DATE: Wednesday, May 28, 1997               TAG: 9705280473

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B4   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY SUSIE STOUGHTON, STAFF WRITER 

DATELINE: SUFFOLK                           LENGTH:   50 lines

SUFFOLK WANTS ACTION ON DECAYING HISTORIC BUILDINGS

It's life or death for two historic Main Street properties.

The Historic Landmarks Commission has told the properties' owner, Fred A. McCartney, to either breathe life into them or allow them a death with dignity.

No more slow, agonizing decay for The Prentis House, possibly the city's oldest residence and perhaps best known now as the dilapidated building with the mural around it. No more rotting away in the city's heart for the former Gardeners Store just across the railroad tracks.

McCartney, who has owned them since 1992, last week applied for permission from the landmarks commission to tear them down, zoning administrator James T. ``Tim'' Davis said Tuesday. Previously, McCartney had said he planned to fix up the buildings.

The plan to demolish them tears at the hearts of preservationists.

Davis, who has been on the job in Suffolk for 10 months, hopes the city has finally found a way to force McCartney to do something with the potential historic jewels that have become eyesores. The buildings stand in the middle of a district targeted for rejuvenation and across from the former CSX depot that is slated for renovation.

On behalf of the landmarks commission, Davis issued violation notices to McCartney, telling him he must do something. If he is going to repair the buildings, he must show what he is going to do, not just talk about it, Davis said.

``Both structures have been allowed to deteriorate for the past several years in direct violation of the zoning ordinance,'' Davis said.

McCartney has four choices: Renovate, repair, remove or demolish. But whatever he does, he must do it with the blessing of the commission, Davis said.

While not advocating any particular course, he is trying to get something done with the buildings, Davis said.

``They have been allowed to deteriorate to the point that there's some doubt about their restoration,'' he said.

The Prentis House, built around 1800 as a manor house, once boasted a ``rather elegant exterior,'' according to historical records. Gardeners Store, which was used in the Civil War by Union troops to hold Confederate soldiers, was most recently operated by Norfolk Welders' Supply Inc.

Early this year, Building Official Wayne Whitehurst posted ``stop work'' orders on the boarded-up buildings because permits for the renovation - which was at a standstill - had expired. For years, city officials and historical society members have tried to urge McCartney to complete the work.

The commission is tentatively scheduled to meet June 12.

McCartney could not be reached for comment.

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