Historic Landmarks Commission

MORGANTOWN HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMISSION August 16, 2017 The meeting was called to order by Jeanne Grimm in the absence of the president at the Public Safety Building at 7:02 pm. Attendance: Jeanne Grimm, Bill Kawecki, Rodney Pyles and Kathy Hanko . Shannon Tinnell was absent. Our guest was Paula Scott, Architectural Historian from the Mills Group It was moved and seconded to accept the minutes. Motion carried. The meeting began with an update on the Suncrest Survey by the Mills Group. Paula shared with us her recent involvement with the project. The Architecture and Historic Intensive Survey Report has been redone and will be reviewed again. Comments will be given to Paula by the end of the week due to a very short deadline. At this point we discussed what we want to do with the information that we collect. The group was asked to consider that and return next month with suggestions including the need for publications. One suggestion was a booklet for each of Morgantown’s historic districts and the stone walls constructed by the WPA on public property. Another possibility is to nominate deserving properties for historic designation such as the BOPARC Administration building in Marilla Park. It was noted that there is nothing new on the Walnut Street streetscape project. Jeanne said that the Chancery Hill grant application was submitted on August 4th. Bill Kawecki was asked to check on whether our projects still need to be approved by City Council or can the Commission take care of it now that we have a budget. Plans are going well for the Realtor Workshop on August 24th with 31 people registered plus members of the Commission. Bill will check on arrangements for refreshments with the church. Jeanne is working on the brochure which will include pertinent information and maps of the historic districts. Bill Kawecki had very helpful suggestions on content. City Council has signed the papers for the construction of the pedestrian bridge over Decker’s Creek and returned them to the WVDOH. SHPO has also given their approval. There are no new plans for the Warner Theater property. We are waiting for the plans to materialize.  On Phase II of the Stone Wall Project, Jenny Boulware and Mike Gioulis met on August 7th to develop a work plan. After a preliminary windshield survey, they found a larger number of walls than had been expected. No decision has been made regarding the historic marker that remains in the basement of the Courthouse. Bill will check with Bobby Doyle to get access to it to review its present condition. The condition of the South Walnut Street brick street was called to the attention of the City’s engineer because of many asphalt patches. We have been told by the City Manager that it will be restored to full brick in the next construction season. The group discussed what to do to help remedy the City’s inability to find several copies of our meeting agendas and minutes. Bill and Kathy will send copies of the ones they have to Heather Carl at the Manager’s Office. With no other business before the Commission, the meeting was adjourned at 8:13 pm. Submitted by, Kathy Hanko Secretary