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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/06/1993 - Regular Minutes - Historic Preservation Committee HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1993 - 7:00 PM CENTRAL PARK CONFERENCE ROOM 1000 KRENEK TAP ROAD MEMBERS PRESENT: Lois Beach, Florace Kling, JoAnn Lamkin, Gary Basinger, Bill Lancaster, Greg Keith, Mary Jane Hirsch, Vernon Schneider MEMBERS ABSENT: Gary Halter, Chairman; Deborah Jasek STAFF PRESENT: David Gerling, Special Facilities Superintendent; Pamela Einkauf, Senior Secretary I. CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 7 :07 p.m. by Lois Beach, in Gary Halter's absence. II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: A motion was made and seconded, to accept the minutes from the last meeting. III. REVIEW OF APPLICATIONS: No new applications to review. IV. UPDATE ON BLACK EDUCATION IN THE BRAZOS VALLEY: Deborah Jasek, who is still working on this, was not present, therefore there was no new discussion on this topic. It will be addressed at the next meeting. V. FUTURE PROJECTS DISCUSSION: a) Joint Projects with TAMU - David commented that the items listed on the agenda were just brainstorming ideas that the committee could pursue. He hoped that even if these particular ideas were not used, they may help the committee to come up with some ideas for both on and off campus. If the project is off campus it will be easier to pursue than an on- campus project, because of the University bureaucracy. Greg brought in a list of ideas for joint projects that the City and the University could pursue, a copy of which was handed out to the committee. Historic Preservation Committee Wednesday, October 6, 1993 Page 2 Greg also handed out information regarding the Interurban Trolley. The trolley ran between Bryan and College Station from 1910 until 1929. The turnaround or halfway station, which was purchased in 1957 and converted into a home, still has a portion of the trolley tracks under the floor. Greg said this information was documented in the report. Greg feels that it would be a good project for the Cities of Bryan and College Station, as well as the University, to recognize the old trolley which ran, and the routes that existed. Greg said that when driving through Houston, a trolley can be seen on display in Bellaire with a fence around it, however, there is no interpretation. Greg feels that the Agricultural and Mechanical Museum idea would be a good joint project. He mentioned the cornerstones from the old campus buildings again, and said he felt that the cornerstones sitting in the greenhouse should be incentive to get a museum built. David talked to an Architectural student who is trying to find out as much about the train depots as possible. She is trying to create plans as to what it would cost to reconstruct the depots or relocate an existing depot and refurbish it. She said she would be in contact with David. Greg's information also included ideas on building codes and possibly designating different zones around campus with different architectural styles reminiscent of Bryan /College Station history. Vernon Schneider heard from a reliable source that the house on campus, which had been built in 1937 for Gib Gilchrist when he came to the University as Dean, may be torn down. David checked with the Physical Plant and they didn't know anything. They referred him to Planning and Space Allotment where he spoke with Glen Dowling. Mr. Dowling told David that he would be the one in charge of anything like that and that he hadn't heard anything. He also told David that he thought that if that building were going to be torn down, the Antiquities Committee would have to be notified because of its age. There is a state mandate which says any building on state property built before 1940, cannot be torn down without the approval of someone on the state level. The plans at this point are for the next V.P. to move into it, and if that person doesn't want it there are about three other people who want to move into it. More than likely it will remain as a residence. David notified Gary Halter who said he would work on it from his end. Vernon said he didn't want to start any rumors but that he had been told the alternatives were to refurbish it or tear it down and build a new structure. Greg brought up the idea (which had been discussed at previous meetings) of moving old campus homes to WPC for use as retail and souvenir shops. He suggested using the old home on the bypass which was once the Commandant's home, however, everyone informed him that it had already . been torn down. Lois said that the idea was a good one, but an expensive one and that the committee had to give up on that idea because of the money that would be involved. Greg said he felt like A&M would have to put up money towards saving some of these older homes /buildings. Greg also suggested using the medians on the streets surrounding campus for some type of historical interpretation - statues or commemorative type things. Perhaps some of the old monuments on campus or the old stone east gate. David Gerling said that the Streetscape Program /Community Appearance Committee would be a good group to get in touch with on something like this. Vernon Schneider recommended getting with Elrey Ash Historic Preservation Committee Wednesday, October 6, 1993 Page 3 as soon as possible if the committee wanted to get something done with the medians. He said part of the planning process is to do a minimal amount initially, keeping an eye on different features that could be added later. b) Northgate Businesses - Ideas for these businesses were included in Greg's summary of joint projects. After they are designated historical, Greg said it could be taken further back to the businesses that were there before the existing businesses. He felt students would find that interesting. David said the least expensive way to get information out on the history of these buildings would be through the use of brochures. However, the most effective way would probably be a plaque. Bill Lancaster said that the first City Hall was not Cafe Eccell - it was located on the second floor of what is now Rother's Bookstore in Southgate, and there was a drugstore /grocery below it. The building was probably built in the mid 1930's. There was also a dentist and a doctor's office upstairs. Bill said there may have been another City Hall located somewhere else before that, and that Florance Neeley would probably know since she was a city secretary then. David said the building would qualify for a city plaque. c) Fire School - David talked to Charles Page, and he has a lot of information that he's willing to give to the committee to use. He's very anxious to promote the fire school for some type of marker, if not a state marker then some type of recognition. The question was raised if the committee would have to go through the University before a marker could be put up. David said yes, the committee would probably have to do the leg work, submit the application and buy the plaque, but include the University on the