Merry Christmas, Mom

Mom and I are sitting here Christmas morning. The gift opening is complete. We're planning food and visits to friends and relatives.

I made the following movies to give her a virtual tour of Downtown Durham and of 308westmain. We both enjoyed them; the movies sparked side conversations. And now, for my final gift from her, I ask that she writes something this Christmas morning to last as part of this blog. My mom.....

Thanks for my special gift. I enjoyed the time spent looking at all of the scenery downtown and hope to come visit and enjoy it with you soon. It looks like you've found a great location. I'm proud of you for upgrading this historical building. Wishing you lots of success in your venture. Love, Mom

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all.

Tour of Durham Part I: American Tobacco, Durham Performing Arts and Durham Athletic Center areas
Tour of Durham Part II: 308westmain (front, interior and rooftop)

So Many New Toys

Will gave me the drawings in PDF form and a cool application that lets me take virtual tours of the building's interior. Both great toys, but I'm too stupid to figure a way to share the information. For now, I'll make do showing this mock-up of the storefront.

My entrance will be the one on the right and the retail space will be on the left. I really like the relationship the store windows have with the sidewalk. I hope my future tenant likes it also.

Drawings, Permits and My Hero

The drawings were completed on Friday, the 12th and were submitted Monday morning to the City. Bring me positive thoughts, prayers, karma and good energy that 1) they are approved to begin construction and 2) the approval process is a short one.

And then we'll focus on whether this can come in under budget.

An excellent article was written about Gary Kueber in the News and Observer. He's sort of a local, cult hero of mine. We've exchanged emails and I think we'll meet as he wants to see the interior of 308westmain. Please give this article a read and then check out his blog if you want to see more of his great work on Durham's architectural and cultural history. There's also a link to it in the left column of this blog.

Cheers.

I'm in Love

This post is not directly related to 308westmain but certainly has a connection......

Today I felt even more a part of the community. Scott and the folks at center studio architecture invited me to be their guest at the Downtown Durham Inc. Annual Meeting. The meeting was hosted at the new Durham Performing Arts Center, making this the third day in a row that I visited (dinner with Wayne before B. B. King on Sunday - Ashley, Chris and I went to the grand opening on Monday - then this afternoon).

I'm back from that brief commercial break.

Anyhow, the meeting was very informative and renewed my interest in Downtown Durham. I learned:

• residents of downtown have grown from 180 in 1996 to 1470 in 2008. Nearly a tenfold increase in 12 years
• # downtown employees has grown from 5,851 in '96 to 13,500 today
• office occupancy rates remain in the high 80 percentile (88% this year)
• resulting from downtown's renaissance, properties increased in value an average of 135%, compared to the county average of 30% (results of 2007 reevaluation)
• folks are committed to keeping the downtown SAFE, DIVERSE and full of the arts
  

Downtown Durham: Find Your Cool (new slogan)

Most importantly, my connection to the community was deepened because of the people I met and hung out with. Thanks to:

• David Downie for his continued friendship and dedication to construction
• The folks at DDI for their vision of Downtown Durham
• Joni Madison, the outgoing DDI chair and COO of McKinney, for a moving salutation
• Congratulations to Kelli and Billy of Toast for winning this year's "Outstanding Retail Entrepreneur" award
  
• Cheers to my new friends and neighbors; Lindsay, Rachel and Nicole
  
• And finally, a BIG THANKS to Scott, David, Will, Tom, Chris and Dawn for inviting me and putting up with the noises that come from above their studio

A Building Birth Story.......Part II

In the first part of the story, Durham's Main Street grew west with my building being built circa 1907. Druggists, working for R. Blacknall, moved to my building and opened their own drug store, sharing space with a physician and an art shop. The westward movement continues......

