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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/07/1996 - Regular Minutes - Historic Preservation Committee HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 1996 -- 5:15 P.M. CENTRAL PARK CONFERENCE ROOM 1000 KRENEK TAP ROAD HISTORIC COMMITTEE Bill Lancaster, Chairman Gary Halter Steven Smith Sharon Menn MEMBERS PRESENT: Dennis Maloney Aaron Ffrench, Old Main Society Liaison MEMBERS ABSENT: Mary Jane Hirsch Deborah Jasek Carol Wagner Bill Fox, Council Liaison STAFF PRESENT: David Gerling, Special Facilities Superintendent VISITORS PRESENT: Debbie Winslow, 905 Montclair Annie Williams, 116 Sterling Charlie Mae Jones, 1219 Arizona I. CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 5:20 p.m. by Bill Lancaster, Chairman. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The minutes were not approved due to lack of a quorum at the beginning of the meeting. Later, when a quorum was present, approval of the minutes was overlooked. The minutes will need to be approved at the next meeting. 3. HEAR VISITORS: Bill welcomed the visitors, who said they were at the meeting to listen in. He invited them to give their input to the HPC (Historic Preservation Committee). 4. COMMITTEE REPORTS: Southside Signage: Bill stated that he'd seen an article in the newspaper about a "Special Event Parking Plan for Southside/Eastgate ", and asked David if he'd talked to the folks doing the plan. David said yes, he had, and he handed out copies of the plan to the members and guests. David explained to members and visitors that he, Bill, and Dennis had attended a "Special Event Parking Plan for Southside /Eastgate" meeting. The plan, which was being worked on by the City's Public Service Department, Police Department, and ABM, was developed to alleviate the parking problems which occur in those two areas during special events. In the proposed plan, one side of a street would be open to parking, while the other side would be closed, thus allowing emergency vehicles into the area if the need arose. Signs would be installed, and during special events the signs would flip down, indicating that no parking was allowed. When no special events were going on the signs would flip back up, and according to the plan, the city logo ( "the Snail ") with either Southside or Eastgate printed below the logo, would appear on the sign. Historic Preservation Committee Page 2 Dennis stated that he'd attended the Eastgate meeting the night before and only three people had shown up, but he stated that Southside had a nice showing. The comment was made that the only time Eastgate really had a parking problem was during Bonfire, whereas, Southside had a problem every time there was a game. Dennis stated that the plan called for the special event signs to be installed at the beginning and end of every block, and that he had suggested putting the College Station depot on the signs (instead of the College Station logo) and not adding any wording. He felt that if the City would use the depot instead of the City logo on the signs, then all the HPC would have to do would be add the wording "Historical District" to the signs that would be placed in Southside. Dennis said that the parameters which had been set up for Southside in the "Special Event Parking Plan ", seemed to coincide almost exactly with the area that the HPC wanted declared historical. He said that Ed Hard, and Major Mason Newton were enthusiastic about the idea of using the depot on the signs. Steve Smith stated that in the past, on the night of Bonfire, the streets into Eastgate were barricaded and no entrance into the area was permitted unless you lived there. He asked if the signs were being put up in lieu of the barricades. David stated that yes, once the signs were up and the plan went into effect, they would no longer barricade Eastgate, however parking would be allowed only on one side of the street. Steve asked when the plan would be discussed again, and Dennis stated that it would have to be presented to the City Council and approved before it went into effect. Dennis said the signs would be seven feet high, and the background would be dark brown, like the State Parks signs, with the lighter color being used for the depot and wording. There would also be locks on the signs to keep pranksters from unfolding them. Bill asked what other information Dennis had on the Southside signage issue. Dennis said if the City went ahead with the "Special Event Parking Plan ", there would be no need for additional signage in the area. Lights however, would be a separate issue. Dennis stated that he had called Les Swick at the TAMU Physical Plant and that Mr. Swick would not return his calls. Dennis asked David to call Mr. Swick at 845 -5318, to find out where A &M got their lamps from. Dennis said he wanted a salesman that sold to the University to give the HPC an idea of what it could get in the $500 - $1,000 range. He told the members that it looked like the HPC might be eligible for $10,000 of Community Development Block Grant money, explaining that at the last City Council meeting Bill Fox had suggested putting $10,000 of the $23,000 left over in that account towards Southside lighting. Dennis said the HPC would be eligible for that money as long as that lighting was used for security. Since the lights the HPC wanted would be lower to the ground, they would cast more light than the taller lights the