Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, August 12, 1995 TAG: 9508140035
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: CATHRYN McCUE STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
On hearing the news Thursday, City Council called a special meeting and met in closed session for 21/2 hours to discuss the issue. City Manager Jack Gross released a statement Friday that said council decided to cancel its own public comment period on the Wharton House, scheduled for Sept. 12.
"Rather than confuse the public any further ... they're just trying to do it all at the same time," said City Attorney Will Berry.
A date has not been set for the state librarian's hearing.
The Wharton House, built by one of the city's founding families, had served for years as the children's department of the Bedford Public Library. The Garden Club of Bedford maintained the adjacent wildflower garden, with century-old shade trees and boxwoods.
The house was vacated this summer in preparation for the move to the new $2.4 million library next door, which opened July 30. The city needs the grant money to finish paying for the new building.
The city applied for the grant several years ago and had to demonstrate that the construction project would not adversely affect the historic district, which is listed on the state and federal registers and which includes the Wharton House.
The grant was approved, but was called into question last month by a group of residents who fear the city plans to tear down the 112-year-old house. They contacted the state librarian, Noland Yelich, who has held the check back for about three weeks while seeking advice from the attorney general's office.
"I'm not going to do anything without their blessing," Yelich said this week. He is waiting for certification that the city's plans for the house comply with federal law.
City Attorney Will Berry said council has not decided what to do with the building. A committee is reviewing several options, including renovation, removal or demolition.
"They're getting pressure from all sides," he said. Some want to save the house; others want the dilapidated building torn down, he said.
The city maintains it has not violated the conditions of its application and is entitled to the grant money immediately. Gross refers to a paragraph from the application that states that the old house is in disrepair and no longer usable as part of the library. "It's future use is not a part of this study," the document states.
The preservationists point to the new library's master plan, which was part of the application and which shows the house and garden. An architectural historian with the state has said publicly that she approved the grant on condition that the old house not be disturbed.
"All they'd have to say is `no, we're not going to remove the house,' and the money comes," said Historical Society President David Cole. The Historical Society twice has made an offer to lease the building and fix it up, but has gotten no response. That, along with private conversations with some council members, has convinced the residents that the building is in jeopardy.
Adding to their suspicions, Cole has heard rumors that the city is looking to buy an even older house next to the Wharton House.
Berry confirmed that the city is talking with the owner, Dennis H. Robinson Jr., about acquiring the house, which also is in disrepair.
"The city is looking at ... how to clean up that whole area, make it attractive and fit with the new library," he said.
Cole stopped short of saying the Historical Society would sue council, but he said, "If we saw the bulldozers, we'd get an injunction and try to stop it."
by CNB