The owner of the Historic Eoff-Brady House wants it gone!
The current owner wants to "deconstruct" this 1898 Queen Anne House at 140 West Main (2nd & Main). He wants to build condos on the lot and proposes taking the house apart and selling the pieces as salvage.
The Eoff-Brady House is one of the best examples of Queen Anne architecture in the entire city and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Built in 1898 and designed by John J. Tourtellotte, it has served as a private home, the Governor’s Mansion, and most recently, as apartment housing.
The Mayor and City Council agree this is a TERRIBLE idea.
They have put a 182 day moratorium on any demolition of this house and neighboring properties and are moving to create a new Local Historic District on that block that will permanently prevent demolition of the property and its neighbors.
The house and its neighbors are in a National Historic District, however, this provides NO actual protection; it is a tribute to their historic value but cannot protect any of these homes from destruction. Only designation as a Local Historic District provides true protection for any home in the city.
WE NEED YOUR HELP IN LETTING CITY COUNCIL KNOW WE SUPPORT WHAT THEY ARE DOING!
IF YOU ONLY WRITE ONE EMAIL THIS YEAR, PLEASE LET THIS BE IT! All you need to say is: "Regarding CAR18-00020 PZC Level Rezone & CPA18-00005 Comp Plan amendment, I support creation of new Local Historic District to include the Eoff-Brady House at 140 W Main Street and its neighbors. Please do not let this house and the rest of the neighborhood be left unprotected any longer"
You can cut and paste the above comment and send it and anything else you would like to say to Ted Vanegas at the City of Boise Historic Preservation Department. He will collect the comments and present them at all three important hearings. The hearings are Planning & Zoning, the Historic Preservation Commission, and finally City Council where a final vote will be taken.
Comments must be received by Friday, September 21st.
tvanegas@cityofboise.org
WE NEED AT LEAST 200 EMAILS OR LETTERS. Please take just a few minutes to get this done today.
Please send an email today and consider attending the first Planning & Zoning October 1st hearing at City Hall at 6 PM. We will update you with the dates of the next two hearings. With a good turnout and a few hundred supportive emails, we can encourage the city to complete the historic district. Some of the owners in the proposed district will fight this effort and the city needs to know they have the support of the public to do the right thing. This home is irreplaceable in Boise's history. Its architecture and craftsmanship are of the highest order. When you inherit or buy a home like this, you have accountability for being a steward of it. Whether or not Boise needs more condos, we don't need them here!