1911
King, C. E. & Sons are the only business listed at 224 West Main (my buildings address in the early years)

The King brothers, Charles E., Charles H., and Harris L., are still living at 505 Duke Street and listed as druggists. Blacknalls Drug Store is still at 130 West Main (corner of Corcoran and Main) along with Five Points Drug Co. at the corner of Main & Chapel Hill, Main Street Pharmacy at 202 West Main and Rexall Pharmacy on the corner of Corcoran and Main. There are 16 Drug Stores listed in the Directory. Clearly this was a booming business, and perhaps one heading for consolidation.

Furniture also seems to be going through some considation because Herring & Elliott Furniture is now listed at 126 West Main. The Elliott name has moved onto the marque. It's still not tied to my building, I'm using him as the character to drive interest........

1915
My building is still labeled as 224 West Main on the Sanborn maps and Herring & Elliott Furniture Co. is listed in Directory as the tenants. H. H. Herring and B. W. Elliott are listed after the building name, maybe meaning they are co-owners. Benjamin W. Elliott lives at 905 Yancey so he's moved out of living where he works. H. H. Herring is listed as a resident of Spartanburg, SC.

Why B. W. Elliott is interesting to me is he is the great-great grandfather of Kristy, my friend and hair stylist. I've known Kristy for 17 years and even dated her for a time. She remains one of my favorite persons on this planet. Having a connection to her past gives me great pleasure.

C. E. King and Sons are listed at West Main corner Market. I'm not sure which corner, but I suspect what is now known as the Temple Building. Charles H. and Harris L. are still listed as proprietors.

1919
Now my building takes on its current address of 308 West Main. Elliott Furniture Co. (not Herring and Elliott) is listed as the tenant. B. W. is noted as sec-tres, with H. H. being the president.

Benjamin W. moved his home to 114 E. Geer.

1923
Elliott Furniture Co. has moved to 416 West Main. H. H. and B. W. are still proprietors.

Benjamin C. Woodall Sporting Goods moved into 308 West Main.

The building is 15 years old and Durham is growing. The building was home to 3 shops; druggists, furniture and sporting goods. Not an exact parallel to my life but oh well. I've got enough information now to decide how to brand the building.

A Revised Building's Birth Story

Today the Durham Performing Arts Center opens with a show by B. B. King. The weather is "cold and rainy"; hopefully it won't dampen the mood of the evening (I crack myself up).

Tom (the architect) discovered from the Sanborn Maps that my building wasn't always addressed as 308 West Main. In its first 10ish years, the block west of Corcoran was the 200 block, with my building being at 224 West Main. So, here's the Directory search information for 224 West Main, including my cross-references of the business/persons names......

Summary:
From the Directory it appears my building was built pre-1907 and post-1905. The druggists who were employed at R. Blacknall & Sons on on Corcoran and Main in 1905 moved a block west and started their own pharmacy in my building pre-1907. They gave the business their family name. In 1907, the building also contained a physician, an art shop and a person of unknown profession. I've got later years information that I'll save for another post.

Now here's the detail for those freaks like me:

1903
224 West Main was not listed. Nor was "B W Elliott or Herring". (stay with me on the names, they start to make sense in the coming years)

Searching on King I found:
King, Charles E (Haywood and King), home 505 Duke
King, Charles H, drug clk R Blacknall and Son, home 503 Duke
King, Harris L, druk clk R Blacknall and Son, home 503 Duke

Searching on Blacknall I found:
R. Blacknall and Son, Druggists, northeast corner of Main and Corcoran Sts.
I even found some ads so maybe this was a big, important business in town. It was certainly on a prominent corner of the community, what is now a vacant lot.

1905
224 West Main was not listed.

Searching on Elliott I found:
Elliott, Benjamin W, mngr Herring Furniture Co. home 126 West Main

Searching on Herring I found:
Herring Furniture Co, 126 w Main, B W Elliott mngr - phone 473 (so BW lived where he worked?)
I also found this list of salesmen, including some with the "colr" notation. This denotes "colored" which at times had a seperate listing in the Directories.
Cannon, Joseph P (colr); Case, L Baseom; Robinson, W Prince; Thompson, Wade W (colr); Walsh, William E (colr)
I don't know when integrated workforces began in the south, but it seems Herring Furniture Co had one.

