THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, January 7, 1997 TAG: 9701070222
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY SUSIE STOUGHTON, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: SUFFOLK LENGTH: 75 lines
More than once, Building Official Wayne Whitehurst has reluctantly halted renovations on two historic, boarded-up buildings on North Main Street.
The ``stop work'' orders are required when building permits expire - even if little or none of the authorized work has been done. What Whitehurst and local preservationists wish for is work to keep the buildings from further deterioration.
Many fear that Prentis House - possibly the city's oldest residence and now perhaps best known for the mural-decorated plywood surrounding it - and a former store across the railroad tracks will soon be beyond repair.
Whitehurst and members of the Suffolk-Nansemond Historical Society want to see renovations that were agreed to when the owner bought the properties completed on the early 19th century structures.
But the city cannot force the owner, F.A. McCartney, to do the work. The ``stop work'' signs must be posted when building permits expire after six months of inactivity.
McCartney, who has owned the buildings since 1992, did not return repeated phone calls from The Virginian-Pilot to his office Friday and Monday. His former partner, Robert E. Gillette, sold his interest in the buildings to McCartney in 1995, when Gillette became a judge.
The buildings would be considered for demolition if they posed a danger, Whitehurst said.
For now, fences surround the buildings.
In 1992, historical society members had artists paint the plywood around Prentis House with images of historic buildings. But the colorful scenes cannot hide the dilapidated structure.
The deed for the 1820 Gardeners Store, most recently operated by Norfolk Welders' Supply Inc., stipulates that improvements are to be done within a ``reasonable period of time.'' If not, the property would be returned to Preservation of Historic Suffolk Inc., a citizens' group.
``Reasonable,'' however, is not defined.
Whitehurst said the last inspections on the properties were done May 3, 1996.
Members of the Downtown Suffolk Association are also concerned.
``It's been a regular topic of conversation for several years as to what can be done,'' said Robert Chisom, DSA's executive director.
The former CSX Railroad depot across the street will soon be remodeled into a visitor's center, he said. And the dilapidated buildings are ``constant reminders of what's not being done.'' Chisom said.
When the train station remodeling gets under way, the work will focus a much more positive image on the area, Chisom said.
``Maybe the owner will have more interest in renovating or transferring the property over.''
Betsy Brothers, president of the Suffolk-Nansemond Historical Society, said the preservation group is also concerned that the buildings will be lost.
``Some of us feel as long as something is standing, there is hope,'' she said. ``But they may have reached a point where restoration is so costly it's almost hopeless. . . .
Those interested in historic preservation say there's no unified plan to preserve the city's rich heritage.
``We have the potential,'' Brothers said, ``if we just have enough sense to use it appropriately.''
Restoring the historic Main Street properties could either ``make or break Suffolk for the future,'' Brothers said.
``If not, we will just be an ordinary town that could have been wonderful.'' MEMO: Seven Suffolk homes of historic significance are for sale/B3 ILLUSTRATION: [Color Photo]
JOHN H. SHEALLY II
The Virginian-Pilot
The Prentis House is possibly Suffolk's oldest residence. It is
currently surrounded by mural-decorated plywood.