At our upcoming City Council meeting this week (Tuesday, November 23rd) a motion will be before the Council that concerns the future of the Cummins-Grill Homestead. The Cummins-Grill Homestead includes a house and its adjoining land. It was purchased by the City in the 1980’s to preserve the land for future park uses. The house came with the land. It was purchased through the federal Land & Water Conservation (LAWCON) grant program.
The City has been trying for twenty years to maintain and renovate the house to preserve its historic standing. It’s been tough going. Since its purchase, City staff estimate that the City has spent upwards of $240,000 on the house, and would need to spend at least $500,000 more (by architect’s estimates) to properly preserve the house.
The Council is concerned about that number. $500,000. The Council believes the public may not be supportive of such a large financial investment in this property. On the other hand, the Council is not supportive of having the house razed.
Options? Options, anyone?
At the Council workshop on November 9th the Council discussed one. It’s called adaptive reuse, and the Council liked it. The City has one successful adaptive reuse project under its belt: It’s the Dunn Brother’s Coffeehouse at the historic Smith-Douglas-More House. By most measures, that project was a success. The Council would like the City to see if a similar success can be produced at the Cummins-Grill House.
The Council will consider a motion at the November 23rd Council meeting directing staff to prepare a plan for the private commercial adaptive reuse of the Cummins-Grill Homestead. If approved, City staff will start working on this project in 2005.
There are many obstacles, but I believe an adaptive reuse of the Cummins-Grill House that preserves the historic character of the house and minimizes future City investment in the property is possible. We’ve got a goal and a model. It might take the better part of 2005, but I think we can do it.
