Minutes 03/05/1998 - Laserfiche WebLink

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THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 1998 She also noted the importance of walking tours and field trips, saying that public education will encourage preservation, and observed that the evidence from their efforts showed that Martinsville has re-invented itself several times over the years. Council Member Haskell then asked about the significance of the old County Courthouse, and was told that it is an anchor building for the district and had been nominated for Historic Register status. Mrs. Haskell asked about the potential for funding assistance for restoration of the bt~lding from the sources that provided the survey grant, and was told there was no provision for this. Ms. Blanton recommended that the best approach might be for property owners to take advantage of tax credits made available as a result of Historic District designation, to stimulate private investment in such a projects. She also noted that National Kegister status would make the building eligible for funding from other sources, such as the National Trust and the Preservation Alliance, and that the tax credits available could make buildings such as the old Jobbers Plant excellent candidates for adaptive reuse. Mr. Reeves agreed, stating that it was not good to let such buildings sit vacant, regardless of historic value, and that demolition could render the site more viable for reinvestment. Mr. Tim Martin, President of the Uptown Business Association, disagreed with the idea of tearing down the Jobber Plant, stating that he felt it was a great prospect for re-development. Ms. Blanton agreed, especially within the context of tax credits. Mr. Tom Hamed, Assistant to the City Manager for Development, noted that the entire Uptown area was also in the Enterprise Zone area, thus adding further advantages to redevelopment of sites and buildings there. Mr. Manin then asked for information on which buildings had been noted as historically significant, and Ms. Blanton pointed these out on maps provided. Mr. Manin then asked whether the old Grand Piano Building, which his family had bought and refurbished, might qualify, and was told that if the original architecture of the exterior of the building could be recaptured that it would qualify for consideration. Council Member Teague then asked when the State Review Board would consider the application for Historic District Designation, and was told that this would occur on April 22, 1998, and that upon acceptance the district will be placed on the Virginia Landmarks Register and the nomination will be forwarded to the National Park Service for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. Mr. Teague then asked when tax credits