Property Improvement Committee Report

General Meeting Old Louisville Neighborhood Council 7 PM, Thursday, March 6, 2003 Old Louisville Information Center Agenda: Update on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement of the Proposed Light Rail System for Louisville Guest Speaker: Raoul Cunningham, TARC Consultant Mr. Cunningham will give a precise, detailed report on the impact of TARC’s light rail system on properties in Old Louisville.

Winter’s Fury, Spring’s Hope The freezing rain, sleet, and snow on Valentine’s weekend claimed a huge tree in Central Park. However, at the Fourth and Magnolia entrance to the park, the swelling buds of a Japonica or Japanese quince portend the coming of Spring.

Mark Your Calendar: Central Park Spring Clean Up 8:30AM-12 noon Saturday, April 5, 2003 Free Lunch for all Volunteers!

Editorial Policy: Letters and articles submitted to The Old Louisville Journal may be edited with regard to space and/or content. Letters to the Editor must be signed with a verifiable signature and address.

Herb Fink called the OLNC PIC committee meeting to order at 7PM on February 13, 2003.

Herb introduced John Lee and Michael Mulheirn from the Jefferson County Public School System who presented plans for the development of the duPont Manual High School, Noe Middle School, YPAS and Old Cochran Elementary School Campus. The plan includes the closing of Lee Street to through traffic between First and Second Streets.

Discussion followed regarding parking issues, green spaces and pickup of students. Tom Duffy requested that JCPS consider replacing trees along side Noe Middle School. He also questioned why parking restrictions on 2nd Street in front of the schools had not been lifted for the hours between 7AM and 9AM as they had been north of Hill St.

Gary Kleier made a motion of appreciation for JCPS rehabilitation work at the old Cochran Elementary School. The motion was seconded by Tom Duffy and was approved. Bob Bajandas made a motion for the PIC committee to approve current plans for the campus as presented by JCPS. Zane Lockhard suggested that the motion include provisions that the trees be added and the parking restrictions be lifted on 2nd Street as suggested. Zane seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Michael Mawood, a realtor with Re/Max representing Greg S. Mack, presented problems that the owner of the former Old Louisville Inn, 1359 South St.. was having regarding conversion from a bed and breakfast to condominiums because the conversion conflicted with the property’s mapped use as a single-family residence under the new Traditional Neighborhood Zoning District. Six condominiums are planned; four are to be located in the main house above ground, one in the basement and one in the carriage house with parking beneath.

Dale Strange, next door neighbor, said that his first preference would be for the property to return to a single family residence or another bed and breakfast, but since that appears to be virtually impossible, he approves of the condominium conversion plan. He added the provision that no more than six condominiums be located there, as currently planned.

Lois Tash, a local realtor, added that if the property was placed on the market again, it would be virtually impossible to obtain a mortgage due to its condition. The boiler, the only heating source for the building, was removed along with much of the interior. There have been several water leaks due to frozen water pipes.

Discussion followed on the procedures necessary for the property to be rezoned under TNZD. The following motion made by Bob Bajandas and seconded by Chuck Anderson was approved by a vote of 10-4: "PIC recommends to the Old Louisville Neighborhood Council that the owners of the property at 1359 South Third Street and the accompanying property across the alley that fronts on Second Street be encouraged to redevelop the properties in compliance with the TNZD and that the property be reoccupied as soon as possible."

Vacant and Deteriorating Buildings:

A. 103 W. Kentucky - Property scheduled for a Commissioner’s sale on February 20, 2003.

B. 1136 S. 4th St. (Old Dobbs House Restaurant) - has been recently purchased by Bob Bajandas at a Commissioner’s sale. He is pursuing the use of the 25' x 60' building as another restaurant. He indicated that much of the kitchen equipment is still there and could be reused. It will be several months, however, before he has clear title due to the "Dower Rights" law.

C. 1346 S. Floyd St. is headed for court.

D. 217 E. St. Joseph St. was represented by Jeff Tucker who is heading the renovation of this property. He is working with Michael Baugh of Metro Department of Inspections, Permits, and Licenses on cleaning up the property and with the Landmarks Commission on the correct historic restoration of the building. He said the owners are desirous of renovating this property as a historically correct single family dwelling. Fred Nett made a motion to commend the owners of subject property for returning it to a single family home. Bob Bajandas seconded the motion. Motion passed.

