Pondering Preservation in Theory and in Practice
As we celebrate National Preservation Month this May, it seems important to contemplate what the word “preservation” means in this context. Merriam-Webster defines preservation as “The act, process, or result of keeping something alive, intact, or free from damage or decay.” In the context of historic buildings and neighborhoods, some take the word to mean buildings or neighborhoods not changing or that the buildings or neighborhoods are somehow frozen in time. The universal truth, however, is that man-made things that are not being changed, maintained, or updated are in a state of dying. This is certainly true for buildings and neighborhoods.
The complexity comes in when “people” are applied to the equation. People have lots of opinions. There are about as many opinions as there are people. Sometimes, the people who together own a piece of property do not agree with one another about what to do with the property! The latter situation is when buildings really suffer. But even neighbors might not agree with what another neighbor does to their building. People may not value a building because of what it represented in the past. People may not have the money to care for the building. The reasons for differing opinions are probably endless.
Governments have developed a variety of tools to provide some mediation in these matters. There is zoning. There is an architectural review process in historic districts. There are HOA covenants in subdivisions. There is a municipal property maintenance code. Sometimes there are grants. By and large, communities do a pretty fair job of keeping the peace.
Recently, the Architecture Review Board was faced with a hard choice. The early 20th-century building at 54 N. Cedar Street is, by all definitions, endangered. Parts of it were torn off sevenish years ago. The house is wide open on multiple fronts. The city has cited the owners for code violations. The owners don’t value the building. In its present location, it would probably be cost prohibitive to bring it up to code, as the rent would not justify the investment. The owners applied in early 2023 to demolish the little house. Through the years, people have tried to buy or be given permission to move the structure. All efforts have failed for various reasons.
Then, someone is able to work out a deal with the owners to move the building to a new lot. They propose to renovate and add onto the structure to make a modern house for the 21st century. They have hired an architect respected in the historic community. The historical record shows that the house was moved to the site in the mid-twentieth century. What to do?
Well, the ARB approved the request. When faced with a set of inopportune choices, they chose the route that most assured the renovation and occupancy and preservation of the little house.
A few blocks to the east sits the Chighizola House at 6 S Franklin Street. This house, estimated to have been built in the 1840s, appears to have been vacant and used as storage for nearly 100 years. It has never had a power meter, according to APCO. The only plumbing is at the same place on the site as the outhouse shown on the 1855 Sanborn map. The place is like a step back in time.
By all accounts, this building is endangered. A brick wall is bowing. Brick window headers are falling out. The holes in the roof are numerous. In 1972, Elizabeth Gould wrote this about the building for the city’s landmarks inventory: “This could be restored and would be a very interesting structure, but it will have to be rescued fast, for it is deteriorating to the point of no return.” Let me point out that was written 54 years ago! These 19th-century brick buildings are much stronger than we give them credit for having.
Today, LeMoyne Properties LLC purchased 6 S Franklin Street from Historic Mobile LLC. The new owner has already begun the permitting process for the stabilization permits. It looks like the Chighizola House is finally on its way to having a new life in the 21st century.
Preservation is hard, but gosh, it is wonderful when things finally come together and a newly renovated building is opened.
Elizabeth P. Stevens
President & CEO
Note: For a look at seven (7) buildings under construction in Downtown Mobile, join the Downtown Mobile Alliance for the Happy Hour Hard Hat Tour on May 15. (Purchase tickets at the link in the article above)