Historic District Commission to look over several certificates of appropriateness at todays meeting

News-Times
News-Times

Several Certificates of Appropriateness, including a new-construction project, will be considered during a regular El Dorado Historic District Commission at noon today at the Newton House Museum, 510 N. Jackson.

COAs are required for most exterior projects that will change the historic and architectural character of properties within the city’s commercial historic district.

Architects from CADM Architecture, Inc., are expected to present COAs for a new construction project and a restoration project.

Blake Dunn and Matt Roberts are on the EHDC agenda to discuss a long-running project by Virginia-based real estate developer Pete Dunn to add residential space in the Social Security Building 103 E. Main.

Pete Dunn, no relation to Blake Dunn, has launched several restoration projects in El Dorado in recent years — including the Armstrong Building, which houses PJ’s Coffee, the El Dorado Creamery and other offices; the El Dorado Federal Center; and plans for the old Warner Brown facility.

An initial presentation called for the Social Security Building, a non-contributing property within the commercial historic district, to be converted into a mixed-use property, with commercial space on the first-floor and extended-stay guest quarters on the upper level.

Architectural plans now call for the demolition of the existing building and new, infill construction on the site.

The proposal is one of few demolition COAs the historic commission has handled since it was formed more than a decade ago.

The most recent included the former LeCroy Taylor building on the corner of Jefferson and Locust, which was razed earlier this year upon the request of the Murphy Arts District

The CADM architects will present a second COA for Smart Revocable Trust, 313 E. Main, on behalf of property owners Dr. Steve and Michelle Smart.

The building formerly housed the El Dorado News-Times and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as a contributing structure.

Contributing structures must be at least 50 years old and not have been significantly altered from their original appearance.

The proposed work includes restoration on the Carrera pigmented glass on the exterior of the building and is intended to protect the historic character of the building.

A post-COA request is expected to be presented by Buddy McAdams,, of Boomtown Properties, LLC, for the former Internal Revenue office building at 113 S. Washington.

Work has already begun on a project to restore the masonry and storefront facade, which includes the glass windows.

A related COA application pertains to signage for Cole’s Jewelers at the 113 S Washington site.

Commissioners are also expected to hear specifications on plans for directory signage for the ATM at BancorpSouth drive-through bank at 101 E. Cedar.

Commissioner Jon Robbins, who is also vice-president/mortgage loan officer at BancorpSouth, first told the commission about plans for the project last month.

The meeting is open to the public.

Tia Lyons may be contacted at 870-862-6611 or tlyons@ eldoradonews.com.

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