City and CDBIA continue AC Freeman House agreement review; HPAB lists preservation funding and demolition‑by‑neglect for Oct. 7 joint meeting

Senior project manager Danielle Berhouse updated the board on the AC Freeman House renovation: city staff said the draft agreement between the city and the Charlotte‑DeSoto Building Industry Association (CDBIA) is under legal review by the CDBIA’s attorney, and staff expect comments next week. Urban design staff reported on site visits with contractors and that interior planning for council‑chamber area design is underway.

CDBIA representative Donna Baron told the board the association prioritizes repair “like‑for‑like” and intends to return the restored house to the city once work is complete; she said the association will route the agreement through its board for approval once legal comments are received.

Board members asked staff to include the AC Freeman House use and scope on the agenda for the boards’ joint meeting with City Council on Oct. 7 (5 p.m.). The board also compiled several items it asked staff to put on that joint meeting agenda: (1) proposed uses for the AC Freeman House and how use choices affect renovation and accessibility requirements; (2) a proposed local preservation fund or other funding sources to assist owners of historic properties with rehabilitation; (3) policies to address demolition‑by‑neglect and whether the city should notify prospective buyers about a property’s historic status and maintenance obligations when a property is listed for sale; and (4) whether the Historic Preservation Advisory Board should have greater decision‑making authority (versus an advisory role) for specific categories of applications.

City staff confirmed they will collect suggested agenda items for the Oct. 7 joint meeting and that staff will continue preparing materials for council review on renovation plans for City Hall and the AC Freeman House. The board discussed that funding programs (for example, state or federal grant channels and historic‑preservation programs) are limited and that the board would like staff to research options (including preservation easements, state historic programs, and federal funding opportunities) to present to council.

Provenance (transcript excerpts): the staff update begins when Danielle Berhouse presents the status of the Freeman House agreement and staff site visits; the agenda‑planning discussion and list of items for the Oct. 7 joint meeting conclude with staff confirming they will include the board’s input.