Members of the Historic District Commission discussed a recent preservation seminar and made plans for some upcoming educational efforts at the Oct. 1 HDC meeting.
Commissioner Debbie Davis reported on her experiences at a Destination Downtown gathering in El Dorado. She singled out a discussion about telling the story of historic properties. Davis said telling those stories will “let people get emotional about what these structures mean to them.” She suggested installing informative plaques in front of historic houses.
Cassie Dishman, Director of Planning and Community Development, said she would check with state preservation authorities to see if rules exist regarding such plaques.
Dishman said she enjoyed the visit to El Dorado and appreciated the Destination Downtown seminar sponsored by Main Street Arkansas. Dishman particularly emphasized a session on deconstruction instead of demolition. The extra efforts involved in taking a property apart can provide historic building materials for other projects, including bricks, siding, and stone.
Chair Dee Bright said networking with representatives from the Mississippi Main Street Association and Louisiana Main Street added value to the seminar. Bright also noted that Eureka Springs has one of the larger historic districts in the nation, and that brings the tourists who support the community.
Davis said Eureka Springs has the advantage of local support, with so many people willing to preserve the historic details of their properties. She also cautioned anyone planning on using preservation tax credits that those credits may soon disappear.
In other business:
- On Oct. 18-19, MSES is hosting a class on window restoration at the Carnegie Library. A class on floor restoration is scheduled for Nov. 7-9.
- During the comments period at the end of the meeting, Bright said the annual Tour of Homes will not be held this year but will return in December of 2026. She said the Preservation Society is working on ways to improve and enhance the tour.
- A Level III application at 20 Pine St. was partially approved, and a site visit will be required before commissioners address some aspects of the project. Owners Elizabeth and James Wicker submitted an extensive packet of photos with their application, including AI depictions of the planned finished project. Commissioners approved plans to replace windows and also approved foundation repairs and replacing a front deck and balcony. The location of a planned retaining wall will depend on a contractor’s assessment of conditions, and that will be considered during an upcoming site visit. That site visit will also evaluate an addition and deck behind the house.
- At 58 Hillside Ave., contractor Penny Pemberton represented an application from owner Beverly Breitling, asking to extend a roof to cover a deck. The new roof will be a flat section, with rolled roofing. Pemberton explained that two other gables come together at that location, and the flat roof section was the best option. All approved the application.
- The HDC will next meet at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 15. Level III applications were due Oct. 2, and Level II applications were due Oct. 8. Although the commission currently has a full panel of seven members, Bright said anyone interested in serving on the commission should get in touch with Dishman because of expected resignations.