Walker's Bank - Owners apply for Demolition Permit - Hearing on December 19, 2017

While hiking along the Brandywine in September, I noticed the state of disrepair of Walker’s Bank and wrote a 16-page document to elected and appointed officials and the owners of Walker’s Mill and Walker’s Bank, and copied Xerxes Wilson, a reporter with the News Journal/DelawareOnline. That document detailed the history of Walker’s Mill and Walker’s Bank, included historical and recent photographs, and details of ownership of the property. Within two weeks, New Castle County made an inspection and apparently issued a citation to the owners. Photographs show no recent attempts were made to cover the large holes in the roof, or to replace the many broken or missing windows.

In late October, I sent follow-up communications, with more photographs and details, again copying the News Journal. Not surprisingly, the slimmed down News Journal didn’t cover this.

Last week, I was alerted that a Demolition Permit had been filed with New Castle County. A few days later, I sent updated pictures of the gaping holes in the roof of Walkers Bank. Still nothing in the News Journal.

Then on November 14, I was notified that an Application for a Demolition Permit had been submitted for Walker’s Bank. Eleven days later, and still nothing in the News Journal. As if Walker’s Mill didn’t exist and as if historic preservation was a non-concept in Delaware.

From historic beings being neglected or demolished, to lackluster and ineffective stewardship of Preservation Delaware, our state is in the midst of a “Preservation Crisis” and we are losing irreplaceable links to our history. While other states capitalize on historic preservation and “heritage tourism,”

Delaware seems to be stumbling toward demolishing our history and replacing it with forgettable condos, convenience stores and shopping centers.

Notwithstanding the current limitations of New Castle County and State laws, owners of historic properties still should be responsible stewards. While the stones, bricks and mortar are owned by individuals and organizations, history belongs to all of us.

Here is a view of the southern facade of Walker’s Bank from Friday 17 November 2017.

The words shocking, reckless, careless, irresponsible, inexcusable come to mind. A Demolition Permit would be a governmental reward for this gross neglect. It would be a black-eye on all preservation efforts the state and county government profess to represent.

While a public shaming has clearly be earned, a more practical approach would be to have the owners pay for an inspection and emergency stabilization of the building. Close out the roof, clear out any animal, pest and plant infestation, install ventilated windows, and shore up the structure.

If the owners (Walker’s Mill Associates c/o Ashford Capital Management) have the money to bulldoze Walkers Bank, they have money to stabilize the building until a new owner is found.

The December 19, 2017 hearing does provide options to the public and neighbors of Walker’s Mill and Walker’s Bank.

New Castle County’s Historic Review Board does not have the ability to deny a demolition permit, but it can delay its issuance for a maximum period of nine months from the date of application.

November 14, 2017. “The Code Official shall delay for up to ten (10) days the issuance of any demolition permit for any building or structure thought to be over fifty (50) yeas of age and refer all applications to the Historic Review Board within two (2) days of receipt.”

Walker’s Bank was built between circa 1813. Since the building is older than 50 years of age, it was referred to the Historic Review Board. The Demolition Permit Application for Walker’s Bank has been tentatively scheduled for the next meeting of the Historic Review Board, on December 19, 2017.

November 17 – December 19, 2017. Public comment: The owners and members of the public can submit comments and letters to elected and appointed officials, including the members of the Historic Review Board (contact details on page 7) before the December 19 hearing.

December 19, 2017. Public hearing with the Historic Review Board. The owners and members of the public can submit comments and letters to elected and appointed officials, including the members of the Historic Review Board during the hearing. Rules of Procedure are below.

“If the Historic Review Board determines the buildings or structure is historically significant, for reasons it shall state in the issuance of the permit not to exceed nine (9) months from the date of the application, during with time alternatives to demolition shall be sought.”

For those who wish to preserve Walker’s Bank, the challenge is to provide comments and historical material (documents, photographs, articles and publications) to make the strongest case possible that Walker’s Bank is “historically significant” to enable the Historic Review Board to delay the issuance of a Demolition Permit for 9 months.

Even with a delay, the large gaping holes in the roof threaten the structural integrity of the building. Should the dormer and roof collapse in a heavy snow or rain, the interior wooden structure may fall inward and downward, causing a buckling of the load-bearing walls.

Members of the public and preservationists can request the current owners to pay for a “Building Layaway” stabilization of Walker’s Bank to prevent the irreversible damage to this 200-year old building.

Owners of Walker’s Bank

Walker’s Mill Associates, LLC

c/o Ashford Capital Management, Inc.

1 Walker’s Mill Road, Wilmington, Delaware 19807-2134

Phone: 302-655-1750 Fax: 302-655-8393

E-mail: info@ashfordcapital.com Website:

http://www.ashfordcapital.com/

On the left column of this website is a 23-page letter that includes a short history of Walker’s Bank, Contact Information, Rules for Comment for the 19 December Historic Review Board Hearing, a copy of Demolition Permit Application, and excerpts from an e-mail thread. This document has been widely distributed by e-mail and some copies have been printed and mailed.

Please feel welcome to share this document with anyone interested in preservation of Gibraltar and

other historic properties in Delaware. I have set up a Facebook page to make updates and photographs availabel to the public: facebook.com/HistoricDelawareAtRisk.

In the absence of an effective statewide preservation group, it will be up to citizens to work with elected and appointed officials to save this important historical building.

My e-mail for this is HistoricPlacesAtRiskinDelaware@gmail.com.