by Bailey White
Staff Writer
The Historic Preservation Section of the City’s Planning Department is finalizing negotiations with Historic Preservation Services, a Navarre, Fla.-based company for a downtown survey project.
The survey, an update of an original survey done in 1991, is one of the projects set forth by the implementation task force currently chaired by City Council member Jim Overton.
“This is a very important first step in implementation,” said Joel McEachin, senior historic preservation planner.
If the deal with Historic Preservation Services is finalized, Diana Godwin will serve as project manager and chief surveyor.
“We’ll look at what we’ve got,” said Godwin. “We have 10-year-old files, but a lot happens in 10 years.”
The objective is to document historic buildings and districts, including a history of the development of the survey areas, and architectural analysis and recommendations for preservation and nomination to the National Register of Historic Places.
“We’ll be paying attention to the condition of the buildings, the architecture and the historic significance,” said Godwin, who is currently doing survey work in Crestview.
The new survey will eventually be placed on the Florida Master List site file, a statewide listing of historic designations.
“The list is a planning tool and a way to identify the historic buildings,” said McEachin. “It’s something to consider when planning.”
Buildings that didn’t meet the age requirement of 50 years for historical status in 1991 will be reconsidered. McEachin said the new survey will also include a thorough look at buildings on the Southbank.
The project, which will cost the City about $35,000, will produce a wealth of material. Godwin will create a CD and hard copy reports with photos and site files, photographs of all pre-1954 structures and maps of the area.
Godwin has worked on similar projects in Eustis and Key West.
Although there isn’t an official start date because contracts have yet to be signed, McEachin said they’re hoping to be finished with the survey by the end of April.