First, Curmudgeon is still mulling over the recent meetings
and is probably going to shock a whole bunch o’ readers by saying the
Curmudgeon agrees with Councilman Jay “Heartburn” Manning where the proposed
Animal Shelter is concerned. More on that later. I hear the gasps of shock now.
It is a CRYING SHAME that the city’s one bit of history is
on the sales block and NO ONE has purchased it after being on the market for
almost TWO YEARS.
The leadership of Copperas Cove, of recent years, has been
reticent at caring for any of the history of the city.
The city OWNS A PIECE OF TEXAS HISTORY – AN ACTUAL TEXAS HISTORIC
PLACE – and yet the council has done NOTHING TO PRESERVE IT other than let it
sit on the sales block year after year.
THREE YEARS AGO – almost to the day today -- Joseph Pace,
the city’s Parks & Recreation Director, gave a presentation about Allin
House, at 401 North Main.
THREE YEARS AGO, Mr. Pace gave an estimate of $25,000 to see
to the repairs at Allin House. And the council accepted it.
Has ANYONE such as the COPPERAS COVE CITY COUNCIL requested
the city to look into grant funding to repair this building?
Here is a DIRECT QUOTE from Chapter 442.001 of the State
Code where the historical commission is concerned:
(b) The commission may use distributions from the Texas
preservation trust fund account to provide financial assistance to public or
private entities for the acquisition, survey, restoration, or preservation, or
for planning and educational activities leading to the preservation, of
historic property in the state that is listed in the National Register of
Historic Places or designated as a State Archeological Landmark or Recorded
Texas Historic Landmark, or that the commission determines is eligible for such
listing or designation. The financial assistance may be in the amount and form
and according to the terms that the commission by rule determines. The
commission shall give priority to property the commission determines to be
endangered by demolition, neglect, underuse, looting, vandalism, or other
threat to the property. Gifts and grants deposited to the credit of the account
specifically for any eligible projects may be used only for the type of
projects specified. If such a specification is not made, the gift or grant
shall be unencumbered and accrue to the benefit of the Texas preservation trust
fund account. If such a specification is made, the entire amount of the gift or
grant may be used during any period for the project or type of project
specified.
HAS ANYONE had the wherewithal to apply to the state for assistance in taking care of
this?
Or does no one want to mess with it?
So, three years later, one of our city’s sole pieces of
history has sat unused, on the sales block for two years, with NO ONE apparently seeking what
to do with it.
A cryin’ shame...it has been neglected severely and I would
not be surprised if the historical marker be pulled by the Texas Historical
Commission. It is embarrassing.
Why isn’t Allin House used, or repaired?
Out of sight, out of mind.
If I were a descendant of the Allin family, I would be embarrassed
and ashamed of what the CITY OF COPPERAS COVE has allowed to happen to this structure.
“We don’t rent it out that much” Mr. Pace said at the time.
Why? THREE YEARS AGO, it was not marketed. No one seemed to
care. And evidently no one still cares.
Please, look up the video and watch it:
It is the 5 May City Council Workshop. It is not long.
At that time, Mr. Pace said the back outdoor staircase needed
to replaced, the back door needed to be redone. Some glass was broken in a back
window, a wood-framed window which by historical standards must be
deconstructed, new glass put in, and repaired. The wood lattice on the back porch
needed repairs. A few stones in the front walkway need evening out. The place
needs a good coat of paint on the outside. A bit of termite damage on some of the
porch, but at that time, Mr. Pace didn’t think it had gotten to the structure
of the house.
He gave an estimate from at least one contractor, who said
about $25,000 to fix it all – a much better figure on the city’s capital improvement
plan of $120,000 where the house was concerned that would have included new
roof when the tie came.
At that time he offered several options, fix, sell, or give
away.
He also said the local Texas State Historical Commission rep
could help the city find resources for repairing it.
Or, city staff could do repairs.
At that time one councilman, Mr. Duncan, called it like a boat,
nothing more than a hole to throw money in it.
Councilwoman Marty “Andrea Gardner’s so mean” Smith said that she didn’t think
anyone one buy it because no one would want to fix it.
Councilman Lack, still on council now, didn't sound like he wanted to mess with it.
Councilman Mark Peterson said to sell it as-is, where is.
CURMUDGEON’S QUESTION IS:
HAS ANYONE IN THE LAST THREE YEARS TAKEN A LOOK AT THAT HOUSE TO SEE IF THE TEXAS STATE HISTORICAL COMMISSION COULD COME AFTER THE CITY FOR NEGLECT, AND IMPOSE FINES AND/OR PENALTIES?
Because that’s what we have here, folks.
Neglect.
We have NEGLECTED to take care of our history and our OBLIGATION to the State of Texas.
But, typical of the city fathers, let’s ignore what we personally don't want to bother with.
Mayor John Hull at that time worried about what else might be found wrong in the house.
Y'all, fix up what ya got! You know things will pop up. Deal with it. And the longer it sits, the worse it gets....
Three years later.....
Again, it’s embarrassing.
Why talk about a "past" council three years ago?
Because:
THE CITY OF COPPERAS COVE CAN NOW BE PENALIZED AND FINED FOR
NEGLECT OF THIS BUILDING.
And the present council is holding the bag for it. Get a little proactive, guys.
One councilman alone, Matt Russell, was reluctant to sell it
at that time because citizens had thought it was important enough to be
designated.
ALLIN HOUSE NEEDS A CHAMPION.
ALLIN HOUSE IS A PRIME EXAMPLE OF THE NEGLECT TO A
BUILDING.
And now, here’s the listing for it.
Anyone got a spare $175 grand? I’d come in with a lower bid because
the building has sat for years untouched and the $175 grand is a bit of a
stretch.
Wonder how many offers the agent has received?
>>crickets>>
Curmudgeon out.
I bet I don’t get many Facebook shares on this one. It’s
sad, really. But it’s a sad truth.
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