1907
Searching on 224 West Main reveals:
Durham Art Shop (Owen Z Wren, William S Marten)
Felts, Robert L. physician home 409 n Mangum
King, C E and Sons (Charles E., Charles H., and Harris ), druggists - phone 106
Woodard, Charles A

So, the building dates 1907 and its first collection of merchants were physicians, druggists and an art shop.

Searching on Elliott reveals:
Elliott, Benjamin W, mngr Herring Furniture Co., home 126 W Main (so he still lived where he worked)

Searching on Herring reveals:
Herring Furniture Co., 126 W Main and East Durham, B W Elliott mngr

Searching on King reveals:
King, C E and Sons (Charles E., Charles H., and Harris L.) druggists 224 W Main - phone 106

Herring and Elliott become part of my buildings history in later years. I'll write more about them in the future, as well as cross-reference the above with the Title search Lynn ran. Gotta run now so I can meet Wayne before he heads off to the show.....

Alert: Progress in Progress

We met yesterday to review "Permit Drawings".

David, Scott, Tom and I met yesterday for a long, 6 hour session. It was rough but I'm happy with the outcome. The drawings are complete enough for two purposes: accurate pricing and building permit.

The estimate I currently have is a ballpark that enabled me to get a loan. I've got the loan. Now, the fun starts. David will use these drawings and price each area accurately. If we're still in the ballpark, we're good. If the new pricing doesn't fit in the budget, we get to lower quality or remove items to make the project fit in budget. In the current economy, I'm a little nervous.

Of course, nothing moves without building permits. These drawings will go to the city folks for approval and permit so we can begin construction. Current plans have us starting work in 3 weeks.

It was hard writing this with my fingers crossed.

The Waiting is the Hardest Part

"Wait. Design. Pay Interest. Wait. Design. Pay Interest."

Queue Jeopardy music.....

"What is the progress stage of 308 West Main, Alex."

There seems to be progress but none to write about. We meet for our weekly Tuesday meetings and discuss material, elevation and other details of the floor plan. When complete, they go before engineering and the city for approval. Hopefully I then get permits and work begins. Until then, there's nothing much to write about.

The waiting is the hardest part
Every day you see one more card
You take it on faith, you take it to the heart
The waiting is the hardest part

The Wall

With tribute to Roger Waters & David Gilmour:

Hey you, standing in the road
always doing what you're told,
Can you help me?
Hey you, out there beyond the wall,
Breaking bottles in the hall,
Can you help me?
Hey you, don't tell me there's no hope at all
Together we stand, divided we fall.

The artwork Brian painted on the door reminds me of the the screaming face from The Wall's album artwork. I don't think it was intentional 'cause I never mentioned Pink Floyd during the painting session. Weird.

Anyway, it's complete and I think very cool (or as David's 12 year old daughter said "beast"). I hope the rest of the city thinks so too.

Alive with the Sound of People

Brian and David came up with a great idea on Friday - "Paint the Storefront".

So yesterday, Brian is on the street soliciting folks to stop and decorate the plywood that is the temporary barrier of the building. And folks did. Kids would paint and then giggle with glee; spraying paint all over themselves and parent. A father stopped by to see what we were doing and then asked if he could go home and get his family. Four teenagers spent 2 hours painting flowers, characters, slogans, lyrical lines and "The Hendrix Company" slogan. Even Otis, a white poodle mix got in the action. Brian painted a picture of Otis on the temporary door and Otis signed his approval with his paw prints. In RED! The paint is water soluble but poor red footed Otis. What fun.

David is coming back today to bring his daughter. He'll put up scaffolding and paint the top portion that couldn't be reached from ground level. I'm suspecting a different kind of art today. Yesterday's was "real" because of the fun it gave to people. I suspect today's will be more "professional". I'm sitting here on Sunday morning and can't wait to see what they come up with.