City usually installed. Dennis said that the HPC would then have $40,000 total to spend on lighting for Southside. Gary stated that at one of the past meetings he'd raised the issue of light pollution and felt that it was something the HPC should be concerned about. Dennis said that since period lighting was lower to the ground it should take care of that problem. Bill asked what light pollution was, and Gary said it was when you couldn't see the stars because of too much light overhead. Dennis asked Gary if the style of lamp he preferred was the type with a top on it. Gary said yes, but that there were a lot of down - facing lights that didn't do a good job, such as the cobra -head lights which the City had just installed on University Drive. Gary said that at one time he had sent the City Council an article from Star Date Magazine describing light fixtures the City could use which would not contribute to light pollution. Dennis asked if Gary had anything the HPC could look at, adding that he didn't have any objection to using that type of lamp, as long as it was period lighting. David asked Gary if he had an address and phone number of a light manufacturer who could give the HPC some Historic Preservation Committee Page 3 information on those type of lights. Gary stated he could get David a name and phone number. Gary stated that when he sent the information to the Council he didn't expect them to change out all the lights at once, but had suggested that as lights were replaced and new lights installed, the less - polluting type lamp should be kept in mind. Bill asked if the Council had been sensitive to the problem, and Gary said they had only acknowledged receipt of his letter. Sharon asked how the HPC could make the Council aware of the concern. Bill said going to the City Council meetings was the best way. He added that the HPC's interests were in getting a period lighting standard that was a non - polluter, and the members, as citizens, could personally address light pollution to the City Council as a separate issue if they chose to do so. Bill asked what type of time frame the HPC was looking at. David stated that the lights needed to be chosen, purchased and installed by September 30, 1996. Dennis stated that the HPC needed to only look at lamps in the $500 - $1,000 range, look at the lighting factor, the aesthetics, and maintenance issues. He added that if Gary could bring in some literature and some numbers could be gotten, then the HPC should be able to reach a consensus and make a decision at the next meeting. Dennis suggested that since the City was installing and replacing lamps in other areas already, perhaps the HPC could make use of that labor, and the money that would have been spent for installation could go towards purchasing more lamps. Gary asked if the neighborhood was putting money into the lights that the City was currently installing. Bill said no, that it was a City project. Dennis said that once the HPC decided on a lamp, he would like to get the Council to agree to allow individual homeowners to purchase lamps if they so desired. In exchange the City would install and maintain the lamp. He stated that it had been possible at one time to do this, however the City changed that policy. Bill asked if the HPC was in agreement that it would make a decision on a lamp design at the next meeting, so that a recommendation could be made to Council. Dennis said as soon as the HPC could see Gary's brochures and information, and get prices, a decision could be made. Historical Tourism: Mary Jane was not present to give an update. Oral History: David stated that so far, the Northgate, Eastgate, Southside, and Early Education oral histories had been held. The Early Education transcripts were not yet completed. Early Transportation, 1920's - 1950's would be the next oral history held, and Gracie Calbert was trying to find someone to chair that session -- someone who had been involved in early transportation in some way. Bill stated that he didn't imagine that many people would be involved in that session. David agreed, stating that there may be some people who could tell stories about the trolley, bicycling, horse riding, or the first motorcycle in town, etc. David stated that so far it had been one of the more challenging sessions that Gracie had put together. Photo Document: Sharon told the HPC that the project was underway. She stated that she had gotten the perfect camera, and that she'd been out taking photographs, though none had been developed yet. Bill told her that if she needed any help from the members other than just pictures, to let them know. She asked the members to gather any pictures that they could and bring them to the next meeting so that Steve Smith could take them. Dennis asked what types of photographs, and Sharon said any historical, older pictures and any current pictures. Dennis asked if copies could be made of the photos brought in, since some people wouldn't be wiling to give up their photographs. He said he was thinking about Ms. Mitchell. He knew she kept everything, and felt she would probably have some good photos from about the 1940's, when her father came to College Station. David stated that copies of any photos could be made at Quick - as - Flash. Dennis asked how long Historic Preservation Committee Page 4 he could tell people that the HPC would be keeping their photos. It was decided a couple of weeks to a month would be the longest that photos would be kept. Education: David stated that Deborah wouldn't be at the meeting, and the last time he spoke with her she didn't have anything new to report on Education. 