GREEN MOUSE SAYS: This new electronic sign at St. Mary's did not receive a COA from the New Albany Historic Preservation Commission (hint: it's illegal).

There's on little thing ...

The Green Mouse has received a tip from one of his favorite contributors.

No COA (Certificate of Appropriateness) for the big (and consequently illegal) electronic sign at St. Mary's in the East Spring Street historic district. Lots of businesses and churches have been turned down for electronic signage over the years.

Before we continue, let's pile up a few backing facts. First up: yes, it's inside the boundaries of the East Spring Street Historic District.

Next: yes, the New Albany Historic Preservation Commission issues Certificates of Appropriateness for exterior work inside a designated district.

What is a Certificate of Appropriateness?

A Certificate of Appropriateness authorizes the start of any exterior work on a building in a historic district or historic neighborhood, including:

• Demolition of a structure.
• Moving of a structure.
• New construction, including additions to existing structures.
• Exterior changes affecting the appearance of any building or part of a building visible from the public right of way. The exterior changes include walls, windows, porches, roof, siding, fences, light fixtures, steps, paving and signs as well as additions, reconstruction, alteration, or maintenance involving exterior color changes.

How do I know if I need a Certificate of Appropriateness?

Ask before you proceed with exterior work. Contact the NAHPC Administrator at 812-284-4534. You may also consult the “Historic District Design Guidelines City of New Albany.” Design Guidelines are available by contacting the City Plan Department (3rd floor, City County Building), your neighborhood association, the New Albany-Floyd County Public Library or your district’s representative to the NAHPC.

And, speaking of “Historic District Design Guidelines: City of New Albany,” the sub-section about signs is fairly clear.

It's a tad disappointing that as a beneficiary of Super Tuesday's historic preservation largess distribution (and a questionable one, in my estimation), the church didn't follow COA procedures with the new electronic sign.

It will be doubly disappointing if City Hall, after these puffy days of publicly celebrating its preservation credentials, doesn't enforce the rules. After all, unequal enforcement is in many respects worse than no enforcement at all.

But maybe Deaf Gahan gave St. Mary's a "Get Out of COA Free" card. That'd be par for the course in the Chronicles of New Gahania.

Mike Kopp says: These two historic downtown buildings are about to be reborn.

Yesterday on Twitter, realtor Mike Kopp reported two downtown building transactions.

First, the former Liz at Home (with a second floor office) at 141-143 East Main, just opposite the old Abe's Rental, itself currently being renovated.

About this building, the New Albany Historic Preservation Commission tells all:

Conner Block
141 East Main Street
New Albany, IN 47150

This was originally a four-story structure, which has housed numerous businesses since its construction in 1855. The earliest tenant was John R. Nunemacher, who had his City Bookstore and publishing company here. In the 20th century, the following companies occupied the building: Rhodes-Burford Co., furniture and carpet; The Tribune Co., New Albany Tribune, New Albany Ledger and Tribune; and Karl Fenger & Son Hardware. Later, Reisz Furniture Company's 'Pilgrim Shop' sold Early American-style furniture and reproductions of Colonial pieces out of this storefront.

The drawing below shows the building circa 1890, at its original height. The building likely took on its current configuration following the 1937 flood; at that time, two other four-story buildings along Main Street were damaged and subsequently reduced to two stories.

Building Style: Greek Revival
Year Built: 1855

The second structure set for an overdue return to usefulness is the Jacob Goodbub Building at 213 Pearl Street.

Once again, the NAHPC fills in the blanks and pulls away the aluminum foil.

Jacob Goodbub Building
213-215 Pearl Street
New Albany, IN 47150

This Italianate was constructed in 1888 and was originally two storefronts. 213 was occupied by Mrs. A. Heleringer, milliner, for almost forty years. The boot and shoe business of C. Schan & Son and later Charles Hassenmiller dry goods occupied 215. By 1919, the Sample Shoe House had taken in both storefronts, and in the 1925 New Albany City Directory Louis Berlin was listed as having his general merchandise business here through the mid 1940s. Mr. Clarence Benjamin’s Fashion Shop began its long tenure here immediately following Mr. Berlin. During this time, the building was updated with a modern aluminum slipcover, which was removed in 2008 to reveal the ornate limestone detailing below.

Building Style: Italianate
Year Built: 1888

That's all we know for now. Main photos courtesy of Mike Kopp; inset photos are from the NAHPC.

Is a building permit needed to install non-historic windows in a historic district?

The status of the long neglected house next to ours has been unclear since the last occupant disappeared in early 2009. In late winter, an electrician we know was there on more than one occasion, after which lights were left on upstairs at night. The front door remains plastered with various notices of city-mandated winterizing and impending sheriff's sales, and the grass has been cut periodically by a contractor. Just yesterday we saw drywall sheets being carried inside. Coming back from the evening walk, we saw new windows on the east side of the house.

I've sent an e-mail to the building commissioner. Stay tuned.

They don't look particularly historical to me, although I'm not well versed on the topic.