COUNTY OF EL PASO
COUNTY OF EL PASO DAVID CoSTOUT COUNTY COMMISS10NEL PRECINCT TWO February 6,2077 Honorable THC Commissioners Texas Historical Commission
1511 Colorado Street Austin, Texas 78707 Dear THC Commissioners, At your latest meeting to consider applications for historic designations, eight applications prepared and submitted by the El Paso County Historical Commission (CHC) were held back for further review. Among those was an application for a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark (RTHL) designation for the former Chinese laundry building located at2l2 W. Overland Avenue in the
Union Plaza District. This structure is a significant relic that illustrates the contributions of Chinese immigrants to El Paso's growth, economy, and overall history. This structure also faces serious risk of destruction unless certain interventions occur, including an RTHL designation.
letter submitted to you from the Greater El Paso Chamber of Commerce's board chair and CEO, discouraging the THC from approving the RTHL for the Chinese laundry building. The Chamber of Commerce cites "fundamental flaws" in the submission of that application. While there have been errors on the part of the CHC, the Chamber's characterization was incorrect and unfair. I was disappointed to read a
The CHC's historical markers committee prepared and submitted the Chinese laundry building RTHL application, among others, as they have consistently done over the years. That action is noted in the CHC's minutes for the regular meeting on f anuary 9,2017 .
While we have discovered that recently there may have been compliance issues with the Texas Open Meetings Act TTOMA) on behalf of the CHC, the El Paso County Attorney's office has reviewed the CHC's meeting processes and the El Paso County Commissioners Court instructed them to submit their findings to the District Attorney, however, no charges have been filed to date' The members of the CHC, like all citizens, must be presumed innocent, contrary to the tone of the Chamber's letter which reads more like an indictment' I sincerely believe that if processes were not followed by the CHC, then it was done unintentionally, and that the County of El Paso bears responsibility, in part, for not providing adequate trainings covering ethics and TOMA. As a result of all that has surfaced, trainings are being organized and will commence in the coming weeks by the County of El Paso to ensure all of our volunteer boards and commissions adhere to strict practice of our Code of Ethics and TOMA.
111胤 :t器既 7』 器 鞭79901 卿ま 3817 21110F,x:1915)5● ‐ E。
PbonetC919 546‐
Emain cOmanittoner2cepcoumty.conl
And as of Friday, February 3,2017, in light of the THC's action to hold the applications for further review, the CHC has taken steps to correct the process involved with this issue, and voted to rati$r seven of the eight applications, including the application for 272 W . Overland Avenue. They did so in accordance with the provisions set forth by TOMA. The Chamber's letter also makes reference to the RTHL application lacking the notarized signature by the property owner of ZLZ W. Overland Avenue at the time of submission. What the Chamber failed to disclose or acknowledge was the fact that the property owner was indisposed at the time and could therefore not sign the application to which he consented. It is also my understanding that this was made clear to the THC, who generously provided an extension to the CHC which was approved by Mr. Bob Brinkman, the THC's Historical Markers Program Coordinator. It is also my understanding that providing extensions for applications is not uncommon. Most disappointingly, in the Chamber's letter, they assert that the CHC's RTHL application "was not done for true historic reasons but simply to oppose the City's arena plans." By that same measuring stich the Chamber - which has publicly supported the City arena plans at the behest of wealthy, private developers - did not submit their letter to you for altruistic purposes.
