Where’s the Outcry To Help Preserve Decatur’s Oldest Building?
Decatur Metro | October 5, 2009How did this happen?
One of the agenda items on the docket for tonight’s city commission meeting is providing up to $10,000 to the DeKalb History Center so it can put a new roof on the Swanton House. While $5,000 is already included in this year’s budget, the city manager recommends that the commission give the DeKalb History Center a $5,000 advance on next year to cover the $10,000.
After reading this I was genuinely shocked that the DHC has to approach the city to come up with enough money to put such a critical item like NEW ROOF on the oldest building in the city . Here’s how the executive director of the DeKalb History Center, Melissa Forgey, describes it in a note to the city manager (page 13)…
“We are asking for a greater amount this year so that we can replace the wood shingle roof on the Swanton House; this type of shingle now has a very short life-span. It is in great disrepair, continues to leak and is an eyesore to the neighbors.”
There are few things more threatening to a historic home than a failing roof. And though it no longer sits at its original location, it’s upsetting to me that the city’s oldest building (circa 1825) has such extensive structural problems and the DHC has to go to the city for assistance. Why is no one else acting on this? Where are the hardcore preservationists? The Historic Preservation Commission? The Preservation Alliance? Is there really no public desire for conserving such an important city landmark?
The Preservation Alliance, although it might have interest, has its hands full with the Woodlands Garden and the Cemetery. You may remember they spearheaded the successful effort to save the depot. The DeKalb History Center has always had purview over the Swanton House.
I do indeed recall the Preservation Alliance’s very creation to save the depot. It’s interesting that they’ve gone from a “call to action” group to one that does on-going maintenance for the historic cemetery and a donated garden.
Are their hands really too full to take on a $10,000 donation campaign in conjunction with the DHC? That’s too bad because I think that when many folks think Preservation Alliance they still think of the depot and what was done to save it (not that the city and especially Lyn didn’t also play a HUGE role in that) and assume that they are still the “watch-dog” for the city’s historic resources.
If that’s no longer true, people need to know that and coordinate accordingly.
The DeKalb History Center is a charitable organization just like the DPA. They have owned the Swanton House for a long time. They can campaign just like the DPA for what is theirs. I don’t think the DHC ever did anything for the depot or the DPA, but I may be wrong. Each organization has its own niche and was formed and maintained for its own purpose.
I certainly agree that it is DHC’s primary responsibility to drum up support for the structures it supports, but I would hope in many cases where both orgs share the same goal (to preserve historic structures) that they would help each other out.
They should work together and do more to promote history within the city. I see a Swanton roof as a worthy reason to band together for a worthy cause, which inadvertantly teaches more people about this important house. I didn’t mean to dump on the DPA, it was just one of many questions.
But as I write this I realize that it’s the HPC that should be the one out there coordinating these efforts. How about instead of giving the full $10,000, give the allocated $5,000 and then have HPC organize a fundraiser with all preservation-minded orgs to raise the other half?
Before you mentioned it, DM, that is exactly what I was thinking.
Where has the HPC been on this? It’s role under our city code is far more than approving certificate of appropriateness requests in historic districts.
They did do the Old House Fair earlier (I’m not certain how much this was a result of the HPC, but I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt), which is nice, but I would like to see them a little more engaged with the community as a whole, instead of sitting in their ivory tower telling people what type of materials they must use on their front sidewalk.
I don’t believe the HPC sees themselves as sitting in an irovy tower, but I do agree that when the committee falls back on only approving/denying certs of appropriateness that it gives off that impression.
Which gets back to my point about using these “crises” to promote and educate. People will be less critical and deferential of their opinion if they’re well informed, and see the HPC out there fighting to save our agreed upon most historic assets.
The city manager’s recommendation to give $5,000 and advance $5,000 was approved 5-0 by the commission.
HOORAY!
DPA and DHC: Why not join forces here and collaborate? Leverage the opportunity! / Montana
The HPC does not really have jurisdiction over a property owned by an entity under DeKalb County. Unless of course they make a recommendation for the City of Decatur to purchase the property for its protection. I don’t think we really know if DHC approached HPC or DPA or if they simply went straight to the City Commission to ask for an advance on $$ budgeted to them annually.
The HPC has been working on a survey of historic properties in Decatur and this will be presented in November to the public. They have also been working on several other projects. Any comment regarding their ivory tower and what not just simply feeds into the hysteria we have seen in this City over historic districts. If any of the local historic districts no longer want to be governed by the code of local historic district they can petition to have the overlay removed. If anyone purchased a house within a historic district without checking on the codes they would need to live by then shame on you. Quit your complaining.