E. 1451 S. 1st St. (at Burnett) is currently being cleaned up.

F. 1220 S. 7th St. & 700 block of West Dumesnil. Video was shown by Herb Fink of the junk cars parked on Dumesnil in front of the business operating as an Auto Repair shop. Michael Baugh said that it was zoned M-1 and that auto repair was allowed, but that "dead" cars were not. All cars along Dumesnil should be towed unless they are in good repair. Mr. Figa, the owner of the property, has been cited by Mr. Baugh for violations and has 30 days to clean up the array of cars and then possibly another 30 days awaiting arraignment. Sergeant Doug Sweeney said he would contact Sergeant Cooper of the 4th District, in which this property is located, and discuss having the cars towed unless the owner moves them first.

G. 238 E. Burnett was added to the deteriorating building list by Bob Bajandas. Herb noted the addition.

H. 1035 S. 4th St. was also added to the deteriorating building list. It is currently in court. The owner has pleaded "guilty" to charges brought by Michael Baugh, and has 60 days left from the 90 days allotted to correct problems. Michael Baugh said the property could possibly be purchased

I. Lyndell Shepherd, owner of property at 911, 913, 915, and 917 S. First St., said that he was having problems from the building located at 920 S. First St. and from the Villager Motel. Police have been called regularly for vagrancy and improper trash disposal. Fencing of the nearby former Motel 6 has been moved about. John Sistarenik suggested that the owners of that property be invited to a PIC meeting.

J. Jerry Birschbach showed pictures of the damage of the newly constructed sidewalk in front of his home in the 100 block of Ormsby.

Meeting adjourned at 10PM.

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Asian Art and Antiques Market
Preview Party

Crane House will host the third annual Asian Art and Antiques Market on Saturday, March 22, 2003, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm and Sunday, March 23, 2003, 12:00 – 4: 00 pm. The Market will feature the largest number of booths with specialty Asian items ever assembled in one Louisville venue. The area’s top dealers of Asian antiques, as well as retailers of Asian art, will participate. Exhibitors and artists will display and sell unique and one-of-a-king objects such as paintings, furniture, vases, urns, jewelry, and unusual pieces both antique and new, from many countries in Asia. The Market, which is free and open to the public, will be at Crane House, 1244 South Third Street, Louisville.

The Preview Party, a Crane House fundraiser, will be Friday, March 21, from 5:00 – 8:00 pm.

Proceeds benefit Crane House’s educational and cultural programs. All art and antiques will be available for sale during the Preview Party. Tickets are $25 per person, by reservation only. The deadline for reservations is Wednesday, March 19. Reservations may be made by calling 635-2240, or e-mailing adm@cranehouse.org.

Crane House, an Asian cultural center, actively promotes cultural understanding among the peoples of the United States and Asia through education. Founded in 1987, it is a private, nonprofit organization located in Louisville at 1244 South Third Street. For additional information, call 635-2240.

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Central Park

Centennial Committee:

Help plan the celebration of Central Park’s 100th birthday in 2004.

Come to a meeting at the Old Louisville Information Center on Wednesday, March 12, at 6:30PM.

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MetroCall: 311 Have a problem with a city service, want to make a complaint, report a problem, or get information from Metro Government? Dial 311 between 8AM and 6PM weekdays, or email MetroCall@loukymetro.org

Creating a City: A Symposium To Examine How Architecture And The Built Environment Affect Our Lives March 11, 2003 1:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. The Speed Art Museum Honorary Chairman Grady Clay Keynote Speaker Travis Price, Architect, "Spirit of Place, Spirit of Design" Panel Members include: David Mohney, Dean, College of Architecture, UK Barry Alberts, Downtown Development Corporation Michael Rotondi, Los Angeles Architect Bill Streuver, Developer, Baltimore Inner Harbor Alex Castro, Architect and Sculptor, Baltimore Inner Harbor Sponsored by The Speed Art Museum, Glenview Garden Club, Downtown Development Corporation, and Hardscuffle, Inc. Admission Free -- Space Limited The Speed Art Museum 2035 S. Third Street Louisville KY 40208 502/634-2700

Volunteer Opportunities: Starting April 22nd and running until July 25th, Glassworks will be exhibiting the work of Dale Chihuly. Dale is one of the most recognized Glassblowers in the world with his unique and stunning installation pieces. He has been featured on several programs on KET, such as "Chihuly: In Venice" and "Chihuly: In the Light of Jerusalem". During this exciting time, there will be many volunteer opportunities available. Volunteer hours may be used for studio/class time as well as other benefits. For more information contact Glassworks Volunteer Coordinator, Diane Gordon, in the Glassworks Gallery at (502)992-3056.

