Fate Uncertain For Historic Holt Park Cabin
A backhoe and roll-off trash bin sit beside boarded up cabin and park advocates say the county has a demolition permit but a county spokeswoman says nothing has been decided.
Photos
UPDATE (2 p.m. July 25)— Baltimore County spokeswoman Ellen Kobler confirmed this morning that a permit to raze the cabin was issued by the county on June 29.
A backhoe and a roll-off trash bin sit outside a boarded up cabin near the entrance to Lillian Holt Park and Center for the Arts in the Elmwood neighborhood.
The building, used for storage and meeting space for performers and volunteers, was set to be torn down by Baltimore County, but now the future of the 80-year-old cabin is uncertain.
Baltimore County spokeswoman Ellen Kobler told Patch Tuesday morning that a final decision about razing the cabin had yet to be made.
"The county executive is aware of the community interest in the building," Kobler said. "The current status is that we're boarding it up and stabilizing the building. The bottom line is no decision has been made yet."
Carol Eldringhoff, a community member who serves as an officer for the Overlea-Fullerton Recreation Council and as the chairperson for programs at the Holt Center for the Arts, has been leading the charge to ensure that the cabin is not demolished.
Early last week, Eldringhoff said that she arrived at the park to find a 30 cubic yard roll-off dumpster in the parking lot, a backhoe parked outside of the building atop a garden planted by children in a park program, and the electric meter removed from cabin.
"I work in construction, so this is not my first rodeo," Eldringhoff said. "Those things all add up to 'the building's going to be demolished'.
The chain of events that led up to the current situation began a year ago, Eldringhoff said.
"We learned last year that the cabin had sustained some damage from carpenter bees," Eldringhoff said. "We reported it to the county's property management and to the community supervisor for parks and rec."
"The county refused to mitigate the carpenter bee damage… it’s gone on for over a year and only gotten worse. If they had, we wouldn't be having this conversation," she said. "If you ignore a problem it's just going to get bigger and bigger."
Kobler explained that the estimated cost to rehabilitate the cabin is around $150,000 and includes the removal of asbestos and lead paint on the property.
"We are evaluating the structure and our options," she said. "It's a purely pragmatic decision based on—among other things—the expenditure of taxpayer money. The final decision will be made by the county administrative officer [Fred Homan]."
"We've been granted a stay of execution for now," Eldringhoff said.
She explained that a county official had told her the property was scheduled for demolition last Wednesday and that a permit to raze the structure had been approved by the county. She was able to provide a what she said was a Baltimore County permit number.
"I spoke to George Klunk, the head of the county's property management, and he told me it's slated for demolition," she said.
Kobler, for her part, was unable to confirm or deny whether or not a permit to raze the structure had been granted even after being provided Tuesday afternoon.
There are a total of 5 cabins on the Lilian Holt park property—two are rented out by the county to individuals; the cabin near the park's entrance was used to store materials for the art programs, which have since been moved by the county to another building.
"The history of the cabins on the property is that during the depression, Mrs. Holt—she was Mrs. McCormick then—was in her 40's and not married. Her father was concerned with how she would support herself when he died so the cabins were built on the property as an income source for her in her old age and spinsterhood," Eldringhoff said. "So it's important for the historic value."
Eldringhoff said that the building, which is on the register of historic places, is not on the Baltimore County landmarks list and is not currently subject to protection as a result.
"I really believe that if I hadn’t noticed the machinery on Tuesday the 17, the building would have been gone by now. They have the razing permit they don’t need anything else," she said.
kevin
8:46 pm on Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Mr. Kamenatz ,I know you don't live on this side of town so the loss of this landmark might mean nothing to you.What the Holt's did for Baltimore county is legendary and this is how were paid back on this side of Baltimore County. not even a scheduled community meeting to hear our concerns? This is a critical event in your administration . If you will not even arrange to SPEAK to us on this side of the county won't be forgotten next election.Please Stop this Demolition Just contact the patch and assure us in this part of the county you'll at least meet with us.It is a county park You can meet us anytime.we know someone in your administration monitors THE Patch . Please pick up the phone or have someone in charge contact the Patch immediately Please at least hear us! We KNOW JOE BARTENFELDER would even if it wasn'y on his side of the county. Please ,You can't rebuild history if you knock it down.We won't accept sorry but you couldn't stop it.If it was a SNOWSTORM you could contact EVERY Construction worker in the county. SO don't tell us after the fact you found out to late .It is 8:44pm on tuesday July 24 2012,Please let us know on THis side of the county you at LEAST care to Hear our Side!
Tonya
4:27 pm on Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Amen Kevin!
Jenny M
11:01 pm on Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Thank you Kevin for helping bringing this to our attention!! The community is never informed and plenty has gone on without our knowing. Hear us out, Mr. Kamenatz!
