The Crum and Forster Building comes before the Urban Design Commission (UDC) again this Wednesday, September 24th, 4pm, City Hall.
This issue was previously presented to the UDC on August 27th for nomination for Landmark Building status and was unanimously approved. However, due to a technicality, this presentation must be repeated this Wednesday, Sept. 24th. Although not critical, it would be great to have supporters in the audience.
Urban Design Commission Meeting
Wednesday, September 24th, 4 p.m.
City Hall, City Council Chambers
55 Trinity Avenue SW, Atlanta, 30303
(Plan to arrive early; Crum Forster is first on the agenda.)
During the former presentation the GT Foundation made it clear that they still seek the demolition permit for this elegant building and intend to focus on appealing the denial of the demo permit by the City of Atlanta. The upcoming meetings in November address these issues. Your support at these meetings will be critical.
November 21, Board of Zoning Adjustment (BZA):
GTF will present its appeal of its denied demolition permit.
November (TBD - either Nov. 6th or 13th), Zoning Review Board (ZBA):
Crum and Forster will be presented to the Board for review of Landmark Building status.
Again, thank you for your interest and continued support!
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Landmark status update
According to Jim Auchmutey's article on 8/27, Atlanta's Urban Design Commission voted unanimously to landmark the Crum & Forster building. But the Georgia Tech Foundation is appealing the earlier decision to reject their application for a demolition permit. That hearing will come before the Board of Zoning Adjustment on Nov 21.
There will be more meetings still, on two tracks it seems: 1) fighting the appeal of the denial of the demolition permit, and 2) going through the landmarking process with Zoning and the City Council.
Preservation is a lot of work!
There will be more meetings still, on two tracks it seems: 1) fighting the appeal of the denial of the demolition permit, and 2) going through the landmarking process with Zoning and the City Council.
Preservation is a lot of work!
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Date of Public Hearing
Karen Huebner's letter to the GTF had the incorrect date for the public hearing. It's actually going to be held on Wednesday, Aug. 27 at 4 p.m. in City Council chambers.
Be there!
Be there!
Monday, July 14, 2008
Demolition Permit Denied!!!
On Friday the City of Atlanta, in the face of strong public opinion, denied the GTF's application to demolish the Crum & Forster. Further, the city will pursue landmark status for the building and nothing is allowed to be touched on it for 180 days. A public hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, August 23, 2008.
Here's the letter from the Urban Design Commission, reprinted from Maria Saporta's article:
July 11, 2008
Mr. Mark W. Long, Secretary Georgia Tech Foundation Real Estate Holding Corporation 760 Spring St., NW, 4th Floor Atlanta, GA 30308-1028
NOTICE OF INTENT TO NOMINATE
Dear Sir:
This office has been informed that the Special Administrative Permit (SAP-08-24) for the property located at 771 Spring Street, NW, has been denied by the Bureau of Planning.
Due to its historic, cultural and architectural significance, and in accordance with the City of Atlanta’s Historic Preservation Ordinance (see enclosed), Section 16-20.005(b) of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Atlanta, this letter constitutes official Notice of Intent to Nominate the Crum & Forster Building and the real property located at 771 Spring Street, NW, Land Lot 80, in the 14th District (hereafter referred to collectively as the “property” and as shown on the enclosed map, which is incorporated herein by reference). This property is proposed for nomination to the zoning category of Landmark Building/Site (LBS). The property is currently zoned SPI-16 (sub area 1) The Zoning Committee may modify this nomination to another category as provided by Section 16-20.006(b).
You are hereby further advised that the Urban Design Commission of the City of Atlanta will hold a public hearing regarding this proposed nomination on Wednesday, August 23, 2008, beginning at 4 p.m. This hearing will be held in the Atlanta City Council Chambers, Second Floor, City Hall Complex, 55 Trinity Avenue, S.W., Atlanta, Georgia. Also enclosed is a copy of the Commission’s Rules of Procedure that will be used during the hearing. The owner(s), or his or her representative(s), will have a reasonable opportunity to present testimony and other evidence concerning the historical, cultural and architectural significance of the property, or lack thereof. The public will also be allowed a reasonable opportunity to be heard, and may present testimony or other evidence regarding the same considerations.