This really is brightening Downtown. I hope others agree.

More History/There's Friedman's

Most of the demolition is complete. The storefront is coming down. Pulling up the wood planks that were the entrance reveals this tile walkway.

Appraisal Returned

The appraisal came back today and was very near the amount that I needed it to be. This means the bank will loan me the money needed for construction. So, onward toward Building Permits and City Approvals.

The appraisal process was interesting: no buildings in the downtown core have been built, refurbished and then resold. So, what's the basis for the folks performing the appraisal to make their estimates? This posed some challenges. In the end, the building's appraised value = Purchase Price (approved during purchase loan) + Construction Cost.

I've been reassured that NO buildings for sale after refurbishment is a good thing for me as it shows the building is a good investment and will climb in value. I'll know in time.

Demolition is nearly complete. The visual impact of removing the "stuff" is significant. The space looks cool. Very cool. But it also looks empty and the task to make it seem like a home appears more daunting. I'll take some pictures this weekend.

Pre-Demolition Photos

Danny Mac came through with some photos just days before demolition began. Here's the link to all of them. I'll pick a few to comment on, especially as progress gets underway.

This one is from the 3rd floor, front of building looking toward the back. In the far back, left corner you can see a handmade staircase that goes up to the rooftop. The hatch door leaked and allowed rain to come down the stairs. I'm hoping to not find extensive water damage. Of course, the rooftop gets major repair.

The stairway down that you see will be patched and become the approximate location where you will come up from the floor below (opposite direction). I am standing in what will become the hallway. The closet and bathroom will be along the left wall. The bedroom will be in the back. Danny is taking the photo from what will become my office/study/rec room. Somewhere in this space will be a cutout to the floor below, creating a loft. This was located in the front where Danny is standing, but the city won't allow if I intend to apply for tax credits.

Construction Loan Approved

Friday, I got the following from my banker:

Increasing the loan.....was approved contingent upon the building appraising......... I'll get (them) started on the appraisal tomorrow.

I guess I should be concerned the building won't appraise for the loan amount, but that would be valuable (though disappointing) news. So, I'm counting this note from my banker as a major milestone along the project path.

Harrington Bank has been convenient to deal with. These are uncertain times in the US regarding real estate loans. I'm finding Harrington cautious, which they should be, but also liberal. Not having a large governing board seems to allow them to process work close to the customer. I suppose it should always be that way but it isn't. Go Harrington!

Toilets and Dumpsters and Permits, Oh My!

I've been excited to find a toilet before, but never for this reason. The arrival of the toilet and dumpster means demolition work begins full-force......

A Good Week for Travel

I was gone all week for my real job. It was a great week on that front; many positive decisions and a renewed interest for me to focus on "entitlement".

Not much happened at 308westmain though I did receive this positive note from David on Friday:

The dumpster and the out house will be set on site this coming Monday. We will start the demolition full force on Tuesday.

Spot stopped by today. We lucked out and got to tour the Penny Furniture space with Cynthia, the owner. Her place is awesome. Seeing the metal staircase with cable rails helped me to envision how excellent my space will look if I can afford the rooftop opening. The open treads allow light (and dust) to fall through. I hadn't thought of the bonus of metal treads not requiring dusting. I hate to dust.

Spot and I finished up with lunch at Toast-Five Points. Yum!

Work Begins......sort of

Demolition contracts signed. Self-Help consulted and location for dumpster and toilets are confirmed. I'm added as an endorsement to the contractors insurance policy. City plans are being drawn up to decide what portion of the front sidewalk can be blocked for purpose of barricade once the front comes down.

The work that goes on behind the scenes to get to complete major milestones is significant. I'm glad Scott is so diligent and is working on my behalf.

Unknowns that must become knowns before the end of demolition phase.....