Marje Lentz
9:00 am on Thursday, July 26, 2012
Well said Kevin, Mr. Kamenatz has turned a blind eye to this side of town ever since the election. Well, another one is needed to further his stepping stones to the top.
kevin
9:19 pm on Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Please Can The County council members contact The Patch AND promise You"ll at least TRY and get us a hearing? Everyone Knows of Lilian Holt drive you hear about on the traffic everyday.It was named in honor of Ms. Holt and what her family left to Baltimore County .Now they are just going to knock down a historical and very important part of her life ,without even giving the people of Overlea Kenwood road area a hearing.This is not representative goverment.I'm calling on EVERY county councilman to contact the Executive and at Least hold a meeting with the Community.How would you feel in Fort Howard if they knocked down the dungeons,or Dundalk if they knocked down the old post office .Please Johnny O Give Kevin Kamenantez a call .Help out the people of Overlea at least FEEL the county cares about us. If you hear us out and then knock it down we'll at least feel like the sitting council didn't " IRSAY" OVERLEA. Dundalk Help Us !!!!
Tonya
4:28 pm on Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Well said!
Daya Chaney-Webb
10:22 pm on Tuesday, July 24, 2012
This is a direct assault on the history of the neighborhood and neglect on the part of the county council. The house was just recently refurbished and it's hard to understand why, after fixing it up, would it be torn down. Time and time again, I am faced with the insensitivity Kamenetz's leadership approaches community affairs -- this should have been a hearing with discussion on the subject involved. Why hasn't there been any grant monies allocated or applied for historical preservation? Who is in charge of grant writing for the county parks? Who is in charge of fundraising and grantwriting? Isn't the Historical Society involved with this park?Seems someone has dropped the ball. Yet another sacrifice for the community to bear whilst monies go into things like dog parks.
Tonya
4:28 pm on Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Guess who isn't getting my vote next election! Well said Daya! I grew up playing at this park.
M. Sullivan
9:28 am on Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Sounds to me like this cabin has no historical significance at all, based on the information in this article. It's not even that old. I see no point in wasting one dime of tax money to try to save it just because a couple of people with nothing better to do are on a mission. Tear it down !
Daya Chaney-Webb
10:36 am on Wednesday, July 25, 2012
The significance, Mr. Sullivan, is in the preservation of the neighborhood's original leaders' contribution to the community. The cabins were built as a way to sustain a family and keep art integrated in the roots of a neighborhood. The words which you so harshly state only show your lack of knowledge and most likely lack of belonging to the community this affects. Talk to any neighbor on Elmont and McCormick, and what you will hear is a universal disdain for the manner in which this plan (and I use that word loosely) has be discussed and so slyly enacted. The community has a right to have a say in this matter. The county has neglected these structures since they became a part of parks and rec, and now an entire art program will be displaced. Many people in the community have donated their time and love to this park and to see this house cut down from its landscape is painful for all those involved.
At the very least, the county should have the courtesy and PR to travel the proper channels. The parks and rec in overlea has never seemed to function in a well-oiled manner and now the community is paying the price for decades of maintenance neglect.
M. Sullivan
10:56 am on Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Daya, if the County continues to waste tax dollars preserving every broken down shack that some special interest group wants to save we will soon be broke. This cabin is only 80 years old and Nothing historically significant happened there. It could easily be replaced with a small building to serve the same function for less money than the cost to repair this one. That's my vote.
Tonya
4:30 pm on Wednesday, July 25, 2012
80 years old is old enough M. Sullivan. How 'bout we tear down your house! This belongs to the Holt Community. Go live somewhere else.
M. Sullivan
5:15 pm on Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Hey Tonya, you can't make a sensible argument so you resort to a personal attack?
I don't live in your community, but I can't see my tax dollars being wasted to preserve something that has no real historical significance.
kevin
9:54 am on Wednesday, July 25, 2012
M. Sullivan has the right to feel that way except that there was just money put in the cabin to completely refurbish it a few years ago because of the historical significance .Now they are not even talking to the neighborhood ? Why did the county refurbish it during Mr. Smith's administration and turn around and knock it down? Was it maintained properly or used properly after refurbishing or was it just left to rot by maintenance? Where else is this happening in the county ? Finally were not asking to spend taxpayers money there is a group looking to raise funds and restore it , Couldn't they at least show the decency of meeting with that group ? Meetings don't cost anything Like I said it is a park he could just hold a meeting there ,if it can't be justified tear it down .Is it to much just asking to be heard ? M.Sullivan politicians have plenty of time for fundraisers what is wrong with this simple request ?
M. Sullivan
10:10 am on Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Kevin, I don't know the justification for the original refurbishment, but I don't see throwing good money after bad. There are probably a number of liability issues for the County due to safety and the asbestos and lead paint issues. I just don't see what is so significant about this building, but you certainly have the right to try to save it.
Mike Pierce
3:06 pm on Wednesday, July 25, 2012
The article states that "The final decision will be made by the county administrative officer [Fred Homan]". This is not true. Any administrative decision can be appealled to the Board of Appeals.
Tonya
4:32 pm on Wednesday, July 25, 2012
I don't have alot of respect for the government because of the idiotic decisions it continues to make. This is just one small aspect of the bigger picture.
