will be prepared by Attorney Patricia Nystrom for the proposed sale. The contract will be presented for consideration at the HLC’s meeting on April 14. The Committee agreed that the contract will be presented to the HLC at its April 14th meeting and that Dr. Morrill would report on whether CATS wishes that Streetcar#85 be placed in CATS’S ownership if CATS spends the money to restore the car for regular service in the vintage trolley fleet. 4. Highland Mill #3: Dr. Morrill briefly told the Committee members about the history of the building. Mr. Silverman presented a slide program on properties that Winter Properties has restored and told about the proposed plans for Highland Mill, all of which will be subject to design review by the HLC once restoration begins. He said that $1.5 million dollars is needed in the form of a three year loan from the HLC’s revolving fund to help finance the restoration of the Highland Mill. Ms. Rogers said that Bank of America is financing the bulk of the project but that assistance from the HLC is needed due to negative changes in the economy during the past couple of years. Mr. McBroom said that the mill is very important to the neighborhood and that the North Charlotte neighborhood has more 100-year-old houses than any other local neighborhood. Mr. Turner reported that the HLC currently has $2.272 million in its fund for use but that a good bit of the money is obligated. He distributed an chart showing outstanding payments and estimated project costs. MR. KLUTTZ PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MR. MISENHEIMER TO RECOMMEND TO THE HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMISSION THAT DR. MORRILL AND ATTORNEY PATRICIA NYSTROM INVESTIGATE THE FEASIBILITY OF THE HLC’S POSSIBLE FINANCIAL INVOLVEMENT IN THE HIGHLAND MILL #3 PROJECT AND TO MAKE A RECOMMENDATION TO THE PROJECTS COMMITTEE AT ITS MAY MEETING. THE COMMITTEE APPROVED THE MOTION AS FOLLOWS: ABSTAIN: MS. JOHNSON-GESS, MR. NORMAN (BOTH RECUSED THEMSELVES FROM THE VOTE) OPPOSE: NONE FAVOR: MR. PARKER, MS. BOS, MS. COX, MR. GEER, JR. KLUTTZ, MS. LEWIS, MR. MISENHEIMER. 5. Grier House: Mr. Turner reported that the restoration/stabilization should be completed by late September when Portrait Homes expects to have the grand opening for the adjoining townhouse project. Three proposed design plans were shown by Mr. Murdock for the 2,641 square feet structure for the committee to consider in regard to what is financially feasible. MR. GEER PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MR. NORMAN TO RECOMMEND TO THE HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMISSION THAT PROPOSED DESIGN PLANS #1 AND #2 FOR THE GRIER HOUSE BE PURSUED. THE COMMITTEE UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION. 6. Potential New Projects: Dr. Morrill presented a list of projects that the HLC might want to consider as real estate projects in the relatively near future. The list is derived from the various surveys of historic resources that the HLC has conducted over the years. Two consideration have been uppermost in elevating these properties to the highest level of consideration. They are: 1) level of endangerment and 2) feasibility and availability. This is the list: a. Highland Park Manufacturing Plant No. 3 (The most imposing collection of historic textile building in Mecklenburg County. The developer proposes that the HLC provide a loan of $1.5 million to allow the project to move forward.)b. Ewart House, Huntersville-Concord Road (A distinctive "Triple A" house with distinctive Victorian ornamentation. Staff believes that the property is available for sale.) c. Fincher Farmhouse, McKee Road ( Staff believes that this property is scheduled for development. It is an important remnant of Mecklenburg’s rural heritage - much like the Washam Farm.) d. Reverend Pharr House, Prosperity Church Road (This property is for sale. The price is unknown. The house was the home of a Presbyterian minister and dates from the mid 1800s. This would be a project much like the W. T. Alexander Plantation, meaning that economic viability would depend upon infill development.) e. Ada Manufacturing Co., 12th Street (This is the best preserved remnant of a pre-1890s textile mill in Charlotte. Development of the property would be a challenge, but the building is highly endangered. Staff does not know whether the building is available for purchase.) f. Newell Rosenwald School, Torrence Grove Church Road (This is among the best preserved Rosenwald Schools in Mecklenburg County. The HLC has considered this property previously. This would be a project similar to the Davis House. The HLC would obtain the property and sell it back to the present owners. This would be a complicated project to accomplish.) g. John Murray Alexander Farmhouse, Glory Street (This building and approximately 9 acres of land are available for $350,000. This is a well preserved example of an in-tact small African American farm. The HLC can move ahead with this project.) h. Bathesda School, Alexanderana Road (This building and approximately 2 acres of land are available for $125,000. The Bathesda School is the oldest extant school building used by African American students. The HLC can move ahead with the project.) i. Dr. Richard Z. Query House, Steele Creek Road (Staff believes that the City has acquired this house in order to make way for a new runway. The house will probably have to be moved to a new site. It is an important part of Mecklenburg County’s rural heritage.) j. Frank Lytle House, Huntersville-Concord Road (This is the most substantial home built by an African American farmer in Mecklenburg County in the early 1900s. The house is threatened because of impending development of the property.) Staff Recommendation: Staff recommends that the HLC move ahead with the purchase of the Bathesda School and determine the economic feasibility of purchasing the John Murray Alexander House, the Reverend Pharr House, and the economic and legal feasibility of participating in the Highland Mill project. Investigation of the availability of the Fincher Farmhouse, the Frank Lytle House, the Dr. Richard Z. Query House, and the Ewart House should be undertaken. The Ada Manufacturing Company and the Newell Rosenwald School should not be pursued at this time. The Committee agreed that the HLC should wait on purchasing the Bathesda School. 7. Updates: Mr. Turner A. Grand Theater - Due diligence procedures are underway. B. Croft Schoolhouse - A purchase offer has been accepted by the HLC. C. Yandell House, Main St., Pineville, N. C. - The Executive Committee of the HLC has submitted a contingency contract that the HLC purchase the house for $520,000. The HLC’s contract has been accepted. The Committee stipulated than an appraisal should be part of the due diligence procedure. MR. MISENHEIMER PRESENTED A MOTION SECONDED BY MR. PARKER TO RECOMMEND TO THE HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMISSION THAT THE HLC PURCHASE THE YANDELL HOUSE ON MAIN STREET IN PINEVILLE, N. C. SUBJECT TO DUE DILIGENCE AND APPRAISAL AND APPROVAL BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS. THE COMMITTEE UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MOTION. D. W. T. Alexander - Exterior restoration is nearing completion. Underground fuel oil tanks have been removed and contaminated soils abated. RFP to developers has been sent to a limited list of potential interested parties. MECA Properties is assisting with the expansion of the distribution list. E. Grier-Rea House - Foundation construction is complete. The house has been moved to its final location. Construction documents for the repair of the lower level floor system, foundation, walls and internal piers are in the hands of contractors for bidding. Bids will be received on April 10, 2003 with work commencing shortly thereafter. Mr. Stewart Gray is preparing National Registry documentation. 8. Report of Funds Analysis Subcommittee: Ms. Bos Ms. Bos, Mr. Norman, Dr. Morrill and Mr. Turner will meet soon and further analyze all aspects of the funds. 9.Old Business. Dr. Morrill reported that the future of the four old buildings in the 400 block of E. Trade Street continues to be threatened by the new Arena which will be built there. The HLC awaits an evaluation by the City regarding moving costs, etc. 10. New Business. There was no new business. 11. Adjournment. The meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m.
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