HPC Meeting recap 11/16

sheclown · November 16, 2010, 08:00:40 PM

Short meeting tonight. Two things of interest to Springfielders. First is the pink service station on 2034 Main Street. The owner wants to demo it after being tossed around a bit. First problem is that the owner needs federal tax credits to have funds to complete the project, and the National Park Service told her that the station is not "in the historic district" due to some (apparently) cutting out of that section back in the day when it was determined. If it is not in the historic district, the tax credits do not apply.

Secondly, the rolling fines have firmly attached themselves to everything this weary property owner has so she is backed into a corner. It is this road which has lead her to request demolition.

Brenda made a rather impressive plea to the commission to find a way for this owner to get the federal tax credit. She asked for info on making it a landmark or increasing the district lines to include this.

Listening to this conversation, Jason Teal believes it would be easier for this "cut out" of the historic district to be amended to include this section. But no matter what happens, it would require an act of city council to do this.

The matter was deferred, I believe.

sheclown · November 16, 2010, 08:01:12 PM

Second item of interest at the HPC meeting is the JEA "temporary" fencing. Apparently JEA got permission two years ago to place chain link topped with barbed wire in front of the Klutho bridge (1023 Main Street), and due to the economy, no construction has occurred so they are returning to ask for more time.

Lisa Simon was like ...oh hell no...(okay she didn't say those exact words, but the meaning was the same). "You've had enough time, you haven't done any 'construction' yet and there are better ways to deal with site security than to take away our bridge."

The woman sort of scurried away (at this point, a bit afraid of Lisa).

Chris Farley did the PC thing and thanked JEA for helping with alley lighting, but then she also added, we need the Klutho bridge.

Lisa or Chris could tell you how that ended up (at some point I started staring at the ceiling and zoned out). But, I believe they only get a year, have to remove the barbed wire, and need to move the fence inside the bridge.

sheclown · November 16, 2010, 08:04:59 PM

I did speak about the "Ionia Project", SOS's upcoming attempt to mothball one of Springfield's most at risk blocks, the 1600 block where half of the houses are condemned.

thelakelander · November 16, 2010, 08:06:16 PM

Before the demoliton request, what was the pink service station's owner's plan for redevelopment of that property?

sheclown · November 16, 2010, 08:07:01 PM

Yes, she had HPC approval to redevelop it.

thelakelander · November 16, 2010, 08:17:09 PM

What was she going to redevelop it into?

sheclown · November 16, 2010, 08:22:22 PM

Lake, I don't have the details. Does anyone out there know?

uptowngirl · November 17, 2010, 05:48:04 AM

I know the pink building (up around 10th?), at one point it was an antique shop. I spoke to the owner when I first moved here, she was selling it for 110K, and it needed a complete rehab back then (new roof, electric, plumbing, everything) there was also something about contamination as it used to be an autoshop and the grounds were supposed to be contaminated. She told me she bought it for 3K or something years ago (while picking up quite a few other properties in the neighborhood). She never said anything to me about having any permits, or talking to HPC. In fact the only thing she planned at that time was selling it, but did have an antique/junk shop there previsouly.

Also glad Lisa let JEA have it, we have been complianing about that damn fence for years.

sheclown · November 18, 2010, 07:07:47 PM

From Jason @ Content Design:

Today:

Tomorrow?

According to Jason, this was the plan submitted and approved by the HPC. She cannot afford to do this, however, without the federal tax credits.

http://www.contentdg.com/the-urban-facelift-project-10-2034-n-main-street/

sheclown · November 18, 2010, 07:09:28 PM

Content Design's info:

http://www.contentdg.com
http://www.facebook.com/ContentDesignGroup
http://twitter.com/contentdg

iloveionia · November 18, 2010, 07:13:27 PM

But it could be done WITH the tax credits? And it is just a matter of being left out of designation? Cumon. Can't HPC fix that?

I like Content Design's design.

Main Street needs the love!!!!!

sheclown · November 18, 2010, 07:15:17 PM

It's a job for Dr. Gaffney. It will take city council action. Minor. But action nonetheless.

iloveionia · November 18, 2010, 07:27:37 PM

Willing owner?
Ready to rehab?
ON Main Street?
no brainer.

uptowngirl · November 19, 2010, 07:15:46 AM

Can it be a different color? I love Jason's designs but the colors are all the same, there is some on the opposite side of that wheel!

Dog Walker · November 19, 2010, 09:03:46 AM

Quote from: sheclown on November 16, 2010, 08:01:12 PM

Lisa Simon was like ...oh hell no...(okay she didn't say those exact words, but the meaning was the same). "You've had enough time, you haven't done any 'construction' yet and there are better ways to deal with site security than to take away our bridge."

The woman sort of scurried away (at this point, a bit afraid of Lisa).

Lisa may LOOK harmless, but she is fierce and formidable when she gets roused. She does her homework and comes loaded for bear. That JEA person was right to be afraid.