• Access to back entrance and rain water management
• Construction loan details
• Where (if) to move the loft space
  

It seems opportunity for tax credits will be reduced if I continue with the plan to cut-out the third floor near the front of the building. Historic preservationist are concerned the "loft" will be visible from the street (it will) which would conflict with the period look. So, I need make some decisions about tax credits and possibility to move the loft to another portion of the interior.

More soon when actual demolition begins.

Demolition Permit Granted

Permit submitted and approved. Demolition contract will be signed tomorrow. Work should begin very soon.

Danny Mac took a bunch of photos today of the interior. I will find a way to host some of the photos for posterity sake. Dan had spent time inside 308 when it was a dance club. There's a photo of he and Kelli on the cover of a local newspaper that I'd love to find. Anyway, he didn't quite remember Ringside looking as it does today. That's unfortunate on many levels. But, mostly today because Ringside was once a vibrant part of the Triangle scene.

Even though I've had a couple of months to adjust, it still seems like a daunting series of tasks to turn this space into a home and business.

Contractor Selected

I selected David Downie of Apperception Design-Build as my contractor. It was not an easy decision.

We interviewed 4 businesses, viewed their ideas/proposals and discussed the project. Each group was represented by good people. Each had unique skills and areas to bring to the project. In the end, I selected David because of his 1) dedication to turning old into new, 2) taking one job at a time, 3) hands on approach to the build and 4) "spiritual" presence when talking with him.

Check out David's webpage to see some of his past residential work. I'm excited to see he has experience creating loft condos out of historic buildings. Wikipedia has a definition of Apperception.

Title Searches

Lynn Harder did some Title searches yesterday. While the information is interesting, it unfortunately did not get me closer to the name I'll attach to the project. "The Radcliffe" might win by default......

Detail for posterity (not interesting, so read at your own risk). I need to research these parties to find anything interesting about them:

• No record of how John Sprunt Hill acquired the property but he did own it. This is interesting because John Sprunt Hill married into the Watts family (American Tobacco family) and built many buildings in Durham/Chapel Hill including the Carolina Inn. His bank later became CCB. This information is exciting to me, but since he owned so many properties, mine is not unique and can't acquire his name.
  
• 17APR 1905 - John Sprunt Hill to E.P. Wharton.
  
• 30JUN 1905 - E.P. Wharton to Southern Real Estate Company
  
• 17MAR 1906 - Southern Real Estate to E.J. Parrish. Might be Parrish of Parrish Street. Interestingly, the property was sold for "that for and in consideration of the sum of ten ($10) dollars and other goods and valuables....".
  
• 24FEB 1912 - E.J. Parrish to H.H. Herring
• 17APR 1918 - H.H. Herring to James S. Perry and devised by said James S. Perry to Mary Susan Perry, now Sudie Barbee Lindsey (whatever that means)
• 27JUN 1956 - Sudie Barbee Lindsey to Trustee for Sudie Barbee Lindsey (The Depositors National Bank of Durham). Perhaps part of a will?
• Then it seems to go into the hands of Alice Lee Barbee Perry because
• 23JUN 1967 - North Carolina National Bank (successor by merger to the Depositors National Bank of Durham) to Alice Lee Barbee Perry. Deed says, "was devised to Alice Lee Barbee Perry by Last Will and Testament", so perhaps Alice Lee got the property some years later when she became an adult?
• 08JAN 1979 - Alice Lee Barbee Perry to George C. Love, Jr.
• 15JAN 1998 - George C. Love, Jr. to Owen D. Wade
• 15JUL 2008 - Owen D. Wade to Barry Radcliffe. This is the date of the Deed filing, closing was actually on 12JUL 2008
  

History of Durham: from 1907 Directory

"Thirty years ago an insignificant village with a population of some five hundred. To-day a city of twenty thousand inhabitants; containing more wealth, larger manufacturing enterprises and greater school facilities than any other city in the State of North Carolina."

I found this Preface from the Durham Directory to be an interesting account of the history of Durham: considering Durham to be a "result" of the Civil War.

Directory accounts are provided by Durham County Library as part of the North Carolina Collection.

