D.18.a - 1117 Linden Street - applicant's letter — original pdf

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To: Historic Landmark Commission October 26, 2020 Demolition and Relocation Permits HDP-2020-0419 1117 Linden Street Dear Committee Members, Please find below, a summary based on the research done by the Historic Preservation Center, City of Austin, Austin History Center and my personal efforts to rehabilitate the property at 1117 Linden Street • The exterior of the house is clad in limestone and brick accents - which may have been added since the original construction of the house, as there appears to be siding underneath the stone cladding. • There are records of a garage having existed for the house, but currently there is no garage associated with the house • Based on this, the house does not appear to possess the original architecture • Based on the research of the people who have lived in the house, “the historical significance of the individual residents likely does not rise to the level of satisfying this criterion” - of Historical Association • I have contacted a few neighbors and several house relocation services and offered the house for free if anyone was interested in relocating it. • However, everyone refused citing the stone exterior - apparently houses with stone exteriors are not moved as is. If they are to be moved, all the stone cladding needs to be removed and reinstalled after the house is moved, which apparently becomes cost prohibitive • I do try to rehabilitate houses wherever possible based on the following examples • 1111 Gunter Street - the existing house at this address was permitted to be demolished. I worked with a neighbor and changed the demolition permit to a relocation permit and worked with the neighbor to move the house to his property where it has been rehabilitated! I did not seek any remuneration for the house and gave it to the neighbor for free. • 3705 Govalle Ave - I am currently working with another neighbor to rehabilitate the house at this address and there is a high likelihood that this house will be rehabilitated. Again, I am not seeking any remuneration for this house either and will be giving it for free I do try to rehabilitate houses, particularly by working with neighbors to relocate them. Because of the stone cladding on the house at 1117 Linden, I am unable to find anyone interested in relocating it despite considerable efforts by me. Consequently, I request the commission to approve the request for the permit. Please let me know if there are any questions. Thank you, Sharad Mudhol Principal, smartDigs Austin LLC s.mudhol@smartdigsaustin.com