New Albany is a state of mind … but whose? Since 2004, we’ve been observing the contemporary scene in this slowly awakening old river town. If it’s true that a pre-digital stopped clock is right twice a day, when will New Albany learn to tell time?
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Photo essay: Neglect.
We were walking down Main Street past a decaying group of buildings owned by a respected local professional, and Diana said, "I've never understood why people don't take care of their buildings."
My wife and I ate at Studio's--I blogged about that experience--yesterday and we walked in front of the buildings located in the last couple of pictures. My wife absolutely loves the buildings but we then noticed that the building was completely full of plant growth. Look in the windows some time.
Also, the lack of windows in the furniture warehouses is a definite eye sore. The buildings that are downtown that have windows are some of the best looking buildings that you can find but then to see the neighboring building with boarded up windows is just disheartening. I wish there was an ordinance against boarding windows. If they don't want people to see in, put up drapes or period blinds.
When we consider that some of those boarded up windows might contain original New Albany plate glass, it's a civil crime to me and well, if we had lawyers who worked in the public interest (which we don't by the way) then maybe we could seek historic protection for all the original glass still left in town. I'm hoping that the years of boarding up have actually worked to the preservationists advantage by preserving some of that original plate glass behind those hideous boards. Do we need to do a plate glass awareness campaign?
These buildings are in local historic districts, so any exterior changes require a COA from the city's preservation commission. The design guidelines on windows discuss glass and boarding up windows.
Of course, historic review tonly comes into play when the owner seeks to make certain exterior changes.
On the flip side, the state enabling statute and local ordinance also prohibit demolition by neglect of historic structures, which could apply to a few buildings in town, but since I'm not a public interest lawyer, I won't link them for you.
Ok, fine (you missed G's dig at lawyers, Highwayman):
These apply if a neglected building is in one of our locally-designated historic districts:
(City of New Albany Ordinance) § 151.11 MAINTENANCE. (A) Historic buildings, structures, and sites shall be maintained to meet the applicable requirements established under state statute for buildings generally so as to prevent loss of historic structures, historic materials, and historic components, as well as the deterioration of important character defining details and features.
[...] (Ord. G-99-334, passed 6-28-99)
( From the state enabling statute) 36-7-11-15. Standard of maintenance of historic buildings.
Historic buildings shall be maintained to meet the applicable requirements established under statute for buildings generally so as to prevent the loss of historic material and the deterioration of important character defining details and features.
HISTORY: IC 36-7-11-15, as added by Acts 1981, P.L. 309, § 30; P.L.227-1997, § 16.
Good info Brandon - thanks. Not surprisingly we've looped back to the lack of enforcement of building codes etc. Yet more short-sightedness. Yes, in the short term owners of historic buildings will pay more for upkeep, but the not so longer term is community investment in actual local resources (yes! there still are some) that will lure more investment that will slowly raise our tax base. But I know Roger has been flogging this dead old house for years.
We were walking down Main Street past a decaying group of buildings owned by a respected local professional, and Diana said, "I've never understood why people don't take care of their buildings."
My wife and I ate at Studio's--I blogged about that experience--yesterday and we walked in front of the buildings located in the last couple of pictures. My wife absolutely loves the buildings but we then noticed that the building was completely full of plant growth. Look in the windows some time.
ReplyDeleteAlso, the lack of windows in the furniture warehouses is a definite eye sore. The buildings that are downtown that have windows are some of the best looking buildings that you can find but then to see the neighboring building with boarded up windows is just disheartening. I wish there was an ordinance against boarding windows. If they don't want people to see in, put up drapes or period blinds.
When we consider that some of those boarded up windows might contain original New Albany plate glass, it's a civil crime to me and well, if we had lawyers who worked in the public interest (which we don't by the way) then maybe we could seek historic protection for all the original glass still left in town. I'm hoping that the years of boarding up have actually worked to the preservationists advantage by preserving some of that original plate glass behind those hideous boards. Do we need to do a plate glass awareness campaign?
ReplyDeleteThese buildings are in local historic districts, so any exterior changes require a COA from the city's preservation commission. The design guidelines on windows discuss glass and boarding up windows.
ReplyDeleteWindow design guidelines
Of course, historic review tonly comes into play when the owner seeks to make certain exterior changes.
On the flip side, the state enabling statute and local ordinance also prohibit demolition by neglect of historic structures, which could apply to a few buildings in town, but since I'm not a public interest lawyer, I won't link them for you.
Brandon, I've always said that about you (not!)
ReplyDeleteBrandon,
ReplyDeleteApparantly I missed something but if you have links to information that would help educate us, PLEASE SHARE!!
Ok, fine (you missed G's dig at lawyers, Highwayman):
ReplyDeleteThese apply if a neglected building is in one of our locally-designated historic districts:
(City of New Albany Ordinance)
§ 151.11 MAINTENANCE.
(A) Historic buildings, structures, and sites shall be maintained to meet the applicable requirements established under state statute for buildings generally so as to prevent loss of historic structures, historic materials, and historic components, as well as the deterioration of important character defining details and features.
[...]
(Ord. G-99-334, passed 6-28-99)
( From the state enabling statute)
36-7-11-15. Standard of maintenance of historic buildings.
Historic buildings shall be maintained to meet the applicable requirements established under statute for buildings generally so as to prevent the loss of historic material and the deterioration of important character defining details and features.
HISTORY: IC 36-7-11-15, as added by Acts 1981, P.L. 309, § 30; P.L.227-1997, § 16.
Good info Brandon - thanks. Not surprisingly we've looped back to the lack of enforcement of building codes etc. Yet more short-sightedness. Yes, in the short term owners of historic buildings will pay more for upkeep, but the not so longer term is community investment in actual local resources (yes! there still are some) that will lure more investment that will slowly raise our tax base. But I know Roger has been flogging this dead old house for years.
ReplyDeleteBrandon, I still think you need to quit hanging around at the HPC meetings, thumbing your nose at the "public interest".
ReplyDeleteSeriously, let it be known that I, for one, appreciate your volunteerism. As demonstrated here, it's a thankless job.
Ok! Thanks for the info and KUDO'S for your participation!
ReplyDelete