Found: First Tenants of 308 West Main

A search of the Durham Directory from 1903 reveals the business listed at 308 West Main to be Standard Mercantile Co. Here is the page from that Directory (click to enlarge). Earlier Directories do not list this address, and instead stop at 302 West Main (the corner of Market and Main). Perhaps the street didn't extend west past Market until 1903.

My research didn't find much about "Installment Houses" other than they appear to be loan companies for personal merchandise; unlike banks who loaned for business reasons. Would like to know more.

Raymond J. Davis was the proprietor of Standard Mercantile Co. and lived at 418 Warren. I tried to find more, but the business was gone from this location by 1905. I found a Raymond J. Davis listed as manager of Masters & Agee Co. of Charlotte, NC., some years later. Perhaps he continued moving south and west?

The 1905 Directory shows William J. Carter, an electrician, to be running a business in my building. Later in 1907, two business owners are listed at 308 West Main: Benjamin T. Tingen, a confectioner whose home was at 111 Jones; and Jacob H. Wheeler, a shoemaker who lived at 209 Morris.

I hope to find someone to run a title search for the land in these early years. That will complete some of these stories.

I DID discover the answer to what comes after "ELLIOTT" on the back of the building. Stay tuned.

Curb Appeal

(click images to expand)

Here is the current design plan for the new storefront. Ideas of interest to me:

• Downstairs storefront extended out to walkway, opposed to recessed in current design
• Symmetrical and clean appeal
• Offers maximum natural light into the downstairs space

Ideas worth exploring:

• Large area of windows may create maintenance challenges
• What awning, window shading is appropriate
• Offers maximum natural light into the downstairs space (is it too much?)

I'm a fan of the old-school awnings that roll out/retrack with a hand crank. Of course, I won't be responsible for that daily task. Would my street level tenants want the flexibility to affect the amount of light, while accepting the responsibility to move the raise/lower the awning as appropriate?

If it takes a village to raise a child, maybe that can apply to my building. I'd like your thoughts on the storefront. Please feel free to use the comment button and provide me yours.......

Contractors Interviewed

Hey mom, I enjoyed our conversation last night and am glad your able to read the blog.

Interviews with the 4 contractors ended yesterday. I met some good folks and feel as if each will bring something unique to the project. Each contractor is scheduled Friday to present their ideas & plans. Soon after we select a contractor, organize permits/dumpsters, and begin demolition. I'm looking forward to Friday. A contractor's experience will bring a needed perspective to our planning and design.

Juggling time off for the building project, plus immersing myself in a new project at work is an art I hope I'm performing with success on both sides.......

2nd Floor Windows

Here's a view of the 2nd floor windows. The window casings and sashes all need replacing. Replicating 100 year old craftsmanship will require some magic, but are worth historical restoration.

This space will be my living room with a view of Main Street and the neighbors across the street.

Meet the Neighbors

I visited the neighbors yesterday to introduce myself, find out about them and briefly discuss the easement/alley and parking. I'll be excited if they consider me a part of their little community.

Self-Help is a community development lender/real estate developer who assists folks underserved by conventional markets. Since 1980, as a non-profit, they have assisted female, rural and minority borrowers to build wealth through ownership of home or business. They were part of the early redevelopment of Asheville, NC. I love Asheville and trust Self-Help's presence in Durham will have similar positive results.

(thus endeth my first commercial interlude)

Self-Help owns every piece of property on the block except for my 308westmain. EVERY other piece. They also own the art-deco'ish building across the street that I will look upon from my front windows. They manage the waste removal since the city doesn't service the block. They own all the parking spaces near and adjoining my building. And they own the structure that currently "impedes" access to a rear portion of my building that is currently slated to become a door (see Easement). Self-Help is my big brother.

I wonder if I should bake them brownies......

Approval Granted

We received City Government approval to remove the existing storefront:

I now have the authority to approve the removal of the storefront administratively. I will send you the COA today. - Steve

This is good news toward two related details: 1) I can remove and reinstall space more usable and 2) changing the storefront still may allow for receipt of tax credits.

