The Historic Preservation Commission and a community member have about 4 1/2 months to decide the fate of a historic Columbus building.
The Columbus City Council was scheduled to hear an appeal from Margaret Henry, regarding the demolition of the building at the corner of Main Street and Seventh Street North, but was informed by City Attorney Jeff Turnage the Historic Preservation Commission had to work with Henry for 180 days on negotiating a compromise to stave off demolition of the building which recently housed Studio 260.
The 180 days, he said, began when Henry submitted a request for demolition, about six weeks ago.
The Historic Preservation Commission earlier denied Henry”s request.
“The Historic Preservation Commission is very opposed to having the building demolished or actively allowed to deteriorate, which is what is being done,” said Sarah Labensky, a Columbus business owner and member of the Historic Preservation Commission.
“During the 180 days, the commission should attempt to find another funding source to renovate it,” Turnage suggested.
Henry explained the building was “severely damaged” in a storm about a year ago.
“The family realized it would take a great deal of money to bring it to a state where we could rent it,” she said. “The family does not feel we have the money to invest in it for the long term.
“There is a great deal of sentiment attached (to the building),” she added, noting it was built about 100 years ago and is an “example of an Italian villa.” “The last thing in the world we want is to tear it down.”
Henry noted an “interested party” who may buy the building and restore it.
“I”m grateful we have some time,” she said. “I hope we can save it, because I do think it”s a part of Columbus.”
Other business
In another matter, the council awarded the city”s recycling contract to Triangle Maintenance Service LLC, the company which previously held the contract with the city and Lowndes County.
The three-year contract, which expires Nov. 2, 2012, is the same as the previous contract, said Columbus Mayor Robert Smith, noting the county will pay $56,000 for recycling services and the city will pay $56,000, with a 25 percent rebate — about $500 for each — to be provided to the city and to the county.
Triangle Maintenance Service and Mississippi Industrial Waste Disposal both submitted requests for proposals for the city”s recycling contract.
During Tuesday”s meeting, the council also approved installation of a stop sign at the intersection of Third Street South and College Street, appointed Quinn Brislin to the city”s zoning board of adjustment and appeals, reappointed Annette Savors and Lance Conn to the Columbus Planning Commission and appointed William Wood to a three-year term on the Columbus Planning Commission.
The council also appointed Ernest Brown to the city”s tree board and reappointed Smith to the Golden Triangle Waste Management Authority board of directors.