Contrary to the Chamber's argument that the CHC deviated from their parameters by advocating on a major public issue, state statute provides the space for such commissions to advocate issues. Chapter 318, Section 318.007 of the Texas Local Government Code makes clear that, "The commission should strive to create countywide awareness and appreciation of historic preservation and its benefits and uses." The Chamber further notes that significant structures related to the story of Chinese migration are located elsewhere in El Paso and not the Union Plaza District. Until the Chamber produces accurate evidence and citations to prove that, I urge you not to take historic preservation advice from armchair experts. I believe their assessment is not only dismissive of the historic contributions of the Chinese in this community, but it is a slap in the face to that community, which has recently spoken out regarding their discontent with plans to do away with the last standing vestige of their heritage in the downtown area. The CHC, on the other hand, in their application, has demonstrated fully the historic significance of the Chinese laundry building at 212 W. Overland Avenue. As I stated in a previous letter, the County of El Paso is preparing to embark on an ambitious historic and architectural resources survey in Downtown El Paso and two adjacent historic neighborhoods, Segundo Barrio and Chihuahuita. The survey would cover the Union Plaza District and we aim to apply for a designation from the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) for the
survey area. Finally, a 1998 survey of the Union Plaza District titled, "The Union Plaza Downtown El Paso Development Archaeological Project: Overview, Inventory and Recommendations," conducted for the Sun Metro Transit Authority and the City of El Paso found numerous historic structures and landmarks within the Union Plaza District. That survey recommended nominations for a NRHP district as well as 20 NRHP designations for individual buildings. The survey also noted the risk these historic gems face, "The Union Plaza, part of the original Ponce de Leon Ranch (El Paso's first community), contains historic sites and buildings that are potentially in danger of being impacted by construction during redevelopment."
The report goes on to say: "Many of the historical architecturol properties within the project area appeor to be intact representatives of periods ofthe historicol evolution of the El Paso urban environment (criterion a), as well as representotive historicol structures of architectural sryles associated with this historical development (criterion c). Furthermore, these structures as well as orchaeological deposits extant within the Union PIazo Project Area appear to have the potential to contribute data toward our understanding of the history of the project area (criterion d). For these reasons, we recommend that o nomination be developed for eligibility as a National Register District. This designation will provide incentives for development ond rehabilitation of the project orea along historical themes and guidelines, as well as a recognition of the significant role that the structures and landscape of the project area has played in the urban evolution of El Paso... Furthermore, we recommend that additional sites ond structures, important in the history of El Poso, within the Ilnion Ploza project areo be designoted with historical markers os part of the historical marker program of the Texas Historical Commission, for commemoration of events and places within the distrtct "
It remains clear that the Union Plaza District, along with buildings, structures, and sites within the neighborhood, are indeed historically and architecturally significant and warrant immediate attention before they are forever lost. I respectfully urge you to approve the RTHL application for the property located at 212 W. Overland Avenue at your next meeting. Ifyou have any questions or would like additional information or clarification, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Thank you for your time and consideration on this important and urgent matter.
=Ner* Sincerely,
David C Stout
1511 Colorado Street Austin, Texas 78707 Dear THC Commissioners, At your latest meeting to consider applications for historic designations, eight applications prepared and submitted by the El Paso County Historical Commission (CHC) were held back for further review. Among those was an application for a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark (RTHL) designation for the former Chinese laundry building located at2l2 W. Overland Avenue in the
Union Plaza District. This structure is a significant relic that illustrates the contributions of Chinese immigrants to El Paso's growth, economy, and overall history. This structure also faces serious risk of destruction unless certain interventions occur, including an RTHL designation.
letter submitted to you from the Greater El Paso Chamber of Commerce's board chair and CEO, discouraging the THC from approving the RTHL for the Chinese laundry building. The Chamber of Commerce cites "fundamental flaws" in the submission of that application. While there have been errors on the part of the CHC, the Chamber's characterization was incorrect and unfair. I was disappointed to read a
The CHC's historical markers committee prepared and submitted the Chinese laundry building RTHL application, among others, as they have consistently done over the years. That action is noted in the CHC's minutes for the regular meeting on f anuary 9,2017 .
While we have discovered that recently there may have been compliance issues with the Texas Open Meetings Act TTOMA) on behalf of the CHC, the El Paso County Attorney's office has reviewed the CHC's meeting processes and the El Paso County Commissioners Court instructed them to submit their findings to the District Attorney, however, no charges have been filed to date' The members of the CHC, like all citizens, must be presumed innocent, contrary to the tone of the Chamber's letter which reads more like an indictment' I sincerely believe that if processes were not followed by the CHC, then it was done unintentionally, and that the County of El Paso bears responsibility, in part, for not providing adequate trainings covering ethics and TOMA. As a result of all that has surfaced, trainings are being organized and will commence in the coming weeks by the County of El Paso to ensure all of our volunteer boards and commissions adhere to strict practice of our Code of Ethics and TOMA.