Certainly, the Swanton House will be included in the historic survey. I am certain it will be suggested that it is protected.
Budgets are tight for our non-profits. I don’t think I have seen Decatur Metro at any of the fundraising events held by DPA over the past year. Did not see a lot of participation. If you want your historic resources protected you should donate money. If you have a suggestion for protecting a property you should ask. Complaining after the fact or when you have not acted is not constructive.
There are many structures that it would be a shame to lose. We do need to see more action from DPA and DHC and HPC to make it happen. These organizations have not done a good job in the recent past of educating us and raising money for such preservation. I am encouraged that the much overdue historic survey will be a positive step in the right direction.
Just a suggestion but it doesn’t help the HPC’s “ivory tower” image much to have a defender to tell everyone to “quit your complaining” and say “shame on you.”
I never said that the Swanton House was under the HPC’s jurisdiction. I asked why there isn’t more support to help repair the Swanton House by all parties. Why did the DHC go to the commission for money and not drum up support?
And I do give money to local orgs that protect historic resources and I do attend functions…but not with a DM nametag.
Complaining after the fact can be constructive if it brings this issue of a fragmented and unfocused preservation effort back to light. Why are preservation efforts in this city so darn reactionary and so full of pent up animosity? Preservation needs a serious positive PR campaign and all I was saying is that going to the commission for $10,000 looks like a lost opportunity to me. People need to know more about this city’s history if you’re going to convince them that they should protect it. The Swanton House roof seemed like a good rallying point.
The DHPC does have jurisdiction over county owned properties in terms of design guidelines, just like the City has building code jurisdiction over them, confirmed in a court ruling a few years back. In fact, the old courthouse was the first locally designated historic property in the early 90s.
One reason the DHC may not have approached the DHPC about funding is that the DHPC has no money to spend on it anyway. They are a volunteer commission with part time shared staff support.
As for the City purchasing the property, how would that help the situation?
Vocal opposition to historic district designation is “hysteria” now?
Well OK, then. Call me energized for the next hysterical defense of property rights.
On the other hand, a truly rare and historically significant structure like the Swanton House surely deserves this attention. If DHC can’t properly maintain it, perhaps it’s time to discuss some means of transferring ownership to the city. Might be interesting.
One reason the DHC may not have approached the DHPC about funding is that the DHPC has no money to spend on it anyway. They are a volunteer commission with part time shared staff support.
Ahh … City Code Steve, check out Sec 58-34 of the City Code detailing the DHPC’s powers:
Paragraph 2 says: Recommend to the city commission specific places, districts, sites, buildings, structures, objects, or works of art to be designated by ordinance as historic properties or historic districts.
Pargraph 5 says: Advise the city on the restoration or preservation of any historic properties acquired by the city.
Paragraph 9 says: Seek out local, state, federal and private funds for historic preservation, and make recommendations to the city commission concerning the most appropriate uses of any funds acquired.
Paragraph 12 says: Where such action is authorized by a specific resolution adopted by the city commission and is reasonably necessary or appropriate for the preservation of a unique historic property, the preservation commission may enter into negotiations with the owner for the acquisition by the city by gift, purchase, exchange, or otherwise of the property or any interest therein.
So, it seems to me that if they DHPC had the leadership and the wherewithal, they have quite a bit of power in Decatur. It doesn’t look like they really use it though.
Reading some of the responses here I feel a bit like I missed something along the way. What is the relationship between the protection of a place like the Swanton House and protection of property rights? Is there a dispute among the neighbors of Swanton House and the DHC?
The Swanton House is on the National Register of Historic Places. Correct me if I am wrong, but this designation is a federal designation that does not automatically make a property come under local historic district zoning. In my mind, that means that HPC does not have jurisdiction. Of course, maybe English as a second language is a problem here.
As for the code, to paraphase what I see as what is covered under the code is that (1) HPC can point out places they think need protection, (2) can advise the City that purchasing the property may be the best way to protect it, (3) can write grants to try and raise money for protection of designated properties or (4)work on getting property gifted to the City (kind of like the efforts being made for Ryan Gainey’s garden, right?). Relating this back to Swanton House (1) HPC could point out its significance, but really it already has National Historic designation, (2) as someone pointed out, what would the City’s ownership really bring and why would we spend that money now (3) federal grant money is available, but would HPC do that for a property operated by the County? does the all volunteer staff have that kind of time and skill? I still think they are under the narrow purview of local designation (4) I think this is a non issue.
I still think the comment about “ivory tower” and “all they do is ‘insert sarcasm'” is essentially unproductive name calling.