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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHPC.Minutes.06-23-2020CITY Of CAPE GIRARDEAU HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES June 23, 2020 City Hall — Council Chambers Present: Mark Bliss, Lauren Clark, Brianna DeWitt, Anne Hendrix, Bonnie Kipper, Ken Markin, Peter Reckling, Phyllis Sides Absent: Michael McKeever Staff Present: Molly Mehner, Carol Peters, Ryan Shrimplin Others Present: Dr. Steven Hoffman, Southeast Missouri State University Historic Preservation Program Coordinator and HPC Advisor Call to Orrip-r Chairman DeWitt called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Approval of Minutes The minutes of the April 15, 2020 meeting were unanimously approved with corrections upon motion made by Ms. Clark and seconded by Mr. Markin. OTHER BUSINESS Confederate Monument Discussion Chairman DeWitt explained that at the June 15, 2020 City Council meeting, citizens appeared before the Council to request removal of the Confederate States of America (CSA) monument at Ivers, Square. Upon discussion, Mayor Fox directed the City staff to research the matter and consult with the Historic Preservation Commission and other groups to assist the Council in making a decision. In preparation for tonight's meeting, the Commission reviewed various literature on the topic of CSA monuments, ranging from research articles to formal statements issued by the National Trust for Historic Preservation and other organizations. Rather than simply discuss the pros and cons of removing the monument, it was decided that the Commission should make a formal recommendation to the Council. She stated that she will allow each Commission member and Dr. Hoffman to make their comments, after which the Commission will discuss the comments and make a recommendation. Mr. Markin stated that he will be voting to remove the monument for three main reasons. First, the CSA was formed in order to perpetuate slavery, and a monument memorializing those who fought for the CSA does not belong on public property. Second, those who served the CSA were traitors and therefore they should not be honored. Third, Cape Girardeau is in a unique position to grow as a community. Seeing a CSA monument on the grounds of the new City Hall may make some people think twice about moving here. Ms. Clark commented that she feels the monument should be moved to a location where citizens won't have to see it when entering and leaving the new City Hall. City of Cape Girardeau Historic Preservation Commission Special Meeting Minutes June 23, 2020 Page 2 of 3 Mr. Reckling expressed his agreement with Mr. Markin and Ms. Clark, and stated that the monument represents a bias toward slavery. Ms. Sides stated that she feels the monument is a symbol of hatred and oppression, and as such it should be removed. Ms. Kipper noted that the CSA monument was originally erected on Morgan Oak Street near the old Mississippi River bridge and was moved to its current location in 1995. She stated that she does not want the monument to be destroyed because it is a part of the city's history, but she feels it would be better suited for a museum. Chairman DeWitt read a statement issued by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The statement expressed support for removing CSA monuments from public spaces and relocating them to museums or other places where they may be preserved and contextualized as elements of Jim Crow and racial injustice. She noted that although current events have brought this issue to the forefront, it is not a new topic. Her students have discussed the issues of race and white supremacy before. She concluded by expressing her support for relocating the monument. Mr. Bliss commented that moving the monument will not compromise the historic integrity of the Common Pleas Courthouse grounds because it was moved from its original location. He noted that most of the soldiers from Cape Girardeau served in the Union Army. He added that the CSA monument does not reflect the values of the overall community. He agreed with Ms. Kipper that it should be relocated to a museum. He also agreed that it would leave the wrong impression if left at Ivers Square. Dr. Hoffman discussed the challenges with finding a new home for the monument. He explained that if it were to be moved to Old Lorimier Cemetery, the River Heritage Museum, or to a place owned by Cape Girardeau County or Southeast Missouri State University, as some have suggested, it would still be on public property and/or maintained with public funds. If it were to be given to a private organization, it may not be contextualized as desired by the Commission. The sheer size and weight of the monument is also an issue. The local museums are not that large and may not be willing to devote precious floor space to such a controversial monument. There are places in the state that may have room for it, but that would mean the monument would be removed from the community entirely. He suggested removing the monument now and placing it into storage until a decision is made about where to relocate it. Ms. Hendrix asked how the monument ended up on the Courthouse grounds. Ms. Mehner explained that the property was maintained by Cape Girardeau County at the time, and there is no record of the monument ever being formally accepted. The U.S. Colored Troop Memorial statue, on the other hand, was formally accepted by the City Council. Ms. Hendrix expressed her agreement with the other Commissioners about relocating the monument rather than destroying it. She stated that although the monument represents an ugly part of the city's past, it is something people should learn from. Dr. Hoffman explained that the Union statue and fountain, the bandstand, and the front steps are historic elements of the Courthouse grounds because they were originally erected or constructed on the property. The CSA monument, on the other hand, was originally in a different location and was moved to the Courthouse grounds decades later. Although the CSA monument is still considered historically significant by some, it has lost its historic integrity by being moved. Therefore, it cannot be considered a historic element of the Courthouse grounds. City of Cape Girardeau Historic Preservation Commission Special Meeting Minutes June 23, 2020 Page 3 of 3 Ms. Clark commented that establishing and maintaining a museum exhibit can be expensive; therefore, many museums will not be open to receiving the monument without additional funding. A motion was made by Ms. Clark and seconded by Mr. Bliss to recommend the following: 1) That the Confederate States of America (CSA) monument be immediately removed from Ivers Square and placed into storage until such time a new home for the monument is found; 2) That as a condition of receiving the monument, the recipient be required to display the monument with interpretive material explaining the "Lost Cause" ideology that was promulgated at the time the monument was first erected; and 3) That the monument not be displayed on public property or private property supported by public funding. The motion passed unanimously. Election of Officers The Commission held its annual election of officers. A motion was made by Ms. Kipper and seconded by Ms. Hendrix to re-elect Ms. DeWitt as Chairman. A motion was made by Ms. DeWitt and seconded by Ms. Clark to elect Ms. Kipper as Vice Chairman. A motion was made by Mr. Reckling and seconded by Mr. Bliss to elect Ms. Clark as Secretary. All three motions were unanimously approved. Committee Reports and Assignments None of the Commission members had any committee reports to give or assignments to discuss. Commission Communication Chairman DeWitt welcomed Mr. Bliss and Ms. Sides to the Commission and thanked them for joining. Chairman DeWitt gave a report on the City Hall virtual panel discussion held on May 27, 2020. Mr. Bliss remarked that he wishes more citizens would watch the video because it explains the rationale behind the design of the new City Hall at Ivers Square. He noted that many citizens feel the addition should have a brick exterior in order to blend in with the Common Pleas Courthouse and the Carnegie Library. Ms. Mehner expressed her agreement, and stated that the City staff has discussed ways to educate the public about the project. She then gave an update on the project, reporting that excavation for the parking structure is complete and excavation for the basement of the addition will begin soon. In addition, interior work at the Courthouse and the Library is underway. The project is scheduled to be completed in September 2021. Adjournment Upon motion made by Mr. Reckling and seconded by Ms. Hendrix, the Commission voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 8:10 p.m. Respectfully submitted, 11�, C, Lauren Clark Secretary