SET Obtains Letter: Etowah Terrace Demolitions Constitute An Adverse Effect
Only days remain before the fate of properties along Etowah Terrace in South Rome is determined through a rezoning request to be undertaken by the Rome City Commission on Monday.
However, Save Etowah Terrace (SET) has obtained a letter from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Historic Preservation Division (HPD) which states that the demolition of the houses along Etowah Terrace constitutes an adverse effect on a historic district.
In the letter dated May 28, 2009, it is stated, “Based on the provided information, HPD concurs that the proposed project is located in the South Broad Street Historic District, which is listed in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). The proposed project involves the demolition of nine houses that are contributing resources to the South Broad Street Historic District to clear land for the construction of a mixed-use development….”
The letter goes on to state, “The proposed undertaking, to demolish 1, 4, 3, 5, 7, 11, 8, 10 and 16 Etowah Terrace, constitutes an adverse effect to the NRHP-listed South Broad Street Historic District….”
The state’s Historic Preservation Division letter, signed by Division Director and Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer W. Ray Luce, contends that the proposed demolitions would have a significant and detrimental impact on the physical integrity, visual quality and setting of the historic district.
The letter states, “While the City of Rome has condemned the nine historic buildings, it appears that the condemnations are the result of property abandonment, vandalism, or to facilitate redevelopment as an open site, rather than because of severe structural deficiencies.”
Luce writes, “When an adverse effect on a historic property is found, the federal agency must notify the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation and consult with the State Historic Preservation Officer on ways to avoid or reduce adverse effects to historic properties.”
Luce said that HPD wanted to make it clear that the determination of adverse effect was not the end of the review process.
He goes on to write, “HPD should be given the opportunity to review and comment on the applicant’s decision-making process leading to the current proposed project, including the consideration of alternatives to avoid the adverse effect.”
SET member Chad Johnfroe said that copies of the DNR letter were sent to the mayor and city commissioners on Thursday.
“From the feedback I’ve received from two of the commissioners, it appears the city commission has not been made aware of this decision,” Johnfroe said.
He said SET hopes the Historic Preservation Division’s review of the proposed demolitions and redevelopment along Etowah Terrace will sway city commissioners to vote against the proposed rezoning request.
The public hearing and vote for the rezoning request of the property along Etowah Terrace will take place at the Rome City Commission meeting on Monday, July 6, at 6:30 p.m. on the second floor of City Hall on Broad Street.
