The city Board of Architectural Review has recommended 10 properties be added to the local list of individually protected properties, a designation to protect the buildings from demolition and exterior change without city approval. Most of the buildings were commercial, such as the former Monticello Dairy building on Preston Avenue, or church buildings, like the Holy Temple Church of God in Christ on Rosser Avenue.
While representatives from the Holy Temple Church of God seemed pleased with the action, not all property owners in attendance at the April 29 meeting were enthusiastic.
Bill Chapman, owner of the former Coca-Cola Bottling Works building on 10th Street, which was recommended, pointed out that no tax credits come along with local designation. Because it was just an individual protection, it could leave his building orphaned and obsolete if the two properties for sale around it are redeveloped.
 The Wachovia bank in the Barracks Road Shopping Center could get individual protection if City Council votes to approve the list of recommendations from the BAR. |
“It’s a great building, I like it and don’t want to tear it down,” said Chapman (who also owns C-VILLE Weekly). “But conceivably, if anything happens on both sides, that could really change and I’d be stuck with a protected structure.”
He asked it not be designated for individual protection. BAR member Eryn Brennan pointed out that they could only determine whether the buildings were historically or architecturally significant—it will be up to City Council to weigh other factors.
The BAR looked at a total of 12 items because city staff feels that they are most in danger. The decision to increase the number of individually protected properties comes after architectural preservationists decried the demolition of the Compton House, a 94-year-old building designed by noted architect Eugene Bradbury.
In some cases, the danger to the property is clear: The original Martha Jefferson Hospital made the list because the hospital is in the midst of selling the Locust Avenue site for redevelopment. Likewise, members of the family that owns the Fry’s Spring Service Station on Jefferson Park Avenue are in conflict over whether to sell it to make room for apartments. But in other instances, there is no apparent imminent threat to the buildings. The UFO-esque Wachovia Bank in the Barracks Road shopping center is owned by Federal Realty Investment Trust, which hasn’t discussed selling or demolishing the property.
The BAR deferred action on two items—Zion Union Baptist Church and McIntire Park. In the case of the church, it was simply to allow more time for the church members to discuss it. As for McIntire Park, the BAR was unclear about how to regulate such a large landscape. It’s also uncertain whether the BAR will have design control over the Meadowcreek Parkway, a proposed road through the park that’s been on the table for 40 years.
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