Demolition of Hoyt House OK’d
Redevelopment plans include townhomes and two single-story homes.
The Rome Historic Preservation Commission has approved demolition of the historic Hoyt House at 603 W. First St.
Before demolition can start, the family must submit plans and get HPC approval for what will be redeveloped on the site — they must provide a construction timetable and a letter detailing the financial arrangements for the project.
“This is not going to be a project where we just come in and bulldoze the property down,” said Jack Pearson, the son-in-law of Wade and Gayle Hoyt III. “This home is going to be taken apart very carefully. All of the historical elements and all the materials that are still viable are going to be re-used. I would call it a dismantling of the home.”
The home, built circa 1867, has been the victim of a number of fires through the years. Gayle Hoyt said very little of the original structure still exists. HPC member Roger Wade said because of the various additions and reconstructions that has taken place he would be tempted to consider it as a non-contributing member to the Between the Rivers Historic District. Sam Moss told the board the old home was completely surrounded by buildings, “with no historic value whatsoever.”
Redevelopment plans include four townhome type buildings facing East First Street that would be available for lease, Pearson said, with two single story homes up on the hill where the existing building sits.
Members of the Hoyt families would live in those buildings.
The new construction will have to meet criteria for new construction within the historic district.
The HPC rejected a request from Chris Miller to put a metal roof on his home at 107 Westmore Road in the College Heights Historic District. Miller said there was nothing wrong with the current asphalt shingle roof.
“I want to put on a metal roof that will last longer than I will,” Miller said.
Wade remarked there were no other homes in the entire historic district off Shorter Avenue that had metal roofs.
The panel did approve Chris Boswell’s request to replace three rotting wood windows at 1 Fair St. in the Oakdene Historic District with vinyl-clad windows.