HSF SAVES 1881 VICTORIAN FROM DEMOLITION

 

Historic Savannah Foundation is set to purchase 214 Park Avenue this summer to prevent its demolition.  The Foundation responded to both residents and the City of Savannah's concerns that the Victorian house would be lost. 

The two-story Carpenter Italianate house with a one-story gingerbread porch was built in 1881 by Robert T. Spencer as a single family home.  This parcel includes a side garden on the east.  The house was converted into two apartments in about 1934 and remained under the ownership of the Spencer family to date.

 

The house was damaged in a fire in 2002 that claimed the life of its owner/occupant, Mrs. Adra C. Davis, granddaughter of the original owner. It was her father, a master plasterer and cement finisher, who build the concrete copping that surrounds the property, according to local relatives.  214 East Park is a contributing structure within the Savannah Victorian National Register district.  According to HSF executive director, the structure is also significant as evidence to Savannah diversity and to a family's enduring commitment to a community.

 

The Foundation seeks to begin a major site clean-up and stabilization later this month in cooperation with Chris Thompson of Details Restoration, Inc. and John Moore of  Pier and Beam, LLC. 

 

HABITAT PROJECT COMES TO LINCOLN STREET

HSF joins Coldwell Banker Platinum Partners and Coastal Empire Habitat for Humanity (CEHFH) to celebrate the construction of the newest home in the Lincoln Street Initiative area.  The Groundbreaking for 216 East 33^rd Street was held on Thursday, July 19, 2007. Connie Farmer Ray, of Coldwell Banker Platinum Partners will make a special presentation.

 

Coldwell and CEHFH extend a special invitation for HSF members and supporters to attend.  CEHFH executive director Virginia Brown said, "We are thrilled to return to downtown Savannah and invite you to join us as we build a new home for a Chatham County family in partnership with Coldwell Banker Platinum Partners and the Historic Savannah Foundation."   Recognition will be given to other neighborhood partners.

 

This home and its design represents a joint effort between Institute of Classical Architecture and Classical America (ICA) and Habitat for Humanity International for create compatible yet affordable designs for use in historic neighborhoods. The Habitat Savannah Board has approved the construction budget earlier this month.  Architect Murray Barnard and CEHFH have applied for the construction permits that are expected prior to the groundbreaking.  Volunteer crews are already being scheduled. Due to the overwhelming interest in this project, Mrs. Brown urges HSF members and supporters who wish to volunteer during the construction to contact HSF staffer Melissa Jest as soon as possible.  She anticipates that all available workdays on this project to fill by the middle of August.  The project itself is expected to run from September to November

 

THE LINCOLN STREET INITITATIVE

 

Historic Savannah Foundation's 2004 initiative in the Lincoln Street area of the Thomas Square Streetcar National Register Historic District seeks to promote historic preservation as "a culture of preserving people, property and sense of place" by implementing various preservation techniques, by encouraging resident participation and by recruiting responsible investment."

The Lincoln Street Neighborhood Initiative will achieve its overall goal of improved livability by:

• Targeting a specific area rather than one property or resource in order to multiply its positive results.
• Preserving the existing residential character attractive to buyers seeking a strong sense of community.
• Recruiting responsible developers who seek to connect to existing synergies and encourage housing diversity, which ensures project success.