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.