THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, July 28, 1996 TAG: 9607260223
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 13 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JANIE BRYANT, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 65 lines
Being closer to the communities that the Virginia Department of Historic Resources serves is what regional offices are all about.
The first office was opened in Roanoke in 1989 to serve the western part of the state.
When H. Alexander Wise became director of the department in Gov. George Allen's administration, one of Wise's top priorities was building upon the success of that office, said E. Randolph Turner, regional director.
The second office was opened in Winchester last October, followed by the Portsmouth office in November.
The final phase of the reorganization was the regional office in Richmond, which serves central and south-central Virginia.
Staff members help communities with everything from National Register nominations to federal and state grant applications.
The regional office in Portsmouth works with 19 counties and 11 cities in eastern Virginia to promote community revitalization, economic development, attraction of investment, heritage tourism and heritage education.
``Our primary goal is quite simple,'' said Turner. ``When a local project is being considered, we hope one of the first questions that sponsors ask is if the project can be enhanced by considering historic resources.
``When this begins to happen routinely, then we're accomplishing what we set out to do.''
Some of the historic preservation and other projects the staff has offered assistance with in this area include:
In Portsmouth:
The department has offered help in seeking grants and tax incentive programs for Vision 2005 projects in the 600 block of High Street and London Boulevard.
Portsmouth has 14 buildings or neighborhoods on the National Register, and the regional office is now assisting with several new applications.
Those include:
Doric Lodge, an African-American Masonic Lodge on London Boulevard and Florida Avenue that dates to 1910.
Confederate Monument.
Hill House in Olde Towne.
Abigarlos, a farmhouse on the former Carney truck farm, built on land granted to the current owner's ancestors in the 18th century.
In Chesapeake:
The old Portlock School, which the city and the Chesapeake Museum and Information Center Inc. plan to turn into a museum and information center. The school is applying for National Register status and has received a General Assembly Grant.
In Norfolk:
The Attucks Theater on Church Street, named for Crispus Attucks, an African-American Revolutionary War hero. The theater is on the National Register and has received a General Assembly grant.
Seeking a spot on the National Register are Poplar Hall, a farmhouse, and the Berkley, Lafayette and North Ghent neighborhoods.
In Suffolk:
The city of Suffolk has received a federal grant for the former CSX depot on Main Street.
In Smithfield:
The town of Smithfield has received a Certified Local Government Grant to offer a course at Paul D. Camp College designed for architectural review boards but open to the public.
In Virginia Beach:
Eight property owners showed up for a workshop on National Register nominations and have expressed interest. by CNB