Please be further advised that, in accordance with Section 16-20.005.C. of the Code of Ordinances, the property herein referenced is protected and controlled by these regulations to the extent provided by that category of protection to which it has been nominated. This protection begins on the above date of this Notice of Intent to Nominate and continues for a maximum of 180 days. During this interim development control period, no alterations of any kind are permitted on this property unless the required Certificates of Appropriateness for such alterations have been secured from the Urban Design Commission of the City of Atlanta.
You are invited to carefully read the enclosed Historic Preservation Ordinance. This Notice of Intent to Nominate is the first step in the process of reviewing the property for possible nomination and designation to one of several categories of historic protection. The Urban Design Commission staff is in the process of preparing a detailed report on this property, which will be available for public review approximately ten days prior to the public hearing referenced above. After the public hearing, the Urban Design Commission will decide whether or not to nominate your property for designation to a category of historic protection. If the Commission nominates the property, the Zoning Committee of the Atlanta City Council will introduce an ordinance to designate the property to the appropriate category of historic protection. That ordinance will then go through the City’s procedure for all zoning papers, which includes another public hearing before the Zoning Review Board prior to final designation action by the Atlanta City Council.
For further information or questions concerning this matter, please contact the Urban Design Commission at 404-330-6200.
Very truly yours,
Karen Huebner Executive Director
Attachments 1. Atlanta Historic Preservation Ordinance 2. Map of the Property 3. Urban Design Commission Rules of Procedure 4. Economic Incentives Summary
cc: James Shelby, Deputy Commissioner Department of Planning and Community Development & Acting Director Bureau of Code Compliance
Ibrahim Maslamani, Director Bureau of Buildings Ann Heard, Chief Zoning Enforcement
Here's the letter from the Urban Design Commission, reprinted from Maria Saporta's article:
July 11, 2008
Mr. Mark W. Long, Secretary Georgia Tech Foundation Real Estate Holding Corporation 760 Spring St., NW, 4th Floor Atlanta, GA 30308-1028
NOTICE OF INTENT TO NOMINATE
Dear Sir:
This office has been informed that the Special Administrative Permit (SAP-08-24) for the property located at 771 Spring Street, NW, has been denied by the Bureau of Planning.
Due to its historic, cultural and architectural significance, and in accordance with the City of Atlanta’s Historic Preservation Ordinance (see enclosed), Section 16-20.005(b) of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Atlanta, this letter constitutes official Notice of Intent to Nominate the Crum & Forster Building and the real property located at 771 Spring Street, NW, Land Lot 80, in the 14th District (hereafter referred to collectively as the “property” and as shown on the enclosed map, which is incorporated herein by reference). This property is proposed for nomination to the zoning category of Landmark Building/Site (LBS). The property is currently zoned SPI-16 (sub area 1) The Zoning Committee may modify this nomination to another category as provided by Section 16-20.006(b).
You are hereby further advised that the Urban Design Commission of the City of Atlanta will hold a public hearing regarding this proposed nomination on Wednesday, August 23, 2008, beginning at 4 p.m. This hearing will be held in the Atlanta City Council Chambers, Second Floor, City Hall Complex, 55 Trinity Avenue, S.W., Atlanta, Georgia. Also enclosed is a copy of the Commission’s Rules of Procedure that will be used during the hearing. The owner(s), or his or her representative(s), will have a reasonable opportunity to present testimony and other evidence concerning the historical, cultural and architectural significance of the property, or lack thereof. The public will also be allowed a reasonable opportunity to be heard, and may present testimony or other evidence regarding the same considerations.
Please be further advised that, in accordance with Section 16-20.005.C. of the Code of Ordinances, the property herein referenced is protected and controlled by these regulations to the extent provided by that category of protection to which it has been nominated. This protection begins on the above date of this Notice of Intent to Nominate and continues for a maximum of 180 days. During this interim development control period, no alterations of any kind are permitted on this property unless the required Certificates of Appropriateness for such alterations have been secured from the Urban Design Commission of the City of Atlanta.
