Picketing to Save an Old House
Old Town residents are planning a peaceful picket outside a deteriorating historic house that could soon meet its demise should the mayor vote in favor of having it demolished at Monday evening's council meeting.
Old Town residents are planning a peaceful picket outside a deteriorating historic house that could soon meet its demise should the mayor vote in favor of having it torn down.
Old Town resident Harriet Carter who can see the unsightly house, located at 9300 Prescott Ave., from her home said "neighbors and friends of the property" who are in favor of preserving the city's historic appeal by maintainig its old houses will be out in front of the property Saturday at 1 p.m. to protest its possible demolition.
About a dozen residents met with Manassas City Mayor Harry J. Hal Parrish ll earlier this week to discuss a number of possibilities to save the historic house.
"We don't know how he is going to vote but we are hoping that he votes 'no' to demolishing the house," Carter said. "We would hope that the city would explore other options in dealing with the property."
Carter said there are not very many historic homes in tact in Manassas and it is not in the best interest of the city to lose this one.
People move to Old Town because they want to live in these old houses and visitors drive through Old Town just to look at the houses and enjoy their charm, Carter said.
Opponents of demolishing the house say the move will still cost the city money and will not fix the problem.
"It is in the city's interest not to demolish the home," Carter said. Even if the house goes the property still belongs to the owner, so then what? There will be a big, gaping hole."
Carter said residents have reached out to local developers to see about possibly getting the private sector involved, but the owner would have to sell, which she has declined to do in the past.
Residents are also interested in speaking to a representative from Bank of America, who took control of the property in July, to move forward with foreclosing on the property, so it can be sold to someone who will fix it up.
Robert Morris
4:34 pm on Friday, February 24, 2012
Looks for a good project for the "This Old House" program on PBS.
Harriet Carter
6:59 pm on Friday, February 24, 2012
Yes, that would be one of several solutions as opposed to tearing this historic site down.
Maria Briganti
8:49 pm on Friday, February 24, 2012
I believe that the words of Historic Old Town Manassas , should be reflected as such, Instead of using the effort and cost of tearing this home down maybe should be used to bring this beautiful home to a state that it could be sold to someone to live in?
People come to this town to see the Historic sites and homes. Surely someone would love to become its homeowner if given some time.
Maria Briganti
8:53 pm on Friday, February 24, 2012
Why not restore it and wait a while to see if someone would love to own it. It cost a chunk a money to tear it down and remove the debree.
Roz Minett
7:34 am on Saturday, February 25, 2012
How sad for Manassas if they demolish this house. We have to preserve our past. There are already too many parking lots, ugly buildings and I so enjoy seeing the older homes and imagining what life was back then. Mayor...please do not vote to demolish it. Something needs to be done to save it!
Kris Day
8:22 am on Saturday, February 25, 2012
I agree. It would be a shame for the city to demolish this historic house!
Michelle
8:42 am on Saturday, February 25, 2012
Please do not destroy this house . This city Ols town Manassas as all recall it was a battle here. Because of this we need to conserve everything that is historical.This is what it make as original from another cities. This house probable had so much beauty in the inside that ingenieres were surprice. PLEASE DO NOT DEMOLISH THAT WILL KILL PART OF THE HISTORY!!Think about the city, the people, the memories,the beauty when is restore. I LOVE THIS HOUSE I WICH WERE MINE
Doug Brown
11:56 am on Saturday, February 25, 2012
Instead of showing up with signs to protest, why haven't they showed up with lawn mowers and paint brushes over the years. It's now time to put up the money themselves/find other private funding, and direct their protest at the owners who have neglected keeping up their property for 15 years.
Or, we could simply invest in a few bucks for a big billboard which designates site as a "Historic Monument to Slum Lords Everywhere."
Hugh
11:42 am on Sunday, February 26, 2012
I live on Prescott Ave. and have attempted to speak to Ms. Feaganes while she sat on her porch only to be told to "get off my property or I'll call the police". I have written her letters begging her to reconsider her options. I have spoken to her on the phone only to be called a "liar". Still, we were picketing in support of her property rights and against Councilman Wolfe's proposal to demolish the 100+ year old historic home.