Administrative Brief
COMMISSION INFORMATION MEMORANDUM
VOL. 24, NO. 21
ADMINISTRATIVE BRIEF FROM DEAN ANDREW
July 5, 2002
Planning Division
The Planning Department and Salina Heritage Commission are in the midst of an intensive review
of the exterior and interior alterations being proposed by the Historic Fox Theatre Foundation for
the Fox Theatre building in downtown. The Fox Theatre building was nominated and placed on
the National Register of Historic Places in 1989. The National Register of Historic Places
Registration Form for the Fox Theatre identified those character-defining features of the building
that are protected from demolition, removal or substantial alteration by the Register listing.
Character-defining features are those physical characteristics and elements that indicate the
integrity, design and materials of the historic property. These include exterior features, such as the
brick masonry, decorative terra cotta, doors and windows as well as interior features such as
sculpted plaster door surrounds, auditorium pilasters and light fixtures. Where documented original
features, finishes and fixtures exist, they are protected from demolition or alteration until such time
that a review can determine the effect of the demolition or alteration on the historic property. The
goal of this detailed review process is to insure that no character defining features are lost during
the restoration/rehabilitation of the theatre building. In short, to maintain its eligibility for listing on
the National Register when the interior and exterior work is complete.
The Kansas Historic Preservation Act K.S.A. 75-2724 requires that the State Historic Preservation
Office (SHPO) or an authorized local government review and comment on all proposed
construction or demolition projects that directly or indirectly affect a National Registered property.
The City of Salina entered into a Certified Local Government (CLG) Agreement with the SHPO in
1996. This agreement authorizes the Salina Heritage Commission to perform the statutory
responsibilities of the SHPO in plan review of projects affecting Registered properties unless
Federal monies are involved.
In the Certified Local Government Agreement with the State, the City of Salina agreed to apply and
enforce the same standards and carry out the same level of review as the State Historic
Preservation Officer would for such a project. The Planning Department had the option of sending
the plans for this project to the SHPO for review but all parties involved expressed a desire to keep
the review of this project a local matter as authorized by our CLG agreement.
The Planning staff determined that the work proposed by the Historic Fox Theatre Foundation was
not a true "restoration" of the theatre but rather a mix of restoration of some original features, the
recreation of other features and some new construction, Because of the scope and complexity of
this restoration/rehabilitation ~ project, staff recommended that the project be broken out into
separate and identifiable phases of work so that a building permit could be issued for work in the
unprotected spaces of the theater with Heritage Commission review of plans for alterations to
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protected features and spaces occurring as specific plans were developed for those features and
spaces.
To date, plans have been approved by the Heritage Commission for work to commence on 1) the
old School of Music building north of the Fox, 2) the old ground floor storefronts (now known as the
Watson Room, 3) interior features and finishes in the Lobby, Foyer and Mezzanine area, except
for four items, 4) the roof of the building, 5) masonry work on the auditorium and parapet walls and
Box Office Tower (subject to conditions) and 6) work on interior and exterior doors.
After some initial misunderstandings with the applicant about the plans and information that needed
to be submitted for review, the local review of this project has progressed to the point where it is
nearly complete. Staff still has concerns about the deteriorated condition of the brick on the Box
Office Tower but a compromise was reached on this item. The Heritage Commission approved
the applicant's interim stabilization measures for the brick on the tower on the condition that the
Fox Theatre Board apply for a Heritage Trust Fund grant funds from the State of Kansas to
reconstruct and replace brick on the tower next year. Items which have not yet been reviewed and
approved are work on four (4) interior features including chandelier fixtures and the concession
stand, proposed changes to the exterior windows and some minor changes in the Auditorium.
Neighborhood Services Division
This is the peak season for tall weeds and grass complaints. There has been a 5% increase in
service requests received by the Neighborhood Services Division compared to last year at this
time. The number of violation notices sent to property owners has not increased at the same rate
as the service requests however because of increased success in getting voluntary property owner
compliance eliminating the need to send out a notice. The Neighborhood Services Division has
been utilizing the services of a private contractor to mow properties that are not maintained when
the property owner fails to respond to violation notices and the average amount billed to each
property has actually gone down because the contractor is responding more quickly to requests
before the weeds and grass have a chance to get out of control. The property owner is then billed
for the work. If the bill goes unpaid, it becomes an assessment on the property, payable with
property tax bills.
MONDA Y'S MEETING
1. Enclosed are other items on the agenda. If any Commissioner has any questions or
cannot attend the meeting, please contact me.
2. Let's begin the study session at 2:30 p.m. An agenda is attached.
Dennis M. Kissinger
City Manager