It appears that the owner wanted to demolish the building and develop the site with one- or two-family homes. The Planning Division's compromise, to which the owner has allegedly agreed in principle, is to offer some vacant, city-owned parcels of land in exchange. Officials have discussed
The resolution up for discussion Monday is for the governing body to authorize a request of $63,750 in Union County Open Space, Recreation & Historic Preservation funds for stabilization of the Lampkin House. The amount is $28,750 less than an earlier proposed request in 2011 that the City Council rejected.
Overall, the new approach appears well thought out and viable. It will be up to the council to ask any lingering questions about the plan.
In 2011, it came out that the city had never requested any money before from the fund, which is generated through taxes. Given the city's great interest in historic preservation, surely this fund should be an asset to be tapped. The next administration will hopefully become cognizant of all grant sources that can be used to advance city plans and take steps to get in line for the money.
--Bernice
This is a drop in the bucket compared to what it will cost to rehab - especially to period. Where does the rest of the money come from?? It was in very bad shape before and during Hurricane Sandy a large tree fell on it causing additional structural damage. Another Plainfield project that fails before it even takes off.
ReplyDelete5;39pm, I believe that the entire 4 staged restoration plus the green acres development is estimated to total just slightly over 1 million.
ReplyDeleteThis 1st stage is essential and urgent with the alternative of tearing the building down. The land swap will be beneficial to the city and plans are for obtaining additional grant funds to progress step by step.