HPA No. 1998-150 through 1998-153 (In re. Union Temple Baptist Church's residential buildings)

HPA Number: 1998-150 through 1998-153
Building Name: Union Temple Baptist Church's residential buildings
Address: 1230-1236 Pleasant St. SE
Date of Order: 18-Dec-98

Summary:

Union Temple Baptist Church ("Applicant") sought permission to demolish four residential buildings located in the Anacostia Historic District. In November 1991, the D.C. Board of Condemnation issued an order to raze all four buildings. According to the D.C. Historic Preservation Office ("HPO") Staff Report, the buildings were contributing structures within the Anacostia Historic District by virtue of their age, architectural design, and integrity. The D.C. Historic Preservation Review Board ("HPRB") adopted the Staff Report, which recommended denying the demolition permit applications for being inconsistent with the purposes of D.C. Law 2-144. The Mayor's Agent denied permission to demolish the buildings because the Applicant had not met its burden of proof in demonstrating that the demolitions were consistent with the purposes of the Act.

Economic Hardship- General:

A claim of economic hardship must be supported by evidence of such hardship on the record. The Mayor's Agent observed that "despite a [general] reference to economic hardship, the Applicant has presented no evidence on the record to corroborate a [single] reference to such hardship."

Integrity, Loss of:

Although the D.C. Board of Condemnation had determined that the four buildings constituted a health and safety hazard, the Mayor's Agent held that "despite the deteriorated condition of the structures, at least the four facades all retain their integrity, and are worthy of not being demolished at this time."

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