Today’s Norcross Result of 27-Year Effort

“Everything looks fine the way it is.  Why do we need a preservation ordinance?” Some citizens ask.  Others say the historic district today is the testament to hard work over nearly three decades by former civic, historic preservation and DDA groups, claiming preservation pays.

• Revitalization of 1970s and 1980s
• Downtown Development Authority of 1981 to 1989
• Troubled 1990s
• Today – Recent 2000-05 Accomplishments
• Recent condemnations of privately owned Norcross property

“Everything looks fine the way it is.  Why do we need a preservation ordinance?” Some citizens ask.  Others say the historic district today is the testament to hard work over nearly three decades by former civic, historic preservation and DDA groups, claiming preservation pays.

Revitalization of 1970s and 1980s

By the late 1970’s a new spirit was kindling, according to press accounts of the day.   Preservation promoters formed the Community Association that began meeting in the Log Cabin that the city had recently rescued.  As an outgrowth, the first Norcross Heritage Festival Tour of Homes was organized in 1979.  All over town could be heard the sound of renovation that spring as homes and buildings were readied.  The late Catherine Terrell designed the popular train engine logo. 

The annual tours continued through 1984 with proceeds used for “improving the environment and quality of life,” according to Barbara Doster who co-chaired several tours.  Using the nearly $4 thousand dollar tour proceeds, a Gazebo, a new playground, and turn-of-century park lighting were constructed in a first phase of a major park improvement program.   By 1980, the Association, led by Fraser Duke, achieved the prestigious listing in the National Registry of Historic Places because of the town’s careful attention to preservation.

 Hollywood discovered Norcross in 1983, and with City/DDA/citizen support, filmed the movie Night Shadows a/k/a Mutant starring Wings Houser and Bo Hopkins.  Film viewers today observe a time capsule of an historically intact Main Street.  Featured prominently in scenes are the McDaniel-Day House, the Rainey-Jones House, Cofer’s Gas Station, and Woods Animal Hospital.

Downtown Development Authority of 1981 to 1989

Norcross became one of the first municipalities in Georgia to take advantage of a 1981 state law permitting cities to create a Downtown Development Authority (DDA) to act to secure tax exempt, low interest, industrial development bonds for financing new businesses.  Chaired by John Webb, Members included Jane Holbrook, Rufus Dunagan, Irene Griffin, Al Jacobs, the late Paul Aland and Bob Slack.

The Southern Railroad Train Depot building was just barely saved from demolition in the late 1970’s.  As the story goes, just as the sledgehammers were poised to begin the demolition, Mayor Lillian Webb rushed up, blowing her car horn and begging them to wait until she could make a few phone calls.  She was still in her housecoat and could not get out of her car, the Mayor remembers.

The first DDA worked to support city efforts preserving and restoring the Train Depot, establishing a restaurant in it as a town focal point, and successfully fighting a proposed used car lot in front of Flint Hill Plantation. The Authority was not as successful forestalling the U. S. Postal Service with its still- operational vehicle parking and maintenance facility intrusion on Mitchell Street.   By 1986, the federal tax code had changed.

By 1987 the city council had approved a local preservation ordinance and obtained Grant money for the EDAW survey of historic property and comprehensive Design Guidelines.  Streetscape renovations, historic lighting, and color palettes were completed by 1989.

Troubled 1990s

However, by late 1989, a few vocal special-interest persons who no longer live here succeeded in pressuring a confused city council to remove the preservation ordinance and dissolve the DDA without much publicity or research.  The 1990’s, revitalization efforts waned as the council and Mayor Maurice Allen became embroiled in difficult times with a GBI investigation into a bail bond scandal involving the late police chief Kelly Everett, and a lawsuit brought by the Police Benevolent Association involving the Mayor (Mr. Maurice Allen), three council members and a former council member in an alleged ticket writing quota scandal, according to press accounts of the time.

 It was not until 1999-2000 when the city council received grant funding for the LCI Study that the heightened value of the overall historic properties and prestige of the city’s distinction as the only downtown in Gwinnett in The National Registry of Historic Places were once again pointed out by outside consultants.

Today – 2000+ Accomplishments

Another Holiday Tour of Homes was begun in 2001 by the Preservation Alliance, a tax-exempt foundation started by The Historic Norcross Homeowners Association, now The Norcross Neighbors, with proceeds going toward historic markers in the district.  As of this publication, news of future projects using previous proceeds is not publicly known.

The city council reconstituted the DDA in 2003 and hired a Main Street Coordinator.  Chairperson Rob Buck along with members Skip Nau, Billy Mullis, Antonio Serrano, Danny Lay, Doris Day, John Webb, and Craig Newton began organizing a Main Street program and other projects such as the new way-finding signage sponsored by Member Doris Day.

 Member Day’s Design Committee Historic Preservation sub-committee worked for two years researching and redrafting a local historic preservation ordinance designed to protect remaining historic property by requiring a hearing before rehab changes can be made, and making the district eligible for grant funding for a new survey.  Although the DDA voted unanimously to forward the completed ordinance to the council, the November 2005 city council, pressured by a few vocal special interests, rejected the proposed ordinance by a vote of 4-1.
 See Press Clips

With the promise of revitalizing Buford Highway under the new Community Improvement District (CID), developers are once again poised to take advantage of the  “Coming Home" feeling generated by unique 1840-1950 eras architectural history.  However, concerned citizens cite the lack of a protective local preservation ordinance within the historic district.  Without it, pressure from unplanned, unmanaged, unrestricted development endangers remaining historic properties.

Some observers’ note while the city has established two DDA Boards, a consistent source of funding has not been established.  The 2005 City Council, short on funds, allowed the DDA to sell the Wingo Street property and keep $40 thousand of the $640 thousand sale proceeds.

 Developers could demolish seven more contributing properties this year: The 1890s Naylor and Adams Houses for planned mixed-use on Cemetery Street; two of the four 1890’s – 1930’s Craftsman-style cottages on Wingo Street; the 1870 T-Folk cottage, the Early Modern  54 Jones Street building,  and the 1934 log cabin to make room for the proposed Cultural Arts Center and Plaza.
 
Save Historic Norcross grew out of efforts by a group of citizens in 2005 to raise community awareness by promoting balanced, responsible growth that preserves the town’s history and architectural assets.  The proposed local preservation ordinance may be viewed on this website.

• Read Preservation Ordinance Benefits
• Read Draft of Historic Preservation Ordinance
• See Related Links to learn how other successful cities are thriving with historic preservation ordinances

Save Historic Norcross
141 S. Peachtree Street
Norcross, Georgia
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