Before the banking meltdown, Charlotte,NC’s real estate scene was booming. Developers hounded the city, building new luxury apartments, turning old factories into lofts and even creating a elevated train system. Now a new controversy has arisen over a historic fire station. Developers want to tear it down; the city wants it preserved.
The fire station, located in Charlotte’s upscale Dilworth neighborhood was built in 1909 with the intent to house two horse-drawn fire engines. It currently sits next an luxury apartment complex. The property’s owner Marcel Starks seems to be motivated by profit rather than historical preservation.
The issue is not a new one. Cities across the nation have seen landmarks come and go. The real estate boom provided ample opportunity for investors to scoop up historical properties and develop or sell them for a considerable profit. Unfortunately for Mr. Stark, he bought at the wrong time.
The city of Charlotte offered Stark $950,000 for the station. Stark paid $1.03 million for the property in May 2006. While the city obviously wants to keep the property as a historical landmark, Stark does not want to be a loser in the deal.
Preserving the historic building would help promote tourism. According Charlotte Center City Partners President, Michael Smith, this would go in line with the city’s 2010 plan to prioritize ‘the preservation of the historic structure”. Destroying it for profit, although allowable by law, is regrettable.
The city will continue to take measures stalling the destruction of the fire station which is scheduled to take place in May. Stark plans to sell the land to a developer following the historic station’s destruction.
Written by Lani Shadduck
HULIQ.com
Source:Charlotteobserver.com
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