Fate of historic building up in air The Historic Preservation Commission previously denied Margaret Henry’s request to demolish this building at the corner of Main Street and Seventh Street North which recently housed Studio 260, be demolished. At Tuesday’s Columbus City Council Meeting, City Attorney Jeff Turnage said the Historic Preservation Commission had to work with Henry for 180 days on negotiating a compromise to stave off demolition. Photo by: Jason Browne
The Historic Preservation Commission and a community member have about 4 1/2 months to decide the fate of a historic Columbus building.
The Columbus City Council was scheduled to hear an appeal from Margaret Henry, regarding the demolition of the building at the corner of Main Street and Seventh Street North, but was informed by City Attorney Jeff Turnage the Historic Preservation Commission had to work with Henry for 180 days on negotiating a compromise to stave off demolition of the building which recently housed Studio 260.
The 180 days, he said, began when Henry submitted a request for demolition, about six weeks ago.
The Historic Preservation Commission earlier denied Henry's request.
"The Historic Preservation Commission is very opposed to having the building demolished or actively allowed to deteriorate, which is what is being done," said Sarah Labensky, a Columbus business owner and member of the Historic Preservation Commission.
"During the 180 days, the commission should attempt to find another funding source to renovate it," Turnage suggested.
Henry explained the building was "severely damaged" in a storm about a year ago.
"The family realized it would take a great deal of money to bring it to a state where we could rent it," she said. "The family does not feel we have the money to invest in it for the long term.
"There is a great deal of sentiment attached (to the building)," she added, noting it was built about 100 years ago and is an "example of an Italian villa." "The last thing in the world we want is to tear it down."
Henry noted an "interested party" who may buy the building and restore it.
"I'm grateful we have some time," she said. "I hope we can save it, because I do think it's a part of Columbus."
Other business
In another matter, the council awarded the city's recycling contract to Triangle Maintenance Service LLC, the company which previously held the contract with the city and Lowndes County.
The three-year contract, which expires Nov. 2, 2012, is the same as the previous contract, said Columbus Mayor Robert Smith, noting the county will pay $56,000 for recycling services and the city will pay $56,000, with a 25 percent rebate -- about $500 for each -- to be provided to the city and to the county.
Triangle Maintenance Service and Mississippi Industrial Waste Disposal both submitted requests for proposals for the city's recycling contract.
During Tuesday's meeting, the council also approved installation of a stop sign at the intersection of Third Street South and College Street, appointed Quinn Brislin to the city's zoning board of adjustment and appeals, reappointed Annette Savors and Lance Conn to the Columbus Planning Commission and appointed William Wood to a three-year term on the Columbus Planning Commission.
The council also appointed Ernest Brown to the city's tree board and reappointed Smith to the Golden Triangle Waste Management Authority board of directors.
Kristin Mamrack is a staff reporter for The Commercial Dispatch.
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nancy | 11/4/2009 11:35:00 AMmark as inappropriate I remember when there was a flower shop in this building. They always had a beautiful Santa Claus in the window at Christmas.
Ellen | 11/4/2009 11:44:00 AMmark as inappropriate If I am not mistaken, the address of the old Owen Florist building (now owned by the Henry's) is 206 Main st and it was rented by Studio 206 not Studio 260 .. Studio 206 is a group of local artists who get together and paint. Try to check your facts before you print a story.
TL | 11/4/2009 1:02:00 PMmark as inappropriate That this rundown junker is considered to be a historic building is an absolute joke. But, just goes with the territory in Columbus, where TRADITION rules and common sense is chucked out the window with progress.
Old and Broke | 11/4/2009 3:11:00 PMmark as inappropriate so what happens if they don't reach an agreement? if they don't let her demolish the bldg, and she can't afford to keep it up, what happens? that's a helluva deal for the city to make her keep property she can't sell or keep up. what's next....will they start issuing her fines for not being able to keep it up the way they want it to be kept up?
i'd push it over in the middle of the night with a dozer if it were mine.
$1.6M | 11/5/2009 7:06:00 AMmark as inappropriate Take the $1.6million they plan to spend your tax money on updating the crack yards (city Play Grounds) and save the house or make a corner Play Ground there. Remember who is making your decisions for you, "they" are.
Savanna | 11/5/2009 4:03:00 PMmark as inappropriate I just moved to Columbus and I'm already in love with this beautiful city. What I love most about it is the tradition and the old, almost victorian look it has. This charm is a main reason I have moved here. I hope something happens/breaks through for keeping this beautiful home up that is filled with so much history. We cannot go into the future unless we learn from and build on our past! I view this home as an important part of history. Is anyone who is making comments to this news story over 100 years old???? Didn't think so! So please let it stay up and get the word out about the financial need. THE FUTURE GENERATIONS RELY ON THE WISDOM AND TRADITIONS OF THE PAST TO SURVIVE AN BE SUCCESSFUL!!!
TD | 11/5/2009 7:05:00 PMmark as inappropriate The building on that corner now is an eyesore in an otherwise beautiful downtown area. Anything built on that site must conform to the historic zoning ordinances.
So what exactly is the problem?
katrina storey | 11/11/2009 11:30:00 PMmark as inappropriate The old Historic Buildings in our area are part of our History. I hope that someone with financial capabilities can restore it for commercial use. We have one of the most beautiful downtown areas. Our Historic Homes and Buildings are not replaceable.You can find Malls,Strip Malls and Chain Resturants everywhere.My opionion is that preservation of the Historic Buildings is not backward thinking, but progressive thinking due to potential value being found now and far into the future for what is rare and beautiful.I hope it is not too late to save it or cost prohibitive due to waiting so long.
katrina storey | 11/11/2009 11:36:00 PMmark as inappropriate The old Historic Buildings in our area are part of our History. I hope that someone with financial capabilities can restore it for commercial use. We have one of the most beautiful downtown areas. Our Historic Homes and Buildings are not replaceable.You can find Malls,Strip Malls and Chain Resturants everywhere.My opionion is that preservation of the Historic Buildings is not backward thinking, but progressive thinking due to potential value being found now and far into the future for what is rare and beautiful.I hope it is not too late to save it or cost prohibitive due to waiting so long.
brassman | 11/12/2009 2:52:00 PMmark as inappropriate we are so quick to condemn the old that is why I have been fighting old age for a long time . for fear I will be euthanized .
so what is wrong with keeping the old if the preservation society can find the money to restore it. perhaps its a thoughtless youth thing . wait until you mature before you condemn old age in buildings or people.
thanks
Brass
