Committee Minutes
Grand Forks Historic Preservation Commission
1405 First Avenue North
P. O. Box 13876
Grand Forks, ND 58208-3876
701-772-8756
Prior to the meeting members met at St. Michael’s Hospital and Nurses’ Residence
(813 Lewis Boulevard) to review the status of the flood wall.
Meeting Minutes
October 9, 2007
7:00 p.m.
City Hall
Present: Marsha Gunderson, Chair, Caprice Benoit, Chuck Flemmer, Gordon Iseminger,
Ted Jelliff, Cory Lien, Gerad Paul, Dale Sickels, Sandy Slater, Dave Vorland
Others: Kermit and Melody Cariveau; Kevin Severson, RRVCA; Mike Yavarow, GF Engineering Dept.; Peg O’Leary
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m.; a quorum was present.
Motion:
to approve the minutes of the Sept. 25, 2007 meeting as presented. (Slater, Benoit)
Motion carries.
St. Michael’s Hospital and Nurses’ Residence
– Mike Yavarow
Yavarow gave a condensed history of the flood protection project as it affected St. Michael’s, which included the various difficulties (historic buildings, ground slippage, safety codes) and the solutions considered (move the buildings, raze the buildings, go through the buildings, go behind the buildings, etc.). He stated that the 2” gap between the buildings and the deck of the flood wall constitutes a safety hazard and Engineering would like to close the gap using two methods. On the nurses’ residence a rigid belting material will be affixed to the deck and extend over the gap; it will not touch the building. On the hospital they want to use MetaZeal, a closed cell pre-formed expansion joint seal, manufactured by Chase Construction Products,
which would fill the gap completely and could be raked slightly to direct water away from the building. The lifespan of the joint material is 25-50 years. Gunderson noted that the gap exists because the original agreement was that nothing would touch the buildings; the belting is attached only to the flood wall but the expansion seal would be attached to the flood wall and the wall of the hospital. The expansion seal and the fixative are supposed to come off without harm to the stone, if and when that is necessary. The fixative is a product called Serva-Bond #1, also provided by Chase Construction Products for use with this expansion seal. Serva-Bond #1 is a two component, 100% solid, modified epoxy adhesive designed for bonding MetaZeal to cured concrete, masonry and steel.
Motion:
to concur that the use of the materials described, in the manner described, will not adversely affect St. Michael’s Hospital and Nurses’ Residence. (Benoit, Flemmer)
Motion carries.
Iseminger noted that there is a metal chimney on the building that destroys the historic looks of the building. He wondered if the Housing Authority could be approached about doing something to mitigate its appearance.
Red River Valley Community Action
– Kevin Severson
1212 University Avenue; built 1935 – The owners propose using a federally subsidized loan to replace existing wood shake siding with new rough-sawn-cedar-appearing vinyl siding to match existing; add 3/8” insulation under siding; to install metal fascia and soffit; wrap windows and door trim; install new gutters and downspouts; remove and replace exiting roofing with new asphalt 3-tab shingles; remove existing and install new vinyl window units in three second story openings on the sides and rear of house; remove and replace existing basement windows with new vinyl units; level brick footings and adjust support beams to level out porch; remove entry stoop and install new pre-cast (if available) concrete steps to front porch; install two metal hand rails on front porch; various interior work not affecting the exterior appearance of the house. General discussion ensued determining: all other windows on the house have already been changed to vinyl/metal; the existing wood shake siding seems to be original to the house and is in poor condition (knot holes popping, loose boards, broken boards, doesn’t seem to hold paint); the vinyl siding would mimic the appearance and reveal of the existing shake siding; existing eave detailing would be covered by new fascia and soffit; new windows would be 6/1 lights; new basement windows will be the same size and configuration as existing; the new front stoop will probably have to be poured concrete since it is unlikely they will be able to find pre-cast to fit; and the replacement roof would be quality 3-tab asphalt shingles. Flemmer noted that the house is on a high-visibility street and these alterations are a concern. Benoit said a heavy oil-based primer followed by high-quality paint has worked on her garage, which was in similar condition when painted more than five years ago. The owner noted that they need to install insulation under the siding because it is nearly non-existent now.
Motion:
to concur with a determination of no adverse effect for the work at 1212 University Avenue
if
the new siding has the appearance of rough-sawn-cedar, the new upper-level windows are 6/1 lights, the soffit and fascia are painted and left uncovered to view, and other work is performed as described. (Sickels, Jelliff)
Discussion: Benoit expressed concern about the siding replacement. The eligibility of the house was considered: it would not be individually eligible for the National Register but it probably would contribute to a district, however, the neighborhood is mixed in age, style, and levels of integrity and no district is ever likely.
