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Century Historic District Homes To Be Repaired, Rebuilt Following Tornado
August 11, 2016
The Century Architectural Review Board gave approval Wednesday to the repair or replacement of almost 30 percent of the residential properties in the Alger-Sullivan Historical District, which has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1989.
The historic district includes 45 buildings on about 230 acres, and is roughly bounded by Pinewood Avenue, Front Street, Jefferson Avenue, Church Street and Mayo Street. Numerous structures in the historic district were damaged or destroyed by the EF-3 tornado that struck Century six months ago.
The Architectural Review Board approved the rehabilitation of four properties — 541 Church Street, 7611 Mayo Street, 601 Mayo Lane and 410 Front Street. They board also approved the demolition and reconstruction of nine properties — 300, 307, 402, 403, 407, 416 and 426 Front Street; and 301 and 351 East Pond Street.
Several of the properties have been approved for SHIP — State Housing Initiative Program — funds, while others are still awaiting approval in what has been a slow process, according to Mayor Freddie McCall.
“A lot of people have wanted to know if I knew what the hell I was doing,” McCall said of the SHIP funding process, which has been managed by Escambia County. “This has been held up on red tape that I have nothing to do with.”
Many of of the funding delays, according to county officials, have been related to legal problems with improper deeds and other incomplete documentation.
Now that the Century Architectural Review Board has signed off on the properties, plans next go to the Century Town Council for approval next Monday night and will next be reviewed by state officials due to the historic district status of the properties.
Pictured above and below: Four of the historic district homes on Front Street that will be demolished and replaced. Pictured bottom: Members of the Century Architectural Review Board (L-R) Gary Riley, Helen Mincy and Edna Earle Barnes. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Comments
4 Responses to “Century Historic District Homes To Be Repaired, Rebuilt Following Tornado”
A lot of factors in play here and depending on your perspective, this can mean different things to different people.
I hope the so called red tape is about to be cut. People need clear communication and truth about their options so they can chose their next course of action with dignity in Century.
One thing that I think that is misunderstood, as evidenced with the turmoil surrounding the Sunday House in Pensacola is the simple fact, just because it is historic and collectively meaningful, the responsibility lies with an owner. If you want to save a structure you have to BUY it and yes, put money into it and do things to make it insurable.
That’s why so many “historic buildings” in our county are law firms and doctors offices.
Although tax breaks are available, it is often for income producing properties.
As far as this in Century, I feel for the people hoping and waiting. I hope they get a clear cut truth about the matter Monday night at the council meeting.
@ Concerned Citizen
You got that right. Nobody cared for or about these poor old buildings until FREE MONEY becomes available.
No way these places can be brought up to Code and made safe to habitat.
Tear them down, build new structures that meet all the current and possibly future requirements of Code.
Who would be chosen to live in the structures and how could they maintain them?
@Concerned citizen
I agree prior to the tornado in the historic district and around town, it looked like many shacks needed and need to come down more than ever to me. Although there are gems among the dilapidated ones. To me this looks like a step to get them condemned, and if the owner decides to rebuild it will be to the character of the period. I think in Century in the district, if local gov would enforce laws like code enforcement and people simply use a bit of pride about curb appeal such as no junk on the front porch, the area could be gentrified. Some of the two story homes on Jefferson could be brought to a former glory but it takes an OWNER to spend the funds and insure it, Possibly rent them out for a tax break.
I know this seems like cold hard facts but it seems like to just have the government come in and rebuild and hand them to the owner is too good to be true. I may be wrong.
To me SHIP funds are a complicated process and are often loans and down payment assistance.
To me, anyone helping to navigate any process for the homeowners is going above and beyond, many areas hit by disasters are simply bulldozed over and people are on their own.
If this Grant comes in to rebuild, I will be amazed. I supposed the people NOT in the historic district will call foul.
Watching and waiting.
Some of these “Historic” homes are not much more than dilapidated roach nests. For what it costs to keep refurbishing these old buildings wouldn’t it be more cost effective in the long run to dozer it down and build a modern energy efficient new house? They all look like piles of accumulated patchwork. Put the nostalgia in your scrapbook and help somebody improve their standard of living. I find it obscene that we as a country spend to build nice new schools and roads in the Middle East while our own citizenry lives in squalor.