New Historic Preservation Commission Appointed

Fairhope, Alabama 

 

 

Old American Legion building.

CITY'S HISTORY BEING LOST?

With numerous historical buildings and homes around town facing an uncertain future, the mayor nominated and the city council appointed members to the city's first Historic Preservation Commission: Mara Kozelsky, Gary Gover, Dannie Mixon, Amy Molyneaux, Susan Stein, Harvey Jones, Ginger Golson, Gabriel-Gold Vukson (city staff), and Jay Robinson (council representative).

The commission replaces the old Historic Preservation Committee, which was dissolved.

The mission of the new commission is:  "The Fairhope Historic Preservation Commission shall engage in a wide range of activities that support preservation of important historical, cultural, and architectural sites and structures in Fairhope. Activities include public outreach and education about preservation, providing information about state and national incentives for preservation, and helping interested residents and business owners secure tax credits, and protections accorded to appropriately documented and registered historic properties."

No first meeting date has been set; when it happens officers will be elected and strategies developed.

The old Fairhope Hardware/Peoples Cooperative Store, American Legion/Pine Needles/Working Women's Club, Knowles and Slosson homes adjacent Knoll Park are among the current worries.  

Comments

Anonymous said…
I hope the preservation extends to houses in my neighborhood that are rotting away. A work ethic may solve some of this.
Anonymous said…
What a shame. May be they will be able to save some.
Anonymous said…
Are any of those Appointees Real Estate people?
Anonymous said…
No. there is one home builder though.
Anonymous said…
Too late
Anonymous said…
Some are reel eyesores and need to come down
Anonymous said…
Very few people are willing to pay a million dollars for a historical home in downtown Fairhope that needs a million dollar renovation. That’s why so many historical homes in downtown Fairhope listed for a million and up are not selling. The old Fairhope Hardware Store cannot be saved. It would take a lot of money to bring that building up to commercial codes that the City of Fairhope requires. The City needs to work with the owners/developers of the old hardware store and come up with a reasonable plan and stop using parking as a reason for denial. The new "event venue" going in at the recently sold Windmill Market (Old Mary Ann’s location) next to McSharry’s isn't required to have parking for all the people attending weddings parties there so why push so hard against the development at the old hardware store? As a wedding event venue there will probably be 50 to 100 cars parked on city streets for people attending events there. Doesn’t seem right to stop the old hardware store developers.
Publisher said…
The city's board of adjustments tabled (delayed) the old hardware store issue until its October meeting. As far as we know it will come back up then.
Anonymous said…
Yeah. Why don’t we just pile up bad over bad. Let’s tear down the hardware store and have a “memorial park” to our local leaders that have created this mess.
Anonymous said…
Hampton Inn guy had to build a parking deck for theri hotel. No differnt now.
Anonymous said…
Great. Taxpayer-funded NIMBY.
Anonymous said…
The barons of the Single Tax Corp. ought to consider buyng it and converting into affordable retail space for the locals.
Anonymous said…
Would someone please explain what is historic about the Fairhope hardware store building? I just don't see it.
Anonymous said…
Take your cell phone and read the marker on the store's front. it will tell u all about the peoples supply store history.
Anonymous said…
As a long time resident the city requirements are cost prohibitive to rehab many structures.They continue to fund unnecessary projects and acquisitions ,yet ignore parking issues and parking is not taxed.Now that the single tax corp is non profit(against original charter as is city tax) it should be allowable to charge metered parking down town.The size of parking spaces are way too small for large SUV's and trucks,and some more streets could and should be one way.Can only imagine the out cry if a major fire happened in the downtown area during day peak hours of the day,the limited access creates quite a clear and present danger.
Anonymous said…
There were parking meters in the 1960s. in down town.
Anonymous said…
that is what this does, gives tax braeks and grants.
Anonymous said…
The current city leadership (council/mayor) are living in the past. We need fresh leadership that balances the old with the new. I remember when there was a 7-11 in downtown Fairhope; so Fairhope wasn’t always this picture perfect town. Downtown Mobile is thriving because leadership there is open minded. Fairhope’s answer to any new development downtown is to deny due to “parking.” This excuse is getting old. Parking is a CITY issue. Build a new parking garage at the old elementary school and install modern credit card parking meters. The million dollars they just spent to acquire the Barnwell recreation land could have been used to build a parking garage. Short sighted.
Anonymous said…
So downtown Fairhope is not thriving and downtown Mobile is? Wrong! where would you rather be?
Anonymous said…
What is affordable? Fairhope is upscale. Take it or leave it. Baldwin County is plenty big to accommodate all income levels and spending habits.