STRATEGIC PRIORITY: Economic Development
AGENDA DATE: June 26, 2024
COUNCIL DISTRICT(S): 7
DEPARTMENT: Department of Planning and Urban Design
EXECUTIVE: Robin Bentley
______________________________________________________________________
SUBJECT
Title
Authorize the (1) acceptance of a grant from the Texas Historical Commission for the FY 2023 Certified Local Government Grant (Grant No. TX-23-002, Assisting Listing No. 15.904) in the amount of $50,000.00 for a historic resources survey of Wheatley Place and Colonial Hills National Register Districts and historic research and development of a report for the period June 26, 2024 through September 30, 2025; (2) establishment of appropriations in an amount not to exceed $50,000.00 in the 2023 Texas CLG - THC Fund; (3) receipt and deposit of funds in an amount not to exceed $50,000.00 in the 2023 Texas CLG - THC Fund; (4) execution of the FY 2023 Certified Local Government Grant and all terms, conditions, and documents required by the agreement; and (5) a required local match in the amount of $50,000.00 for a historic resources survey of Wheatley Place and Colonial Hills National Register Districts and historic research and development of a report - Not to exceed $100,000.00 - Financing: 2023 Texas CLG - THC Fund ($50,000.00) and General Fund ($50,000.00)
Body
BACKGROUND
Certified Local Government grants provide funding to participating city and county governments to develop and sustain an effective local preservation program critical to preserving historic resources.
The Wheatley Place and Colonial Hill National Register Historic Districts were designated in 1995, almost 30 years ago. A resurvey of these districts will help the community and preservation staff better understand and assess the condition of the historic resources in the neighborhood and will help with future neighborhood-oriented planning and preservation efforts. These areas are seeing an overwhelming mix of demolitions and development pressure.
The updated surveys would help preserve the city’s historic fabric in two important ways.
First, Wheatley Place is currently designated as a City of Dallas Historic District. However, the information regarding the status of each property as either contributing or non-contributing to the historic fabric of the district is almost 30 years old. Houses have undergone rehabilitation or may have been demolished, and a new survey will give the neighborhood, Landmark Commission, and City staff updated information on the condition of the houses and resources.
The purpose of Wheatley Place survey would be to update the list of contributing versus non-contributing structures staff uses in determining whether proposed work is appropriate in this City-designated historic district. Contributing structures are significant historic structures built during the period of significance for the district in which they are located. A non-contributing structure was either built after the period of significance or was built during the significant period but has been so significantly altered from its original appearance that it is no longer considered contributing. Contributing structures must meet a more stringent criteria for additions or renovations to the exterior of the structures. They are also better protected from demolition. Buildings once considered non-contributing may have undergone rehabilitation and are now contributing to the Wheatley Place Historic District.
Second, Colonial Hill is a National Register Historic District whose residents have recently shown interest in possible City designation as a Conservation or Historic District. The district is subject to the existing demolition delay provisions in the ordinance, which include a 45-day waiting period, but is not subject to other historic or conservation district provisions. An updated historic resource survey of the neighborhood would help the property owners and staff better understand the current condition of the neighborhood, including extant houses and buildings and vacant lots. The survey would also serve as a decision-making tool for the neighborhood and staff.
This survey for Colonial Hills will include properties that are 1) at least 50 years old and 2) are listed as contributing structures located in a National Register District, are individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places, or are designated as Recorded Texas Historic Landmarks, State Antiquities (Archeological) Landmarks, or National Historic Landmarks. It should be noted that the previous survey and the National Register nomination only identified buildings constructed prior to 1945. In the 28 years since the National Register nomination, many more historic structures in the district have likely come of age and achieved contributing status but have never been identified in the survey or nomination.
PRIOR ACTION/REVIEW (COUNCIL, BOARDS, COMMISSIONS)
This item has no prior action.
FISCAL INFORMATION
|
Fund |
FY 2024 |
FY 2025 |
Future Years |
|
2023 Texas CLG - THC Fund |
$ 50,000.00 |
$0.00 |
$0.00 |
|
General Fund |
$ 50,000.00 |
$0.00 |
$0.00 |
|
Total |
$100,000.00 |
$0.00 |
$0.00 |