111胤 :t器既 7』 器 鞭79901 卿ま 3817 21110F,x:1915)5● ‐ E。
PbonetC919 546‐
Emain cOmanittoner2cepcoumty.conl
And as of Friday, February 3,2017, in light of the THC's action to hold the applications for further review, the CHC has taken steps to correct the process involved with this issue, and voted to rati$r seven of the eight applications, including the application for 272 W . Overland Avenue. They did so in accordance with the provisions set forth by TOMA. The Chamber's letter also makes reference to the RTHL application lacking the notarized signature by the property owner of ZLZ W. Overland Avenue at the time of submission. What the Chamber failed to disclose or acknowledge was the fact that the property owner was indisposed at the time and could therefore not sign the application to which he consented. It is also my understanding that this was made clear to the THC, who generously provided an extension to the CHC which was approved by Mr. Bob Brinkman, the THC's Historical Markers Program Coordinator. It is also my understanding that providing extensions for applications is not uncommon. Most disappointingly, in the Chamber's letter, they assert that the CHC's RTHL application "was not done for true historic reasons but simply to oppose the City's arena plans." By that same measuring stich the Chamber - which has publicly supported the City arena plans at the behest of wealthy, private developers - did not submit their letter to you for altruistic purposes.
Contrary to the Chamber's argument that the CHC deviated from their parameters by advocating on a major public issue, state statute provides the space for such commissions to advocate issues. Chapter 318, Section 318.007 of the Texas Local Government Code makes clear that, "The commission should strive to create countywide awareness and appreciation of historic preservation and its benefits and uses." The Chamber further notes that significant structures related to the story of Chinese migration are located elsewhere in El Paso and not the Union Plaza District. Until the Chamber produces accurate evidence and citations to prove that, I urge you not to take historic preservation advice from armchair experts. I believe their assessment is not only dismissive of the historic contributions of the Chinese in this community, but it is a slap in the face to that community, which has recently spoken out regarding their discontent with plans to do away with the last standing vestige of their heritage in the downtown area. The CHC, on the other hand, in their application, has demonstrated fully the historic significance of the Chinese laundry building at 212 W. Overland Avenue. As I stated in a previous letter, the County of El Paso is preparing to embark on an ambitious historic and architectural resources survey in Downtown El Paso and two adjacent historic neighborhoods, Segundo Barrio and Chihuahuita. The survey would cover the Union Plaza District and we aim to apply for a designation from the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) for the
survey area. Finally, a 1998 survey of the Union Plaza District titled, "The Union Plaza Downtown El Paso Development Archaeological Project: Overview, Inventory and Recommendations," conducted for the Sun Metro Transit Authority and the City of El Paso found numerous historic structures and landmarks within the Union Plaza District. That survey recommended nominations for a NRHP district as well as 20 NRHP designations for individual buildings. The survey also noted the risk these historic gems face, "The Union Plaza, part of the original Ponce de Leon Ranch (El Paso's first community), contains historic sites and buildings that are potentially in danger of being impacted by construction during redevelopment."
The report goes on to say: "Many of the historical architecturol properties within the project area appeor to be intact representatives of periods ofthe historicol evolution of the El Paso urban environment (criterion a), as well as representotive historicol structures of architectural sryles associated with this historical development (criterion c). Furthermore, these structures as well as orchaeological deposits extant within the Union PIazo Project Area appear to have the potential to contribute data toward our understanding of the history of the project area (criterion d). For these reasons, we recommend that o nomination be developed for eligibility as a National Register District. This designation will provide incentives for development ond rehabilitation of the project orea along historical themes and guidelines, as well as a recognition of the significant role that the structures and landscape of the project area has played in the urban evolution of El Paso... Furthermore, we recommend that additional sites ond structures, important in the history of El Poso, within the Ilnion Ploza project areo be designoted with historical markers os part of the historical marker program of the Texas Historical Commission, for commemoration of events and places within the distrtct "
It remains clear that the Union Plaza District, along with buildings, structures, and sites within the neighborhood, are indeed historically and architecturally significant and warrant immediate attention before they are forever lost. I respectfully urge you to approve the RTHL application for the property located at 212 W. Overland Avenue at your next meeting. Ifyou have any questions or would like additional information or clarification, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Thank you for your time and consideration on this important and urgent matter.
=Ner* Sincerely,
David C Stout
