The Growler ambled into the Council Chamber at City Hall last Wednesday hoping to take in a little of the Parker-Gray BAR discussion on developer William Cromley's proposal to demolish the American Legion building at 224 N. Fayette. (It was an "information session" for dialog between developer and board, and was not a formal hearing. That will come later.)
The chamber was virtually empty and only two or three other members of the public were present. But the sight that caused the Cranky One's blue eyes to goggle was the presence of Charles Trozzo.
For those not in the know, Mr. Trozzo — a proud resident of stately lower Duke Street in Old Town — is a historic preservation activist and chairman of the City's Historical Restoration & Preservation Commission (often referred to colloquially as the "long name commission"). He was also one of the leaders a few years ago of the successful campaign to preserve the Gunston Hall apartment complex on S. Washington Street.
Quel surprise! The Growler has never known Mr. Trozzo to show the slightest interest in our neighborhood; as far as the Cranky One recalls he has never attended Parker-Gray BAR hearings, was a no-show at the 2005 symposium on Parker-Gray history, and didn't turn up at of the Braddock Road plan charettes from 2005-2008, where one of the major recurring themes was how to ensure new development respected the historic district's architecture.
Nor did Mr. Trozzo play any visible role in persuading Council to pursue and fund the Parker-Gray nomination to the state and national historic registries.
The Growler had to leave early, but the beauty of the City's Web site is that you can view these hearings later online. And with a quick fast forward, here was Mr. Trozzo, pleading for adaptive reuse of the Legion — a building with major structural issues and little or no historic material left, which the City itself declined over the years to buy and preserve knowing it was a potential money pit. The 1991 Braddock Road plan envisioned it as a redevelopment site.
So why is the distinguished Mr. Trozzo suddenly advocating for Parker-Gray history and architecture after years of apparent indifference?
9 comments:
"The 1991 Braddock Road plan envisioned it as a redevelopment site."
Everybody knows Hamer's version of the Braddock Road Small Area Plan sucks.
Growler, you ask us why he is interested. I don't know this man and have no idea why he or anyone would want to preserve that unsightly building.
Is he in the mindset that the city shares (still unproven) that the building has historical value based on claims that Ella Fitzgerald may have sung there?
Does he have any ties to any former owners of the building?
Does he want to preserve this building because it will keep the old loitterers of the neighborhood around the Queen & Fayette corridor? (and thus preventing any chance of our neighborhood building itself out of quality of life problems which date back decades at this intersection)
Does he know William Cromley or have some grudge against him? Was he around or outspoken about the lofts development and constuction?
What does this man do for a living?
The city better stop for a moment and think long and hard about making it difficult for a developer to bring positive change to this area of the neighborhood. I will personally march down to City Hall and kick and sceam if they pay this man any mind and try to keep that awful looking building here.
Never heard of the good Mr. Truzzo, but he strikes me as yet another hypocritical City apologist.
Where was he when the Bland plan came about? It shocks me to the core that the massive (and hideous) Bland plan sailed through approvals, yet the BAR and the P&Z staff continues to harass small developers like Sas Ghari and Bill Cromley (both of whom have a history of building beautiful, environmentally sensitive projects), not to mention the shameful treatment regular homeowners receive. My own experience dealing with P&Z and BAR was hideous. I'll move before I do any more renovations to my house.
"Is he in the mindset that the city shares (still unproven) that the building has historical value based on claims that Ella Fitzgerald may have sung there?"
Yes, I think it's shameful that the City would demolish Bland without thinking, yet harass Mr. Cromley about demolishing this building because of the significant African American history there. Can you say DOUBLE STANDARD??????????
"demolishing this building because of the significant African American history there."
Significant African American history at the AL? PPLLEEAASSEE! You must be reading Hamer's error-filled Braddock history as explained it in THE Plan. No singers ever sung at the AL. But if you want to know about murder and mayhem.
"Everybody knows Hamer's version of the Braddock Road Small Area Plan sucks."
Apparently not everybody. Can we send Hamer on permanent vacation?
Speaking of Historic Parker Gray, I just checked the website below on another matter and noticed Parker Gray is not mentioned. Wasn't there some application that went in somewhere and does anyone know what happened to it?
http://www.nationalregisterofhistoricplaces.com/va/Alexandria/districts.html
In Virginia you have to apply to the state before you can nominate a building,district,etc to the National Register of Historic Places. A state appointed board then decides which applications will be sent on to the National level. The whole process can take years.
".. noticed Parker Gray is not mentioned. Wasn't there some application that went in somewhere and does anyone know what happened to it?"
Yes, the whole process was done more than a year ago now. The application reportedly went to the national level (after some error corrections by the City) with the state's blessing.
"The application reportedly went to the national level (after some error corrections by the City) with the state's blessing."
Not true. The Growler inquired several weeks ago about the status of the application and was told it is STILL pending after nearly three years because the state Department of Historic Resources has -- once again -- had to send it back to the City for corrections.
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