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The Record’s online poll from June 17-28 asked readers whether they think the city should adopt a demolition review period for historic resources.
Preservationists in San Marcos are mourning the loss of a building on the National Register of Historic Places that has been demolished to make room for a multifamily development.
The old San Marcos Telephone Company building, at 138 W. San Antonio St., was added to the National Register in 1983. According to the nomination form for the building, the San Marcos Telephone Company erected the Spanish-Colonial Revival building in 1928. Though the San Marcos Telephone Company building listed in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP), it is not listed as a local landmark and is just outside the Downtown Historic District — meaning that designation does not exempt it from demolition.
The telephone building, the old Ozona Bank and other structures in that block between Hopkins and San Antonio Street are being demolished to make way for San Marcos Lofts 1, a multifamily development expected to be completed in 2020.
Griffin Spell, chair of the San Marcos Historic Preservation Commission, has proposed a demolition review period for historic resources as part of the My Historic SMTX Survey — which is moving forward, with formal adoption by the Historic Preservation Commission tentatively scheduled for July 11.
The poll asking, “Do you think the city should adopt a demolition review period for historic resources?” received a total of 291 votes, with the majority of votes — 78 percent or 228 votes — going to option “Yes, it will give residents and city leadership a chance to weigh in on historic resources.” Twenty-two percent of voters chose, “No, if it’s private property, the owner should be able to do as they please.”
A majority of poll voters think that the city should adopt a demolition review period for historic resources to give residents and city leadership a chance to weigh in before demolition can start. Every week, the Record gives its readers the opportunity to voice their opinions on different topics. This poll does not, and does not purport to accurately depict public opinion. It is only intended to inspire thought-provoking discussion within the community.
SMDR’s new poll is available online now and asks for readers’ opinions on whether they think the Texas Constitution allows for delegation of the power of eminent domain to a private company without more landowner and taxpayer oversight. It can be voted on now.
