17.e - 3205 Tom Green - public comment — original pdf

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April 23, 2024 To The Historic Landmark Commissioners: I am a resident of the Grooms Addi�on in North University Neighborhood where 3205 Tom Green is located. I would object very much to this structure’s removal from the street. Regardless of the current survey of contribu�ng proper�es, this is a contribu�ng structure for an Historic District. (One of my neighbors worked for the Texas Historical Commission- she insists that this original structure from the 1930s is contribu�ng!) We tried to make a Historic District in the Grooms Addi�on some years ago; each property was surveyed, photographed and described. All of this informa�on rests in the Aus�n History Library. This structure would be contribu�ng to that effort and to any future effort. Repurposing this structure in a future development is doable. Not only that, the owner even stated publicly that he thought the house was “cute”. (“Cute” is also appealing to future renters or owners.) I mainly support repurposing the original structure for 4 reasons: 1. leaving a bit of history on the ground for others to admire and query about is a worthy cause; 2. repurposing is the most environmentally friendly op�on. 40% of all US waste is in construc�on materials and demoli�ons; 3. repurposing the original structure is the “greenest” architecture that there is; 4. this is a perfectly good home- why are we Americans so crazy? So wasteful? This is an affordable type of housing. The owner has said that “the house is not code. It has single pane windows, no insulta�on and pipes that freeze.” This sounds exactly like the house I live in and many others around me. It is a perfectly good house, and it is an older home. When one lives in an older home, one needs to cope with single pane windows (window treatments work well, like insulated curtains) and lack of insula�on- weatherstripping works wonders! We all know how to cope with freezing weather by dripping water from our pipes. The Grooms Addition was platted in 1880s and 1890s by Alfred Grooms, a former state land surveyor. 3205 Tom Green is in one of Austin’s early subdivisions. This area deserves to be preserved- if we wait long enough, nothing will be left! Please oppose this demoli�on. Preserva�on, environmentally friendly efforts for saving materials from the landfill, repurposing structures efficaciously for saving energy, providing affordable units should be foremost in your minds. The house has enough architectural integrity and contribu�ng historical context to be saved and repurposed in a though�ul development. It is financially feasible, too. (“Cute” sells and rents very easily!) Mary Ingle