5. AFRICAN AMERICAN EDUCATION IN COLLEGE STATION STATE MARKER: David said the notice had been received from the State that the topic for the marker had been approved. When the marker application was sent to the State, the title had been Black Education in College Station, however, when the approved application came back, the title had been changed to African American Education in College Station. David explained that it had been Lillian Robinson, the late Lincoln Center Supervisor, who had come up with the title for the application. David said he called the Antiquities Committee in Austin, and he found out that African Americans aged 40 or younger prefer to be called black. Those between the ages of 40 and 80, prefer to be called African American and those over the age of 80, still called themselves Negroes. The Antiquities Committee explained to David that the official, acknowledged wording currently used on markers is African American. David told the Antiquities Committee that the wording for the application had come from one of the residents of the local African American community, and they told David that if there was a big outcry about the wording from those residents, a letter would need to be written and then they would consider changing it. Dennis asked the visitors how they felt, and which they preferred to go by, and Mrs. Charlie Mae Jones told him African American. Bill asked if Lillian Robinson's replacement, Kimmie Habtemicheal needed to be consulted about the issue. David said he'd already talked to her about it. Bill was concerned that the wording might cause a problem after it had been engraved and the plaque installed. Mrs. Jones said she did not believe it would be a problem. David said they would leave the wording as is. Bill told the members and visitors that after the money was received for the plaque, it would be cast, and then a date would be set for the dedication ceremony. David added that once the official wording was done for the plaque, the state would send it back to the City to have the wording verified. The City would then return it to the State who forwards the information to the foundry. Once there it takes 6 -8 weeks for the plaque to be cast and then returned to the City. David felt that it would be late spring or early summer before the plaque would be received. Gary asked if the plaque would be placed at Lincoln Center, and David said yes, along Eleanor Street. 6. OTHER COMMITTEE CONCERNS; Steve Smith said he had a suggestion. He explained that recently, because of his job at the University Archives, his church had asked him to give a presentation on what a homeowner could do to preserve family correspondence, mementos, photographs, etc. He felt that the HPC might want to provide a place to hold a workshop on this topic. It would help flush out information, photos, etc., which might be of interest to the HPC, and it would raise the awareness in the community that the HPC existed and was interested in the history of College Station. Steve said that holding the workshop was a project he would be willing to do. Sharon asked if he would give examples of how to preserve mementos. He said he would discuss what to do with family letters, photos, records, and how to preserve those things without spending a lot of money. He said there were also some things that could be done which did cost money, but he could show how to develop a strategy to take care of mementos if a person was limited as to how much money they could spend. Sharon said she thought it was a wonderful idea. Gary said he'd heard that a short life span had been predicted for video cassettes. Steve said he wasn't an Historic Preservation Committee Page 5 expert on those, because the Archives didn't deal much with video cassettes, but he knew there was concern about, not only video, but audio cassettes as well. He said there were some things that could be done, nevertheless, to try and preserve them. Bill said the idea of a workshop was a good one. David asked Steve if it was something that he wanted to do before the end of the school year. Steve said he could do it at anytime. David reminded the members that the HPC didn't meet during summer months. Steve said next fall would be fine -- that it was really just a question of finding a place to hold the workshop, and promoting it far enough in advance that people were aware of it. He asked if the City would have to rent space for it, and David told him no, there was space that could be opened up to hold the workshop. Bill thanked Steve for his idea. David said the third and final call had gone out for the last bit of ISTEA money. He said he had talked to the students about the train depot and they still wanted to try for a museum quality depot so they want to put in another application to try and get the grant. Gary asked where the depot project stood with A &M. David stated that the largest hurdle was trying to get A &M to accept the class gift and put it on campus. He explained that currently, City staff was trying to find out who on campus had the authority to say yes to the project. David stated that everyone on campus the City had talked to about the depot said that it was a decision for the Board of Regents. Gary suggested that Jerry Gaston might