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Kinston commission unanimously recommends three buildings for local historic landmark status
Summary
At its Jan. 20 meeting the Historic Preservation Commission unanimously recommended City Council approve local landmark designations for the O'Neil (former Farmers and Merchants Bank), the Imperial Tobacco Company Office Building, and the Midtown Motor Lodge; property owner Stephen Hill recused and spoke in favor of each.
The Historic Preservation Commission of Kinston on Jan. 20 unanimously approved recommendations that three properties be designated as local historic landmarks and forwarded those recommendations to City Council.
Staff liaison Mr. Kearney presented each nomination, citing architectural significance and historical associations. For 200 N. Queen St. (the O'Neil, formerly Farmers and Merchants Bank), Kearney said the building, constructed in 1924 and designed by Benton and Benton, is significant for its Renaissance Revival architecture and its role in Kinston's early-20th-century banking economy. Stephen Hill, the property owner, recused from the vote and spoke in favor of the designation; no one spoke in opposition. The commission voted unanimously to recommend designation to City Council.
For 426 N. Heritage St. (the Imperial Tobacco Company Office Building), Kearney described the circa-1925 structure as historically significant as the administrative center for Imperial Tobacco Company and architecturally notable for its decorative brickwork and classically inspired entrances. Hill recused and spoke in favor, noting the building's rehabilitation and listing on the National Register of Historic Places; again there was no opposition and the commission voted unanimously to recommend designation.
For 501 N. Herritage St. (the Midtown Motor Lodge), Kearney noted the 1963 motor-inn reflects post–World War II automobile-oriented travel with an intact U-shaped plan, curtain wall construction, cantilevered balconies and courtyard pool; the proposed designation excludes the pool. Hill recused and spoke in favor, and Mrs. Kathy Reese also commented on the property's retro character; no opposition was recorded and the commission voted unanimously to forward the recommendation to City Council.
Each designation vote was a formal motion recorded by the commission and passed unanimously. The commission's action is a recommendation; final designation will be decided by the Kinston City Council.
The commission opened and closed public hearings on the items during the meeting and is expected to transmit the recommendations and supporting staff reports to City Council for consideration.
