A proposed solution:
Why doesn't the City take the cost difference between asphalt and slate - $90,000 from the demolition budget and 'loan' it to the owners of the Moss House. The city could then lein the property for the amount loaned and it would be paid back, interest-free, whenever the property sells. This is no different than spending the money on a demolition, however, the chances of recouping costs have to be that much better than when it's spent on a demo and the property itself will be worth that much more as it will have been properly preserved using historic materials. Not to mention, a viable structure will continue to add to the tax coffers moreso than an empty lot. This would be a positive use of the funds and would help preserve our history rather than demolish more of it. Everyone would win then and the Moss House owners would continue to enjoy the patronage of their restaurant that the house itself draws. C'mon Vince Capell - show the citizens of Saint Joseph how much you love our community and its history and that you are willing to invest in it!
Penelope Kress
September 19, 2007
Harvey Ellis's Moss House
was given the go-ahead by our throughly-"knowledgeable" City Council to RUIN its integrity with an asphalt roof without ANY documentation whatsoever that proved it couldn't be repaired. This action flies in the face of the Landmark Commission who denied the application. So much for local landmark district protection!
No amount of intellegent reasoning, knowledgable advocates, or even the legality of the city council's action stopped them from making an uneducated decision with respect to our historic architecture. They let it get personal, didn't ask for ANY documentation, and threw aside the reasonable decision made by the Landmark Commission. In Saint Joe, the Wild West is still alive and strong as the law is changed on a whim and in-place policies and procedures are shoved aside for personal friends. Protection of our local landmark districts has been thrown in the garbage along with coveted historic materials.
Moss House, east elevation, Museum Hill Local Landmark District
posted September 17, 2007
Penelope Kress