be able to help. David said he'd been talking to the City's Engineering Department, and they had discussed turning the depot into a multi -modal transfer point instead of a museum, like the students were proposing. In that way it could be used as a transfer point for Brazos Transit, A &M Transit, and have bicycle racks and walkways. Touching on all the different methods of transportation may give the depot project a better chance of getting the ISTEA money. Dennis stated that if that was done, A &M would have to give up more space, which it probably wouldn't be willing to do, and David agreed. David said the other option would be to move the project to the old AmTrak site, which was not City property. The City was no longer leasing the property since AmTrak quit running. Gary felt that putting the depot at the AmTrak site wouldn't be the same as putting it on campus, and they may as well not do the project. Sharon stated that she didn't understand the University's problem with approving the site. Gary wondered if the A &M President was aware of the situation with the depot, adding that there needed to be an advocate (possibly Mr. Gaston) who could help get it through the Board of Regents. David said that David Godbey was no longer pushing for the project and had backed off. David thought it was possible that someone at A &M had admonished Mr. Godbey for trying to push the project through. Gary stated that it may be necessary to have someone from outside the University, such as the Mayor, to go to the Board. Sharon told Gary that he would be the perfect person to go. Steve said it seemed as though the Class of 1994 would be the group to get something done. David said that they had all graduated and weren't around to do anything. Sharon said she felt that the President would be interested to know about this project. Dennis asked if a letter could be sent to him, and Gary stated it would be better to have a meeting with him. David said the City would try to set up a meeting between the President, the City Manager and the HPC, to get him informed and get his approval. Bill said the meeting should take care of the problem. Dennis stated that he'd noticed that The Eagle, through various articles they'd published, had been continually redefining the boundaries for the Southside historical area. He felt the HPC needed to map out the specific boundaries, especially since Ed Hard with City Planning would be going to the City Council in early March to present the Special Events Parking Plan and the ideas for signage. He said that if Mr. Hard presented the depot as the logo for the signs, the HPC needed to be able to tell him how many signs to have made that read "Historical District ". Dennis commented that he felt that a lot of homes were being left out of the historical area which should be included. The Historic Preservation Committee Page 6 McDermott's house, the McMurray's house on Winding Road, Dr. Williamson's and Dr. Jones' homes should all be included. Sharon said she didn't know the age of the McMurray home. Dennis said he thought it was built during World War II, however it was determined that the home had been built probably in the late 1950's, and that Winding Road wasn't there during World War II. Bill asked Aaron if he had anything to add. He said discussion about class gift proposals would be beginning soon, and one of the ideas for a gift was to restore Military Walk to the way it was originally. Bill stated that there were a lot of pictures of Military Walk and that the trees were still there. Steve said that there was some good news on campus -- instead of tearing buildings down, the Board of Regents at their last meeting signed off on the bids to renovate and restore the Cushing Library, which Steve said his office would take over. It would be used as a rare book and archive manuscript repository for the University. Bill asked if there had been discussion about tearing it down. Steve stated that about five years back the decision had been made to abandon it and eventually tear it down, but now it will be renovated and called the Cushing Memorial Library. Gary asked if the old stacks would remain. Steve said they would be removed. He said it was not going to be a complete restoration and the only thing that would be restored to authenticity, would be the second floor reading room. He said there would be a first floor reading room as well, on the northwest side of the building. Under the Atrium area, where the coke machines are now, there will be a 6,000+ square foot exhibit gallery, which was not there originally, but it will be a nice feature. He added that his office on campus was trying to get the Class of 1996 gift as well, so they were in competition with the Military Walk idea. He explained that the Board of Regents gave them money to renovate the Cushing Library, but there was no money to buy furniture. He told everyone that thirteen of the library's original reading room tables had been recovered. Bill asked if they were the big oak ones and wanted to know where they'd been. Steve said yes, they were oak, and they'd been located in various places. Some were out at the Riverside campus, some had been up in the top of Evans Library with computers piled on top. He added that the original grillwork going into the Reading Room which had been thought lost, had also been found out at Riverside near a bunch of pallets. 7. ADJOURN; The meeting adjourned at 6:15 p.m.