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25^th Anniversary of the Old Louisville Journal:

These articles appeared in the March, 1985, issue of the Old Louisville Newsletter:

Neighbor Notes

Congratulations…to Ken and Sheila Pyle and family…on the official opening of the RUDYARD KIPLING KITCHEN CARRY OUT at 420 W. Oak St. (ok, ok, so the January OLN was a bit premature!). Hours are 11AM- 7PM Monday through Saturday…

…to Cindy Venable…Kling Center Director and Old Louisville activist, on the purchase of your new home in the 1400 block of South 3^rd St…Wasn't it convenient to only have to haul your belongings one block?

…to Janice Kelly Gillis (Belgravia Court Assoc.)…who has had her own line of greeting card designs produced by a New York firm and distributed both across the country and locally in card and book stores beginning in February! Look for Janice's unique collection under the name, "Life in the Fast Lane."

… to Jay Lawrence and Sally Dunn (Sixth Street) a belated welcome to your newest family addition, baby Jack!

…Thank you… to the following people who helped at the center or with the Center/Council functions during January and February: Len Wilson, Al and Mary 

Broussard, Ellen Patrie, Ray Riebel, Joe Williams, Virginia Keyer, and Jean Crowe. THANK YOU THANK YOU…Bridgehaven "Clean-up Crew"- Tony Lewis, Maurice Wilson, and Ernie Jackson. These three gentlemen have been attacking the Center's dust balls and overflowing garbage cans once a week for the past month and will continue to help us each coming week. They are truly and answer to our prayers and our needs at the Center!

WELCOME… to the 1600 block of S. Second St… Tom Duffy!

The First Commandment
of Neighborhood Involvement…
JOIN THE OLNC!!!

It is March already, and have you forgotten something? Did you pay those 1985 dues to the Old Louisville Neighborhood Council?? If not, you may still do so and take advantage of getting involved in Old Louisville programs, projects, and concerns. If you haven't been buttonholed by our Membership Committee yet, believe us, you will!

This year's committee, headed by Chairman Mae Salyers, has done a terrific job of the recruiting both new and old members 

to the organization, but we need more of you to join and become involved members of the Old Louisville Community. Yearly dues are $5.00 for individuals and $25.00 for the block associations. This month's unofficial recruiting award goes to Joe "Gimmedemoney" Williams, who has done a super job of signing up members the past few months! Call the Old Louisville Information Center today and pledge your commitment!

Editor's note: What a bargain! 2003 dues are still $5.00 for individuals and $25.00 for block associations. They are due by April.

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Cook’s Corner
A wee bit of Ireland

Have you ever snapped yourself into a different time and place simply by the sheer smell, taste, or sound of something familiar? A mere thought of Pete’s mom’s brown bread sends him right back home to his mom’s kitchen. Like a time travel machine, it has the ability to recall for him the crackle of the fireplace, the clinks and tings of pots and pans bashing about, his mother’s voice calling all to the breakfast table, and the happy memories of gathering with whomever was within shouting distance of hearing "Tea’s ready!"

Of course, living 4,949 miles from Mom’s kitchen makes eating Irish brown bread a very handy homesick remedy. It works every time when I begin to see that melancholy look in my husband’s eyes. Pete’s mom knows the power of this as well; she always sends us on our way from a visit back home with a bread cake tucked into the carry-on bag. Even more effective is whenever a close friend or family member visits us in the states, mom is up before dawn baking away so Pete can have a taste of Ireland.

