Holy Cow! The Trust Is Having a Picnic!!!!!

The Sanford Historic Trust is having a super-duper picnic on Sunday from 4pm to ?pm. The flyer may say 6pm, but the fun and camaraderie will continue on.

The picnic is open to all, so gather your family, bribe your kids, drag your neighbors, cajole your friends, and badger your in-laws
to come to the most unforgettable picnic since the one starring William Holden and Kim Novak back in ’55.

Seriously, take a break from your Sunday afternoon chores and come to Park on Park, located between Park Ave. and Oak Ave. on 9^th Street. Whether you’re new or old to the area, it’s a great opportunity to connect or reconnect with your neighbors. And there’s a great playground for the kids, too!!!

2013 Historic Preservation Awards

May is National Historic Preservation Month. In honor of this observance the Sanford Historic Trust and the City of Sanford will once again partner to recognize historic preservation efforts throughout the city.

The Sanford Historic Trust first offered a Historic Preservation Award in 1993 and later partnered with the City of Sanford in 2007 to increase civic recognition of historic preservation. The Historic Preservation Award is bestowed on owners for exceptional preservation and maintenance of historic residential or commercial properties in Sanford. The Sanford Historic Trust’s Historic Preservation Award Committee is responsible for selecting award recipients by relying on the City of Sanford’s “Schedule S” Code for Historic Preservation and considering the quality and extent of improvements to the properties and the historical ambiance of Sanford. “The Historic Preservation Award recognizes good stewardship of Sanford’s most valuable asset – its historic structures. Rehabilitation of historic buildings enhances property values and contributes to the community’s sense of place. Protection of Sanford’s cultural heritage is equally important, and the Cultural Preservation Award is a good opportunity to reflect upon the community’s rich and diverse history” said Christine Dalton, AICP, Historic Preservation Officer for the City of Sanford.

The Sanford Historic Trust announced the award recipients on Monday, April 22, 2013, during a presentation to the Sanford City Commission. Mayor Jeff Triplett read a proclamation recognizing May as National Preservation Month, and commissioners were presented with invitations to an event honoring the recipients.

The Sanford Historic Trust will hold a formal awards ceremony and reception on Friday, May 3, 2013, at 7 p.m. at the Bettye D. Smith Cultural Arts Center, located at 119 West 5th Street, in honor of the recipients of the Historic Preservation Award and Cultural Preservation Awards. 

The awards ceremony will include a slideshow of a rehabilitation project in process as well as a presentation by Dr. Rose Beiler, which will highlight the UCF Public History Center’s achievements and future goals. The presentation will be followed by a National Trust for Historic Preservation “This Place Matters” photo opportunity for all who attend the reception. The event is free and open to the public.

This year’s Residential Preservation Award recipients, are Doug and Annie Horstmeyer for their beautiful home at 911 S. Park Ave.

2013 Historic Preservation Award – 911 S. Park Ave., Sanford, FL

This year’s Cultural Preservation Award goes to the University of Central Florida’s Public History Center.  This award honors efforts to preserve the history of Sanford through archives, photographs, maps, scrapbooks, memorabilia, oral history, storytelling, or expressive arts, i.e. dance and song. The Public History Center, located at 301 W. 7th Street, maintains an extensive collection of historical items related to the City of Sanford and Seminole County. The building serves as a field trip destination for fourth grade students in Seminole County Public Schools, who learn from the themed exhibits and “teaching gardens”.

UCF Public History Center (formerly The Student Museum) – 301 West 7th Street, Sanford, FL

Everyone, please come to this Friday night’s award ceremony and learn more about these two beautiful examples of preservation and their history. There will be catered refreshments following. Remember, the event is free and open to the public. Please feel free to invite friends and neighbors.

Important Notice

Posted 5-20-13

 UPDATE - As of today, the new owner of the PICO building has still not contacted Christine Dalton, Historic Preservation Officer, outlining his plans for the restoration of the PICO building.  Please go out of your way and drive by the PICO building frequently. If you see any construction activity, please check with Christine immediately (407-688-5145) to see if they have the proper permits. We must keep a vigilant watch over this magnificent building in downtown Sanford.

Posted 4-18-13

The HPB (Historic Preservation Board) meeting was held last night, 17 April, and the PICO building was on the agenda. The PICO Building, built in 1887 by Henry B. Plant, head of the Plant Investment Company (PICO) is located at 209 N. Oak Ave.

The new owner, Mr. Tim Hudson of BAT Development LLC, came before HPB to request approval to install vinyl windows throughout and repoint the brick using grinders. Both vinyl windows and repointing brick with grinders is prohibited by the City’s preservation codes, better known as the S-Codes.

PICO Building

The HPB voted unanimously , 5-0 to deny his request. It would have been a travesty for the building and a mockery of Sanford’s preservation laws and goals, if Mr. Hudson had been allowed to proceed with his plans. Mr. Hudson has agreed to meet with City Staff to discuss the options available that would be in compliance with the S-Codes, so he can get started restoring his beautiful building. However, we must remain vigilant until an agreement is reached between the owner and  City Staff,  for, if an agreement cannot be reached, Mr. Hudson has the right to appeal the HPB’s decision to the City commissioners. If he appeals to the commission, we must attend that commission meeting and voice our support for the HPB’s denial decision.

Mr. Hudson was asked what his plans were for this fantastic historic structure and he was gracious enough to tell us. He said his company would like to open a restaurant on the north end of the building, a mental health facility on the south end, a “writing center” for children, a wine and cheese store with jazz music, with his construction office and a church facility upstairs.

PICO Building