Landmark Commission Minutes - 07/12/2023 LANDMARK COMMISSION
MINUTES
July 12, 2023
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Michele Derr • chairwoman
John Dickinson IN Member
Christy Graham ■ Member
Andy Lee ■'Mem'ber
Noros Martin ■ P&ZLiaison
Nadine McKown ■Vice-Chairwoman
Marcela Medellin ■ Member
Janel Ponder Smith • Member
Kinley Hegglund, City Attorney • city staff
Terry Floyd, Development Services Director ■ City staff
Karen Montgomery-Gagne, Principal Planner/HPO ■ city Staff
Christal Cates, Administrative Assistant • City Staff
ABSENT:
Joel Hartmangruber ■Member
Tim Brewer ■ Council Liaison
GUESTS:
Steve Wood, BYSP Architects ■ 1300 r"St.
Derek Brown, City of Wichita Falls ■ 1300 r^St
I. Call to Order, Introductions and Welcome
Chairwoman Michele Derr called the meeting to order at 12:04 p.m. Ms. Derr had
Commission members, staff and guests, introduce themselves.
II. Review & Approval of Minutes from: June 27th, 2023
Chairwoman Derr called for review and approval of the June 27th, 2023 Landmark
Commission meeting minutes. Mr. Noros Martin made a motion to approve the minutes,
Mr. John Dickinson seconded the motion. Minutes were unanimously approved 8-0.
Regular Agenda
III. Action Item: Design Review Modification — 1300 7th Street (City Landmark#2)
West Wing Foundation Stabilization Project Alteration:
• Removal of a Non-Original West Facade 15t Floor Window
Ms. Karen Montgomery-Gagne presented the case and stated the applicant for the City
of Wichita Falls, Mr. Derek Brown IT and Facilities Administrator, along with Mr. Steve
Wood, from BYSP Architects were present for the proposal.
Landmark Commission 2 July 12,2023
Ms. Gagne reminded the Commission of the original review and approval that was
granted from the Commission on February 2022 and a renewal/amendment on
November 2022 on the stabilization project which actually began planning/design phase
about 6-7 years ago. Ms. Gagne stated the City's auditorium building was located at
1300 7th Street and a prominent building of Spanish Eclectic style designed by architects
Voelcker and Dixon in collaboration with Dallas architects, Lang and Winchell,
Construction began in 1927 on Memorial Auditorium and its design is a duplication of
the Dallas Music Hall. The building was dedicated in 1928 and underwent a major
remodel in 1963/1964. Staff referenced visuals of the building in postcards, circa 1930-
1945 that illustrated the original central block and wings as well as photos from the 1983
city landmark nomination application, prior to historic designation. Inventory photos from
2013 showed the structure essentially unchanged, but in need of maintenance. Photos
from the Times Record News archives in 2017 showed significant damage on 1st, 2nd &
3zd floors of the west wing as well as the exterior stairs/landings spreading and shifting
concrete. A comprehensive feasibility study and building needs assessment conducted
by BYSP Architects in 2017 stated structural problems related to support columns
spreading at the bottom from years of pressure and shifting ground and the 1063/64 2nd
floor renovation/addition; concrete floor poured at that time is shifting; walls are shifting
away impacting doors, ceilings, windows, etc. in current photos, the continuing exterior
damage is visible, particularly stop-gap repairs by the exterior 2"d floor door which is
buckling under the weight of the structure. Photos shown from February 2022 showed
more visible damage and the impacts to the structural supports.
Photos provided with the alterations by the architect, showed significant structural
concerns and the possibility of water leaking in the window with it being at ground-level
if not filled in. Ms. Gagne displayed photos showing the window, noting it did have
visibility from the public right-of-way which is what would cause the modification
proposal to come before the Commission for consideration. Ms. Gagne stated when
staff and the architects reviewed original plans and photos from 1927 the windows on
the 1st and 2"d floors could not be found. It was determined the windows were added
sometime between the original construction in 1927 and the 1st remodel in 1963/64. Ms.
Gagne stated the window had already, partially been filled in due to construction
timelines and predicted rainfall. Staff recommended approval of the design modification
based on the ground floor west windows not being original to the structure (in
compliance with Design Review Guidelines Sec. 4.B-6 —Windows & Screens) coupled
with the fact that keeping the ground floor window would significantly impact the
structural integrity of the building.
Chairwoman Derr asked the applicant and architect if they wished to make a
presentation. Mr. Steve Wood, of BYSP Architects, thanked the Commission for
attending the special called meeting and stated he didn't have much to add to Ms.
Gagne's presentation, only noting at some point after the structure was originally built,
but before the remodel in 1963/64 the concrete was cut into to install windows. The cuts
made were too big and filled in with brick around the installed windows, which are now
buckling due to the alterations in the concrete. Mr. Wood advised, they would like to
restore the structure back to its original character. Mr. Wood stated he was available for
any questions.
Landmark Commission 3 July 12,2023
Chairwoman Derr asked if there were any comments from the public, and with no public
comments, Ms. Derr asked for any questions from the Commission. Mr. Martin asked
Ms. Gagne what was behind the window and what was it used for. Ms. Gagne stated it
was an office that formally housed Environmental Section of Public Works, which has
since been relocated. Mr. Martin asked if filling in the window would reduce all of the
natural light. Mr. Wood advised the Commission there would still be other windows
remaining to provide natural lighting to the office. Ms. Gagne noted that many of the
other offices located on the 1st floor had no natural lighting.
With no other comments, Chairwoman Derr asked if there was a motion. Ms. Janel
Ponder-Smith made a motion to approve the Memorial Auditorium design modification
to fill-in one ground floor, west-wing window with concrete/stucco as part of the
stabilization project as the window was not original and will prevent long-term water
access/deterioration. Ms. Christy Graham seconded the motion. The motion passed
unanimously with a vote of 8-0 in favor of the proposal.
IV. Other Business:
a) Monthly Reports
Depot Square:
Ms. Derr had no updates to give as she presented those at the June meeting, not
anticipating a July meeting.
West Floral Heights:
Ms. Ponder-Smith stated she and Kim Tigrett had been working on a letter to send
to all neighbors in the West Floral Heights H.D., titled, "The Joy of Owning a
Historical Home."
b) Resources/Periodicals:
• Medallion — Spring 2023
c) Design Review — Staff Authorized — Minor Alteration/Repairs:
• No Reports
V. Adjourn
Next regularly scheduled meeting August 22, 2023 -- 12 p.m.
Meeting adjourned at 12:23 p.m.
Michele Derr, Chairperson Date