This reminds me of a particular story when his sisters were coming over for our wedding. As I heard it, mom got up extra early to make the bread and then set it out on the hedge to cool. As she continued about her morning chores, suddenly she looked out the kitchen window and saw that a big, black bird has his beak stuck into the bread cake. Well, the shouts and roars, they tell me, that came out of her would have driven away a grizzly bear! I think about how she was so protective of that all important taste of home, the modern memory chip she knew her son would appreciate. That story 

endears me to her still today, fourteen years later.

What became of the slightly bird-pecked bread cake? She sent it anyway after many tears, panic, and finally being convinced that there was not time to bake another before Maur, Ger, and June’s plane was to leave. Believe me, she tried to bake another. My mother-in-law is one of the most loving human beings on the planet.

Marty Walsh

Editor’s note: Marty currently lives in Las Vegas, Nevada, with her husband, Pete. She is an artist; her paintings were recently featured at Louisville’s Swanson-Reed Gallery. She lived in Old Louisville for a time. Her works featuring Old Louisville and the Old Louisville Inn were shown in an exhibit at the Inn.

Pete’s Mom’s Irish Brown Bread

Sift and blend following dry ingredients:
4 cups wholewheat flour
2 cups white flour
1 T baking soda

Mix together following wet ingredients:
1 t cooking oil
1 egg
3 cups buttermilk

Combine wet with dry while mixing until the dough just holds together (not too wet). Turn out onto floured board. Knead about 6-10 times, just until it holds together (don’t overdo it!).

Shape into round loaf.
Cut a 1/2 inch deep x over the top.
Transfer to baking sheet.

Bake at 350F for around 40 minutes or until a knife inserted comes out clean. After 40-45 min, Tap the back and see if there is a hollow sound, if so, then it is done.

Wrap in a clean tea towel (keeps the loaf from drying out) and let cool until just warm enough to melt butter. If you cut it too soon, it will crumble to pieces!

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Volunteer Opportunity

As a volunteer tour guide for the Conrad-Caldwell House Museum, your enthusiasm for Old Louisville will reach far beyond current time and place. As a Conrad-Caldwell House docent, you will entertain and inform visitors about this historic landmark and Old Louisville.

We’ll provide the education on how to look at the architecture and furnishings of the mansion as well as the story of its families.

We’d love to meet you and tell you about the benefits of being a volunteer guide.

RSVP and questions: Deb Riall, 636-5023

 

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Brick Structures -- Oh What Damage We Do Inflict by Gary Kleier This article is reprinted in edited form in the hardcopy version of the Old Louisville Journal, from Gary's article on this web site (www.oldlouisville.com).   Click here to read the whole unedited article: Brick Structures - Oh What Damage We Do Inflict with links to other articles written by architect Gary Kleier.

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Calendar for March 2003
(most meeting dates are approximate until confirmed)

Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
						1
2	3	4 Mardi Gras Ouerbacker Arts and Crafts 7P	5	6 OLNC General Meeting, OLIC 7:00PM	7	8
9	10	11  St James at Haskin Hall	12  Central Park Centenniel Committee OLIC 6:30PM	13  PIC @ OLIC 7PM	14	15
16	17 St Patrick's Day	18	19	20  House Tour Potluck Haskins Hall 6:30PM Toonerville 7PM	21	22
23 Asian Art and Antiques Market, Crane House	24 Art Show Consortium at Haskins Hall 7PM	25	26 OLIC Board 6PM OLNC Board &:30PM	27 Central Park West at CCH	28	29
30	31	1 April Fool!	2	3	4	5 Central Park Cleanup

 

The Old Louisville Journal is published monthly by the Old Louisville Information Center, Inc. (OLIC), a 501(c)(3) corporation, incorporated in 1984, for the purpose of receiving tax deductible contributions. OLIC is affiliated with the Old Louisville Neighborhood Council (OLNC), a 501 (c) (4) non-profit association incorporated in 1976 to serve as the recognized voice of the Old Louisville Neighborhood.

Submit Journal contributions to the Editor:
Old Louisville Information Center
1340 S. Fourth St., Louisville, KY 40208.
Phone: (502) 635-5244
E-mail: olnc@bellsouth.net
Advertising rates available upon request.
Please submit “Letters to the Editor” to the above address.
The 15th of each month is deadline for submission of all ads and articles.

 

Old Louisville National Historic Preservation District
America's Victorian Treasure