The applicant seeking to demolish the circa-1905 house at 1830 Fern St. withdrew the request ahead of its scheduled consideration at the New Orleans City Council’s Oct. 1 meeting. The withdrawal came after the applicant learned that District A Councilmember Aimee McCarron planned to oppose the appeal of the Historic District Landmarks Commission’s decision to deny demolition. The Preservation Resource Center applauds Councilmember McCarron for her commitment to protecting New Orleans’ historic housing and neighborhoods!
At the HDLC’s Sept. 2 meeting, the PRC opposed the demolition of the raised-basement house in the Carrollton Historic District. The PRC urged the owners to secure the building envelope to prevent further deterioration and consider alternatives to demolition, including rehabilitation using historic tax credits. The credits could offset up to 45 percent of qualified renovation costs.
Others who spoke against the demolition at the HDLC meeting included a representative of the Central Carrollton Residents Association and an architect and neighbor who offered her professional opinion that the building was salvageable. The commission also received 18 written comments opposing demolition.
HDLC staff reported that the property was not a good candidate for full demolition, noting that most alterations, including the enclosed front porch and side addition, were easily reversible. A structural condition assessment submitted with the application identified termite damage, lead and asbestos, moisture intrusion and deterioration at the property — challenges regularly encountered during historic restorations in New Orleans.
We hope the owner will explore the benefits of using historic tax credits to return the property to commerce.
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