TO: Mayor and Commissioners
FROM: Jeffrey L. Oris, CEcD, Assistant City Manager
THROUGH: Terrence R. Moore, ICMA-CM
DATE: November 1, 2022
Title
HISTORICAL PROPERTY INVENTORY ASSESSMENT
Body
Recommended Action:
Recommendation
Receive the presentation on the City's historical assets.
Body
Background:
The City Commission, at their August 9, 2022 meeting, a discussion of conditions at the Historical Society's campus led to a request for a workshop to discuss such historical properties and their current conditions. To this end, staff reviewed conditions of the three key historical assets under the City's control, all of which are all leased to non-profit organizations. This review did not include any of the buildings at Old School Square as the condition of the buildings on the OSS property has been a topic at several Commission meetings culminating in a direction to staff to make necessary repairs at the site including completion of renovations at the Crest Theater.
The properties that are the focus of the presentation that will be made at this meeting include:
Cason Cottage, Hunt House, and the 1926 Bungalow, leased to the Delray Beach Historical Society - located at the corner of Swinton Avenue and NE 1st Street -
Spady House and Munnings Cottage. leased to Expanding and Preserving Our Cultural Heritage (EPOCH) a.k.a the Spady Cultural Heritage Museum on NW 5th Street
Sandoway House, sub-leased to the Friends of Sandoway House Nature Center, located at 142 South Ocean Boulevard (Note: This property is actually leased by Palm Beach County to the City of Delray Beach and subleased by the City to the Friends of Sandoway)
Assistant City Manager Jeff Oris visited with the Executive Director of each of the non-profit residents of these properties to garner input as to the conditions of the properties and any issues the organizations might be experiencing related to the buildings. These conversations were followed up by a visit to each site by Mr. Oris, Director of Public Works Missie Barletto and Deputy Director of Public Works Michael Karali. The team walked each property, inspected various parts of the buildings, took photos, and made notes as to any issues or concerns related to the historic structures.
The information gathered will be presented to the City Commission in a PowerPoint format to convey the current conditions of these City historical assets along with photos and descriptions of any concerns.
Funding Source/Financial Impact:
Basic repairs will be funded through existing or future budget allocations including through the City's CIP budget.
Timing of Request
NA