Negotiations are still ongoing on what the storefront will look like.......

The Mystery of the History

"W. R. Murray, a powerful man, closed in on his assailant, and taking a revolver shot him, inflicting a wound that caused death...".

My building uses what is called "shared walls", meaning the exterior wall of the building next door becomes the interior wall in my space. In my case, plaster was put over the brick to create clean walls for my building's occupants.

On the third floor of my place, above the rafters, you can see what appears to be an advertisement that had been painted on the wall of the building next door (306 west main) when it was an exterior wall. You can make out "W. R. Murray and Co." at the top with wording underneath that is mostly covered by plaster and framing, making it difficult to decipher.

A quick online search today reveals _W.R. Murray and Co._ was a music store in town. With that clue, I think the letters from left to right near the plaster appear like PIANO. Another search of the NY Times archives reveals that a W.R. Murray, who owned a music store in Durham, was involved in an incident where he killed his uncle with a revolver over a business dispute. If this turns out to be true, uncovering the plaster on my walls might be uncovering a bit of Durham history.

For now, time wasted as I still don't know about my building's history.....

Hercule Poirot out.

Easement

The brick filled window on the left, ground floor will be opened to provide me rear private access to my space. But, notice the concrete slab and balcony post from the neighboring building blocking the lower portion of the door. More considerations. More consultations. I meet with the folks later this week who own the slab and will update you on that conversation.

Send me an email or make a comment on the blog if you think you can decipher the words between the 2nd & 3rd floors. It appears to be a sign painted that might be a clue to building owners or occupants.

Repeating History

Oh, how I want to replace the existing storefront. I think it a face only a parent could love. Since I'm the parent and I don't love it, my child is under investigation for cosmetic surgery.....

A plug here for the architect, Scott; he likes the existing storefront. Maybe one needs a trained eye to appreciate its uniqueness.

We met today with City/State preservation experts to advise us on the possibilities of a building face lift. There was some risk they could tell me I MUST refurbish and leave the existing structure. This seems a more remote response after today's meeting.

Historic preservation of street facing facades seems to fall under consideration of two guiding principles: 1) existing structure is deemed historic if greater than 50 years old and 2) "pre WWII" structures come under significant approval rigor before granting renovation allowances.

We've confirmed my existing storefront was built after 1942; perhaps in the 50's or 60's by the Friedman's Jewelry family who operated out of this location. We can also confirm the "original storefront" was NOT recessed. This provides some confidence I might be able to put it back nearer its original configuration and have some flexibility in the design. But, for now it goes back to the City Preservation counsel for consideration and future guidance.

Meanwhile, I can not start demolition on the storefront. My considerations pending counsel review:

• existing storefront renders approximately 200 sq. ft. of space useless for modern commercial/retail business requirements
  
• maintaining historical integrity is important to me - the definition of "historical" will be interesting
  
• interior ground floor needs more light which would occur by removing recessed entrance
• eligibility and receipt of Historic Tax Credits may swing possibilities for my future renovations
• I'm not in love with the existing storefront (this needs mentioning often)
  

Check out the folks at endangereddurham. They do a great job of digging up property history and photographs of the Downtown Durham area. Here's a link to their review/photographs of my building (308westmain).

It's Official

Downtown Durham has a new building owner. Last Friday, I purchased the building formerly known as Ringside or Boxer's Ringside or Friedman's. Well, I financed the building formerly known as......purchased implies ownership and that applies to my friendly, neighborhood banker.

Anyway, a search for a new building name is underway. I need help in finding the original owner or occupant. I hope to market the building name back to its origins. "Don't forget where you came from" as Aunt Jannie used to say. Advice that's often useful and sometimes forgotten.

I intend this blog to document my progress. I suppose it will be more for my own catharsis, though I hope my mom and friends also find it useful.

Welcome to my journey.