Printer-Friendly
Email this Story
Post a Comment (0)
Blair House demolition possible
During its regular meeting on Tuesday, May 13, Town Council voted on a proposal to submit an application for demolition of the historic Blair House to the Architectural Review Board.
The house, located on West Street, was built in the 1920s and was home to Antioch Baptist Church's first pastor, Harrison Blair.
Town Council voted last month to postpone voting on the issue after receiving a bid from .S. Melanson Excavating for the demolition and disposal of the structure.
The town issued a request for proposals (RFP) for the sale and removal of the Blair House to another location in November 2007. The property was listed in the classified section of Preservation magazine, a leading national preservation publication with nationwide circulation. It was also listed in local newspapers, as well as direct mail to housing advocacy groups such as Habitat to Humanity and the Culpeper Community Development Corporation (CCDC).
Now, it seems council has no other option than to tear the house down, if it wants to redevelop the property on which it currently stands. When that will happen, however, is up in the air.
"I foresee no movement on a redevelopment project with the parking lot for at least two years because of the awful economic climate," said Councilman Chris Snider. "That will buy us time to continue to try to get the house moved if someone wants to save it."
You must be logged in to post a comment.