dedication. It's possible that Charles Page may have kept such good records that its just a matter of condensing and retyping the information that he has. d) Churches - Joann looked into the churches, and most of them will not be eligible for a city plaque because the main buildings have been torn down. What used to be the Church of Christ building (now Methodist) probably would qualify, however that building is also going to be torn down. She did find out though, that some form of Methodist religion has been on that corner since 1920 - for 73 years. David suggested that the committee go after a subject marker for that. It has to be at least 75 years old for a state marker, however, the committee could start working on that and it could be completed by the time it reached the 75 year mark. The only church still there that Joann could think of as qualifying for a plaque, is St. Thomas Episcopal Church. There is a picture of St. Thomas which is dated 1938. Joann reminded everyone that Deborah Jasek had recommended checking into the black churches, such as Washington Chapel, which have been at the same location since their beginnings and may be old enough. David said he talked to Lillian Robinson and she knows the pastor of Washington Chapel and she will take an application for a city marker to him to see if he is interested in applying. e) Other - In addition to the other information Greg handed out, there was a copy of the Thursday, September 30, 1993, issue of The Battalion. This issue included a commemorative issue celebrating the newspaper's 100th anniversary. Historic Preservation Committee Wednesday, October 6, 1993 Page 4 VI. OTHER COMMITTEE CONCERNS: The dedication of the Richard Carter Park signage is being scheduled for April 21st - Aggie Muster. David has been in contact with Mary Helen Bowers who is • the University coordinator for that type event, and he is working with her on that. He will keep the committee informed as to the status of the dedication date. He will not talk to Albert Pedulla, the sculptor, until the date is more definite. David brought it to the Committee's attention that a Vice Chairman needed to be elected so that when Gary Halter can't make a meeting there will be someone there to chair the meeting. Bill Lancaster nominated Lois Beach and it was seconded. Lois was voted in as Vice Chairman. VII. ADJOURN: The meeting was adjourned at 7:53 p.m. IDEAS FOR TEXAS A&M AND COLLEGE STATION JOINT VENTURE presented by Greg Keith At our last meeting were enlightened to the fact that President Mobley was interested in working with the City of College Station on historical projects. Since that meeting, Mobley has moved to the Texas A &M University System. Since I don't know if this changes the level of interest, the ideas below are proposed as if the interest still exists. This list was generated as a brainstorming exercise. Feasibility, expense, and practicality were ignored for the chance they might stifle creativity. 1] Recognition for the routes of the Interurban trolley in College Station as well as on campus. This could be accomplished with brickwork, signs, markers, historic parkways, landscaped medians with interpretation, and combination sign /maps. Termination points on campus could be marked as well. Perhaps a streetcar could be located and renovated that is the same model as the one that operated here in B -C.S. In Houston, or Bellaire to be more specific, there is an old renovated streetcar in the median. Their idea was sound, except it is surrounded by a fence and has no interpretation. During undergrad research here at A &M, I was suprised to discover how many people didn't know of the existence of the Interurban trolley. 2] Development for a History of Texas A &M Museum. The Sanders Corps museum is for ceremony and recruitment, it does not have the space for 117 years of Texas A &M history. Perhaps a new museum could be developed in conjunction with the George Bush Presidential Library or the Agricultural & Mechanical museum discussed at the last meeting. Of Course, the University Archives would be located in the new building. Texas A &M has artifacts which should be displayed and not neglected. This point is illustrated by the case of the 1876 -1900 cornerstones which had brass nameplates removed last year while in greenhouse storage. In addition, an ad in the Texas Aggg requesting donations (return) of A &M artifacts is sure to turn up many interesting finds. 3] Reconstruction of the train depot(s) near their original location. This was briefly mentioned last meeting. 4] Texas A &M and the City of College Station should discuss incentives for new building construction to consider period architectural styles. All the cherry red -brick buildings that marked the campus in the late 1800's have disappeared, but pictures and records of these buildings remain to guide today's architects. It would be interesting if new construction style zones were mandated, or somehow encouraged. Early Texas A &M for the campus perimeter, old south for one zone, southwest or pueblo for another, and early Texana for yet another area. This would increase the aesthetics of College Station and prevent construction without regards to appearance. Building standards would also promote tourism. 5] Perhaps an area bordering west campus could be designated for the old campus houses once they are sold, neglected, or abandoned. I think that there is one house that is currently in a state of abandonment near the bypass. These old homes could be renovated into a modern "Faculty Row ", which would be reminiscent of the five professors' brick homes built from 1876 -1879 and dubbed "The Line." I think a similar idea for retail and souvenir shops was conceived for Wolf Pen Creek. 6] At the last meeting we discussed historical markers for Northside. Once these markers are obtained, perhaps we could further interpret the buildings by noting all of the previous businesses or uses, as well as sites of the original Boyette and other buildings that served the students. For example, many people would be interested to know that Cafe Excell was once city hall. 7] The medians of the streets surrounding the campus (University, George Bush, Texas, and Wellborn) could be used for historical interprOtation. In fact, I think Texas Ave. will have a raised median as a result of the planned widening. These medians can be used for statues, fountains, transplanted and reclaimed monuments (such as the old "East Gate" if it can be located), interpretive signage (in style of wooden signs in the medal of honor park on University Ave. west of the railroad overpass), old - fashioned street lights, and /or landscaping (xeriscaping) with indigenous flowers and plants tracing the heritage of Texas. Perhaps Crepe Myrtles could be planted since the city has been designated as the Crepe Myrtle capital of + exas. In any event, something needs to be done with the perimeter medians. Of course it would be broken to allow for turn lanes, but large stretches of the campus do not require immediate access. I believe there is a great opportunity here for historical interpretation.