Help Save Historical Structures

[Pete]

This discussion started on the Morgan Building thread but it's an important conversation in it's own right.

A familiar pattern is this: 1) we see in the paper or in one of the municipal agendas / application processes that a building is being evaluated for demolition by either the city or a property owner; and 2) the building is so far gone or has been empty for so long, there isn't enough interest or time to save it.

So, there clearly is a more proactive way to dealing with this issue before it gets to this point. When it does, the prognosis seems to be about 99% fatal.


It seems obvious most these buildings have been in violation of several municipal codes for years if not decades. But the city does not go out looking for these things, they have to be reported and even then I doubt much is done.

I suggested we create a list (perhaps identify specific areas and inventory) and divide up responsibility for monitoring and reporting. I'm sure lots of people would volunteer.


However, before we start something like this it seems we need to do some research about the process. Here's some ideas:

1. Contact a councilperson like Meg Salyer and/or Ed Shadid to see if there are any city-based initiatives
2. Find if there are any existing nonprofits or other groups that are doing something similar; or anything related
3. Understand the process for filing complaints and what happens when there isn't compliance
4. Find someone in the city who would proactively try and take back these properties (condemn / eminent domain) and try to get them into the hands of new buyers / caretakers

Just some ideas to get the ball rolling.

I think this project would be a perfect way for people on this site to become active in helping preserve the few remaining structures with character and charm. But before we start thrashing around, let's try and do some legwork and determine the existing resources and avenues.