Thanks to those who admonished me for not posting and/or to those who encouraged me to start up regular posting. This will be the first of more to come. I promise.
First, news of the building
Well, there's nothing much new to post. We are still awaiting State and Federal approval on the design. I desperately want to start hearing hammers. They call to me. But, the windows, storefront and new (old) window cut-outs have to be first. And, without State approval on the plans I might either 1) need to redo work or 2) lose out on tax credit opportunity. I'm not so much interested in either; so no meaningful construction right now.
I have uncovered a potential way for me to get capital and a real-estate professional to lower their tax burden. If you know of anyone in the real-estate business that wants to make about 20% on their money......send them my way.
Next, ramblings about nothing (most of you can stop reading)
I still love living in an urban environment. Sunday brunch, coffee and NY Times reading has become a regular event for me and friends at Parker and Otis. I continue to meet people who live in the downtown core and are excited by the potential, while remaining challenged by ways to integrate smartly. The Durham Station opened on Monday. A very European style transportation facility makes me excited about Durham's future and vision. There's talk of a "circular route" for short trips around the Duke/Downtown core. I would love to take the bus for a grocery run. Count me as one who would use the service.
One of my favorite bloggers took part in an urban design and planning exercise in Raleigh with leaders from the Triangle urban and rural centers. This was one of my favorite reads in a long while (including the NY Times articles on how crappy our economy is and will be). You must check it out, especially if you live in the area (defined by Burlington to Zebulon). It also has interesting principles about the challenges of collaboration. Speaking of Cisco.........
Work is going excellent. I (we) are succeeding on a project that I've been working for the last 6 months. But mostly, I'm learning just how challenging it is to work collaboratively. I'm too stubborn at times and at others I should be even more stubborn. I must find ways highlight the important areas and let go of the chaff. 'Tis hard for me though, because caring brings passion and then even the little stuff matters. So, because work is hard it is good. And, I'm thankful to have meaningful work right now.
I hope this for all of us.
Ciao.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Thursday, December 25, 2008
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.....
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)
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, MomMerry 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)
Saturday, December 20, 2008
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.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
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.
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.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
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:
Most importantly, my connection to the community was deepened because of the people I met and hung out with. Thanks to:
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
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
Monday, December 1, 2008
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.
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.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
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.....
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.....
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