Demolition of Three Structures in Historic Area on Council Agenda

The fate of three city-owned buildings may be decided at Monday’s City Council meeting, including a Queen Anne Cottage at 155 N. Cemetery St., built around 1900.

“With each one goes a little more of the Norcross identity that evokes history, charm and sense of Place,” said Anne Webb, who served on Norcross's Historic Preservation Commission, which no longer exists. Others see the demolition as part of larger plans to open up the city to development. 

According to a survey of historic buildings completed in 2007, the white cottage is likely over 100 years old and “appears to meet national registration criteria” for the National Register of Historic Places.  The condition of the structure was listed as “good” when the survey, called the Historical and Architectural Survey, was completed in 2007--though it may now be in disrepair.  

A stone storage shed with a metal roof is also behind the home, built around the same period, according to the survey.  

Chuck Cimarik of the Downtown Development Authority says the structure itself is likely in bad condition, and that it has basically been derelict. “By tearing [it] down, you are making it easier to market the whole area to developers,” said Cimarik.

Plans are afoot for a development of row houses at the corner of College Street and Cemetery Street and--perhaps further down the line--for a potential light rail on I-85 and for more development along Buford Highway. 

The survey of 266 properties was overseen by the now-disbanded Historic Preservation Commission, on which Webb served. Webb said that the city paid $25,000 for the survey, and more money for the members to attend preservation training.

The City Council voted against a creating a Norcross Historic District in 2008 and the committee was disbanded.

“There are no restraints now on tearing down contributing properties,” said Webb in an e-mail. Webb said that a Victorian Cottage in the area that was built in 1895 was already torn down.

Two other structures in the historic area are being considered for demolition: 54 Jones St., a brick business building built in the ‘60s, and 183 Bostic St., a small, newer home that is next door to the Cemetery Street cottage.

The Cemetery Street property neighbors Lillian Webb Park and a corner area that is now undeveloped. The rezoning of that area is also on the council agenda for Monday, which could edge developer Skip Nau closer to construction.

Beautification of Cemetery Street is currently underway, with the hopes of making a new “gateway” to the city from Buford Highway.

Cimarik said that the Jones Street structure could likely be inhabited by a business, potentially creating a revenue stream for the city, the option that he says the DDA prefers, figuring that there’s no reason to tear down a building that can be rented.