On Wednesday afternoon, a meeting held at Preservation Dallas’ headquarters highlighted the ongoing issues surrounding historic preservation in Dallas, particularly regarding the planned demolition of a century-old house in the Swiss Avenue historic district.
The house at 2615 Park Row, which has deteriorated over time, was deemed unsalvageable after a fire had further damaged it. The Landmark Commission’s South Boulevard-Park Row Task Force met to discuss its fate, marking what could be a significant moment in the long saga of neglect faced by many historic homes in the area.
Historic preservation in Dallas has become an increasingly fraught topic, especially as the city fails to uphold its own historic ordinances.
Park Row and its sibling district, South Boulevard, were once vibrant neighborhoods, constructed during the 1920s for Jewish merchants and later home to prominent Black leaders. A plaque on South Boulevard serves as a reminder of this rich history. Since being designated a local landmark district in 1977 and added to the National Register of Historic Places two years later, these neighborhoods have experienced a decline, highlighted by a mix of well-maintained homes and properties left in disrepair.
Jeanette Bolden, a member of the task force, shared her frustration during the recent meeting, asking, “What does it even mean to be a landmark district anymore?” Bolden, along with her husband, Charles, has dedicated themselves to preserving their 1922 home, but they have faced numerous challenges and an apparent lack of support from the city.
The city has not provided financial assistance to help homeowners maintain their historic properties, leaving them to shoulder the burden of preservation on their own.
Bolden recalled a conversation with Marsha Prior, a former historic preservation planner at City Hall, who once warned that if ordinances are not followed, the district may lose its historic designation. Many homeowners within the district share Bolden’s concerns, feeling disheartened by the selective enforcement of preservation codes.
As the Boldens’ block shows increasing signs of disrepair, including two neighboring houses that seem on the brink of collapse, it’s hard not to wonder about the city’s commitment to preserving its historic assets.
The conditions of these homes reflect a broader trend seen throughout the area, demonstrating how neglect can be just as damaging as purposeful demolition.
For instance, the owner of 2407 Park Row, built for M.B. Tobolowsky in 1925, faces ongoing struggles in restoring the property. Despite having obtained approval from the Landmark Commission years ago for renovations that never took place, the home now resembles a shell of its former self, filled with code violation notices and in grave danger of collapsing.
Bernard Shaw, the homeowner at 2431 Park Row, has similarly grappled with the challenges of restoring his property, which he has owned since before the city’s revitalization efforts began. Although he received approval for further construction, ongoing issues surrounding contractors and financing have stalled progress, leaving the house decaying and threatening the neighborhood’s historical integrity.
As the city’s preservation efforts falter, the lack of resources available to property owners has become increasingly evident. Efforts by city planners to engage homeowners and connect them to available resources have produced limited results, leading to a frustrating status quo.
Marcus Watson, the chief planner in the Office of Historic Preservation, acknowledged the challenges his office faces in enforcing preservation codes and ensuring the area maintains its historic character.
Watson expressed that both the city and preservation community share in the frustrations surrounding these ongoing demolitions and neglect.
During the recent meeting, the discussion surrounding 2615 Park Row was a case in point. Built in 1925, this house, part of a notable family history, is now in jeopardy of losing its place in the narrative of Park Row.
Despite the city’s claims that the property is not contributing to the district’s status due to modifications in the 1970s following a fire, many in the preservation community see the loss of history as a tragedy.
The futures of these historic properties on Park Row serve as a microcosm for the struggles faced not just in Dallas, but across cities grappling with the challenges of preserving their architectural legacies amid modern development priorities.
Above all, the ongoing debate raises critical questions about the essence of historic preservation in a city where rapid change often disregards the very history that defines it. As conversations continue about the fate of properties like 2615 Park Row, one can only hope for a renewed commitment to protecting and preserving the rich history embedded within Dallas’ neighborhoods.
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