Motion carries unanimously.
1726 11th Avenue North; built 1955 – The owners propose using a federally subsidized loan to remove and replace roofing shingles; remove and replace wood shake siding with new vinyl double four or vinyl shakes by Nailite; install metal fascia and soffit; wrap all door and window trims; add ½” insulation under siding (house and garage); install gutters and downspouts (house and garage); install new metal combination storm doors at front and side entries; replace patio door with new vinyl clad door to match existing; install egress vinyl clad windows to the east and west basement bedrooms; install metal hand rails to the front steps (both sides); install pre-hung steel door in front entry; replace and widen driveway; and interior work not affecting the exterior. The front door is already a steel replacement door. Members described the house as charming and having original features/materials. It was noted that the house next door has the same shake siding. Severson said maintenance is the owners’ reason for changing to vinyl siding. Paul questioned whether this shake (about a 10” reveal) is available in vinyl; Severson said he is checking on that. The neighborhood is a mix of styles from the mid-century, and a mix of renter- and owner-occupied housing. It was suggested that action on the request be delayed two weeks while the commissioners assess the neighborhood for eligibility as a district. Severson said there are funding deadlines for the loan and it would be better if the work could start as soon as possible.
Motion:
to concur with a determination of no adverse effect for the roof replacement and the driveway work at 1726 11th Avenue North. (Flemmer, Jelliff)
Discussion: This will allow the work to begin and the commission will assess the neighborhood and be prepared to act on the other proposals at the Oct. 23, 2007 meeting. Only the roof and the driveway are being accepted at this time.
Motion carries.
Paul suggested that Severson might check on shingles that mimic the appearance of roofing shakes. He said there is a good product that is comparably priced to the standard 3-tab shingle and would give a better look on these houses, especially 1212 University. Severson will recommend it to the owners.
Caprice Benoit left at this time.
Chair Report
– Marsha Gunderson
Belmont RFP Review Committee – The committee met on Oct. 1 to review the proposals for the four available lots at Belmont Road and 15th Avenue South. Only one proposal had been submitted, for the northernmost lot. The house design was attractive but the proposal was missing a site plan, landscaping plan and materials inventory. The committee tentatively approved the proposal pending presentation of acceptable plans and materials. Gunderson also noted that the proposed contractors are reputable local contractors.
National Trust for Historic Places National Conference – Those who went felt it was a good conference. The sessions on “green” building and rehab and on assessing mid-century modern architecture were interesting and helpful.
Coordinator Report
– Peg O’Leary
Web Site – The site is up and running. Some areas remain under construction but will be completed as the contractor trains O’Leary in on the system.
Riverside Nomination Revisions – O’Leary completed the last map and submitted it to the state before the NTHP conference.
Regrant Status – Dinnie Apartments – The owner has submitted receipts totaling more than the required grant and match combined. O’Leary has requested proof of purchase of the approved materials and then the payment of the grant can be authorized.
Preserve America Presidential Awards Nomination – Benoit has begun the research for the proposal. Gunderson said the project may not be eligible this year but the Preserve America representative at the NTHP conference said to submit anyway; the review will provide help when resubmitting and will familiarize the Preserve America people with the project. She said the rep was very receptive to this proposal.
Lustron House – A report from Meredith Richards to the HPC says that NDSU has informed her that they cannot complete the reconstruction of the Lustron House. She will be seeking a contractor in an effort to get the building enclosed before winter.
Other Business
Grand Forks Federal Courthouse – Gunderson said a GSA representative at the NTHP conference said that our courthouse is based on a standard plan that can be found in many federal courthouses and that the Landmark Center in St. Paul is constructed from the same plans as the Old Post Office building in Washington, D.C.
American Profile – The Grand Forks Herald insert has a cover feature story on North Dakota sacred sites.
University of North Dakota – Iseminger asked about the campus interviews that Michelle Dennis had; O’Leary said Dennis was well received by everyone including the Planning Office and Special Collections at the Chester Fritz Library. It was determined that O’Leary should ask Mary Kate Ryan about documenting the current President’s House before it is demolished.
Meeting adjourned. 9:00 p.m.
The next regular meeting will be at 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2007, room A101, City Hall.
Respectfully submitted,
Peg O’Leary
Coordinator