Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Historic Preservation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Natchitoches Historic Foundation outlines Rock House reopening, city to introduce cooperative agreement
Summary
The Natchitoches Historic Foundation told the council the Rock House restoration is nearly complete and proposed a cooperative endeavor agreement to formalize use and maintenance; foundation leaders plan regular public openings funded in part by rental income.
Councilwoman Smith Kuykendahl introduced an ordinance to authorize a cooperative endeavor agreement (CEA) with the Natchitoches Historic Foundation (NHF) to formalize the longstanding arrangement for the Rock House site along the Cane River.
Dr. Baron, speaking for NHF and describing his role as chair of the steering committee, said the adaptive restoration is nearly finished and highlighted investments in the riverbank and support facilities. "We're at the end of our punch list. We think we'll finish it in the next week or two," he told the council, and described plans to open the Rock House on weekends and for community events while using rental income to fund maintenance and public hours. He reported a recent weekend opening that drew more than 400 visitors and outlined modest increases in rental charges to support operations and storage needs.
The ordinance is at the introduction stage; council did not vote on the CEA at the Oct. 27 meeting but expressed support for partnership and asked staff to proceed with normal review. Dr. Baron asked for public volunteers to serve as hosts and said NHF will work with the city on administration of rentals to keep the process simple for visitors.
Provenance: The ordinance introduction and NHF presentation are documented in the transcript at the ordinance reading (SEG 944–SEG 981) and the foundation presentation (SEG 995–SEG 1174).
