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City, county and developer continue talks to preserve homestead at former Evers property; relocation remains option
Summary
City staff told the council they are working with Denton County and other stakeholders to preserve a historic homestead on the former Evers property and expect to bring a development agreement to council in April or May. Relocation to a county parcel is one option; preservation on-site is also being explored.
Assistant City Manager Christine Taylor updated the council on March 4 about ongoing efforts to preserve a homestead on the former Evers property along North Elm Street.
Taylor said the city had previously asked for a 30-day extension to investigate alternatives after learning the county had interest in the structure. City staff reported an estimate for a full relocation of the house of approximately $200,000 and that the developer had offered up to $100,000 of its demolition allowance to support preservation or relocation.
Taylor told council staff and the developer remain in regular communication and that Denton County has discussed both relocating the house to a county property and maintaining it in place on the existing parcel. "We feel very confident that we're working toward a solution in the coming days or months," Taylor said, and staff anticipated presenting a development agreement for council consideration in April or May.
Council questions and clarifications
- Councilmembers asked whether county involvement would require relocation; staff said no, both relocation and on-site county stewardship remained possible.
- Councilmembers asked whether any expressions of interest from the University of North Texas referenced during public comment represented the university administration; Taylor said a UNT professor expressed interest during public comment but staff had not had substantive conversations with UNT administration.
- Councilmembers asked the city to ensure any municipal obligations for long-term maintenance be made explicit if the county or another party takes ownership; staff said they would seek to structure any conveyance or agreement to avoid leaving unfunded maintenance obligations with the city.
Next steps
Taylor said staff expects to present a development agreement in April or May that would allow the developer to proceed with its overall project while preserving the homestead either in place or relocated. The developer is supportive of preservation efforts and has signaled willingness to cooperate financially within the limits of its previously discussed demolition allowance.
Ending: No final decision was made at the meeting. Council asked staff to finalize negotiations with Denton County and other interested parties and to return with a specific development-agreement proposal for council action.
