1220 Monroe St.

District: Carrollton - Partial Control

Owner: Westfork LLC 

HDLC Staff: Jesse Stephenson

Rating: Contributing

Applicant: Bylsma Kasey 

Permit #: 23-23246-HDLC

HDLC Guidelines: 

Section 12, Pages 23-24 of the Guidelines for New Construction, Additions and Demolition states that the demolition of all or portions of historic resources within a local Historic District or Landmark site are considered drastic actions, since they alter the character of the area. Once historic resources or buildings that contribute to the heritage of the community are destroyed, it is generally impossible to reproduce their design, texture, materials, details and their special character and interest in the neighborhood. When reviewing demolition applications at properties located within a Historic District or at a Landmark site, the HDLC uses the following criteria in its evaluations:

• The historic or architectural significance of the building or structure as designated by its “rating”: 

Contributing

• The importance of the building or structure to the tout ensemble of the area:  FEMA survey research indicates the original double-shotgun type building was estimated to have been constructed around 1910-1920.

• The alternatives to demolition that have been explored by the applicant: None

• The difficulty or impossibility of reproducing such a building or structure because of its design, texture, material or detail: While reproduction might not be cost-prohibitive. Any new construction built in place of 1220 Monroe would likely not share the building's same massing, roofline and character, which would alter the streetscape considerably.

• The special character and aesthetic interest that the building or structure adds to the local Historic District:  The double-shotgun retains it's massing, brackets, slate roof, English-V ridge tiles, wood weather boards and chimneys.

• The condition of the building or structure: HDLC Staff conducted an interior and exterior inspection on August 30, 2023 and found the building to be in poor condition.

The wood-framed superstructure rests on a pier and beam foundation with barge board under the exterior building envelope.  The weather boards are attached directly to the barge board and are covered with an addition layer of aluminum siding. The roof is comprised of slate shingles that are at the end of their lifespan but are still shedding water. The bearing walls appeared to be plumb with the exception of localized deterioration predominantly at the rear of the building. The brick pier foundation is in fair condition but would require repointing.

The interior spaces of the building were dry with the exception of the rooms at the rear of the building where multiple barge boards and studs were missing. The interior walls were covered in drywall or plaster making the condition of the framing unclear. Many of the rooms had dropped ceilings and had been stripped of their finishing materials.

Staff Recommendations: 

Exploratory interior demolition of the building should occur to provide more information about the current state of the structure. Severe damage is predominantly in the rear of the building and requires remediation in order to secure the building envelope. Staff recommends the removal of the compromised rear shed addition and the rehabilitation of the building to bring it back in to commerce. 

For the aforementioned  reasons, Staff cannot recommend approval of the demolition of the building.

• Recommendation: Denial of the request for full demolition.