You are invited to carefully read the enclosed Historic Preservation Ordinance. This Notice of Intent to Nominate is the first step in the process of reviewing the property for possible nomination and designation to one of several categories of historic protection. The Urban Design Commission staff is in the process of preparing a detailed report on this property, which will be available for public review approximately ten days prior to the public hearing referenced above. After the public hearing, the Urban Design Commission will decide whether or not to nominate your property for designation to a category of historic protection. If the Commission nominates the property, the Zoning Committee of the Atlanta City Council will introduce an ordinance to designate the property to the appropriate category of historic protection. That ordinance will then go through the City’s procedure for all zoning papers, which includes another public hearing before the Zoning Review Board prior to final designation action by the Atlanta City Council.
For further information or questions concerning this matter, please contact the Urban Design Commission at 404-330-6200.
Very truly yours,
Karen Huebner Executive Director
Attachments 1. Atlanta Historic Preservation Ordinance 2. Map of the Property 3. Urban Design Commission Rules of Procedure 4. Economic Incentives Summary
cc: James Shelby, Deputy Commissioner Department of Planning and Community Development & Acting Director Bureau of Code Compliance
Ibrahim Maslamani, Director Bureau of Buildings Ann Heard, Chief Zoning Enforcement
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Front Page News!
Our little building made the front page of the AJC today! Here's a link to Jim Auchmutey's story.
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
GTF issues statement
Regarding the Crum & Forster building, today the GTF issued the following statement:
Kudos to the GTF!
Statement on 771 Spring Street by the Georgia Tech Foundation July 9, 2008
As previously stated, the Georgia Tech Foundation is continuing its efforts to consider all options concerning the property located at 771 Spring Street. To that end, the Foundation has engaged Surber Barber Choate & Hertlein Architects, Inc., an Atlanta firm specializing in Historic Preservation and Urban Infill projects, to further study the potential rehabilitation of the building and the possibility of incorporating it into the Technology Square expansion. Their initial report should be available for review no later than the first week in August.
The Foundation’s stated goal of expanding Technology Square in support of Georgia Tech’s long range strategic plan remains a priority. Community leaders will continue to be included in discussions to help determine what is most appropriate for the expansion as was the case with the planning process for the development of the original Technology Square project. A major part of the success of Technology Square has been attributed to the interaction between Georgia Tech and community leaders.
Kudos to the GTF!
Friday, June 27, 2008
DRC Votes to Oppose Demolition
Maria Saporta's AJC article lists the highlights from last night's DRC meeting.
Like every other neighborhood meeting at which Tech has presented its case, board and audience members expressed strong opposition to the proposed Crum & Forster demolition. Georgia Tech students, faculty, and alumni spoke eloquently and passionately, urging the Georgia Tech Foundation to save the historical building.
Notably, the director of Georgia Tech's architecture program, Ellen Dunham Jones, offered the resources of her school to help the GTF find other alternatives. Aaron Fowler, the Graduate President of Tech's student government, also urged the GTF to consider adaptive reuse, a core component of Tech's City Planning curriculum. I hope the irony of this isn't lost on anyone: the GTF's mission is to "assist the Georgia Institute of Technology in its role as a leading educational and research institution". When two leaders of that institute must use a public forum to urge the GTF to stop "assisting", something is very wrong! By not being open about their requirements for the space, the GTF is embarrassing itself, alienating the Midtown community and diminishing the academic reputation of the institute its mission it is to protect.
So the DRC will recommend to Atlanta's Planning Board not to issue the demolition permit. Will that recommendation be enough to save the Crum & Forster?
Like every other neighborhood meeting at which Tech has presented its case, board and audience members expressed strong opposition to the proposed Crum & Forster demolition. Georgia Tech students, faculty, and alumni spoke eloquently and passionately, urging the Georgia Tech Foundation to save the historical building.
Notably, the director of Georgia Tech's architecture program, Ellen Dunham Jones, offered the resources of her school to help the GTF find other alternatives. Aaron Fowler, the Graduate President of Tech's student government, also urged the GTF to consider adaptive reuse, a core component of Tech's City Planning curriculum. I hope the irony of this isn't lost on anyone: the GTF's mission is to "assist the Georgia Institute of Technology in its role as a leading educational and research institution". When two leaders of that institute must use a public forum to urge the GTF to stop "assisting", something is very wrong! By not being open about their requirements for the space, the GTF is embarrassing itself, alienating the Midtown community and diminishing the academic reputation of the institute its mission it is to protect.
So the DRC will recommend to Atlanta's Planning Board not to issue the demolition permit. Will that recommendation be enough to save the Crum & Forster?
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