M. Sullivan
5:31 pm on Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Yet, you think Smart Meters are an "excellent idea" (your quote from a posting in May). These have been approved by our Public Service Commission and are a very bad idea. Fortunately, enough people have complained that the PSC is re-examining its decision.
Anna M
10:11 pm on Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Please copy and paste the URL below to see what this cabin looked like about 11 years ago.
http://i.imgur.com/oeM0u.jpg
And again, what it looks like today:
http://imgur.com/GKcph
Oh what a difference 11 years and $180,000 in renovations can make huh?! This cabin was thoroughly renovated in 2005. These renovations included exterior stabilization, and significant interior upgrades which included but were not limited to basement waterproofing, and the addition of central air.
If we are going to wasting talk tax dollars here... I feel the county's property management is has some questions to answer and may be the true "waste". Why was the damage to the cabin not address when it was first reported? Why was our county asset management staff so ineffective, and failed to protect an asset over the course of a which a significant amount of money was invested to maintain.
County parks are important to all of our communities and we are lucky to have them. Mrs. Holt realized this, and donated this property to be maintained and enjoyed by our community. I understand that times are tough, and that most local governments are strapped for funds, I only wish the county had gotten our community involved before it got this far. Sometimes it takes a village!
And M. Sullivan, you make plenty of great points, but cabin razing or not, please take the time to checkout this park sometime. It's a little slice of heaven in our neighborhood. You won't be disappointed!
M. Sullivan
8:35 am on Thursday, July 26, 2012
Anna, the dumb thing here is that for $180,000 the whole thing could have been knocked down and rebuilt with a modern building that wouldn't need another $150,000 to repair it 7 years after the first renovation. I'm sure that if Mrs. Holt were still around she would have the good sense to vote for a new building. Once again, there is nothing historically significant about this one.
Pauline Robinson
5:26 am on Monday, August 6, 2012
Anna, I put your lovely photo of the cabin at the top of the article. I am sorry about the credit... Thanks for the link. Paulina
Jenny M
10:45 pm on Wednesday, July 25, 2012
This park used to have an excellent art program and dedicated community behind it. I grew up volunteering at the community building events and remember the amazing amount of people who would attend them.
Through a serie of poor choices-the park program has become a joke. The neighborhood has had to watch-painfully-while people who do not have the best in mind for the park make devastating choices. The community HAS spoken out and HAVE NOT been listened to. Instead, those responsible for ruining Holt Park have gotten promotions and grants--ironically--to fix up and preserve the cabins. The park does have its historial purpose of the founders of Baltimore County. The Holts did do amazing things for Baltimore, and their devotion to the arts was the entire reason the park was created. Lillian Holt left the property in the TRUSTED hands of the county--and left it for the community to enjoy.
INSTEAD--people who come to the park to enjoy it for artful purposes are thrown out. Programs are designed to satisfy a requirement-instead of actually building the community. It is a shame what has happened there. It went from being a place that tied the community together to a place that breaks the heart of that community.
This cabin in not the first thing that has happened without the community's say. It has been made incredibly clear that what the surrounding community wants does not matter.
Jenny M
10:56 pm on Wednesday, July 25, 2012
And Mr Sullivan,
I totally respect your desire for tax money to be spent properly. But you might want to look into the fact that your tax money is being spent on a crew of men sitting in their trucks in the parking lot of Holt Park. They also spend a few days pushing mulch around or mowing the grass three times a week. Sometimes they just bang their car doors loudly and swear a lot. Really, no one really knows what they do, but they are always there. Tax dollars at work!
K. Swam
1:46 am on Thursday, July 26, 2012
Ironically, I just went on line to see what activities might be happening at Holt Park so I might visit there. I first learned of the park--and of Lillian McCormick Holt's history--when I was researching family history in the late 90s. Ms. Holt was my grandmother's cousin; they were born in the same year. I am not only sad to think that a piece of Baltimore County recreational property may be destroyed, but a piece of my own family history is being destroyed. I still have many gaps in my family history (there were a lot of McCormicks!) but as a nature and art lover, it has given me great pleasure to feel that some of my family left such a great legacy. I hope it can be preserved and the park revived to its intended use.
Stephanie Pullara Vancura
3:46 pm on Saturday, July 28, 2012
Love enjoying the park and the activities as a family. The park has some wonderful programs offered to children of the community. Don't think this would be happening if it directly affected Mr. Kamenetz or his family.
Concerned too
7:30 pm on Monday, July 30, 2012
Has anyone heard from Cathy Bevins and her position on this as the Councilwoman for the District?
Concerned too
4:40 pm on Tuesday, July 31, 2012
It may be late in the game to save this cabin, but I strongly suggest you complete a landmark application for the rest of the Park. Go to: http://resources.baltimorecountymd.gov/Documents/Planning/historic/landmarksnominationformAug2009.pdf Contact TrishBentz@bcht.org if you have questions.