Title
Nomination for placement of the Masonic Lodge #41 onto the Local Register of Historic Places. (B)
Petition HP-19-112. Sarit Sela, agent for the City of Gainesville. Local landmark nomination for the placement of the Masonic Lodge #41 on the Local Register of Historic Places. Located at 215 N. Main Street. This building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Explanation
Enclosed is the application for nomination of the Masonic Lodge #41 onto the Local Register of Historic Places. The building is located on the southeast corner of NE 3rd Avenue and N. Main Street, at 215 N. Main Street. In accordance with Section-4.28.C. of Article IV of the City of Gainesville Land Development Code, there is a process for the placement of sites, buildings, structures, objects, and districts as historic or architecturally significant. Specific architectural details with pictures and illustrations are included with the registration form that was submitted by the applicants for the consideration of the nomination.
During the November 7, 2019 City Commission meeting, the commission voted to have staff submit an application for nomination of the Masonic Lodge #41 for placement on the local register of historic places. The application has been submitted without the consent of the property owner, thus requiring a six-ninths vote of the Historic Preservation Board for approval of the nomination.
The board must make findings concerning why they approved or did not approve the nomination based on the appropriate criteria for listing on the local register. After the Historic Preservation Board votes on the matter the recommendation with the application materials will be sent to the City Plan Board for their consideration. The nomination shall then be handled like any other rezoning and the procedures for amendments to the Land Development Code shall be followed. If the Historic Preservation Board recommends the nomination of the building onto the local register, no demolition permit or relocation of the structure shall be issued unless the process for a certificate of appropriateness is followed and the board finds that a permit may be issued.
The City Commission has the final vote concerning the placement of the building on the local register of historic places.
Recommendation
Staff to Historic Preservation Board - Approve the nomination for placement of the Masonic Lodge #41 onto the Local Register of Historic Places. Staff recommends approval of the landmark nomination based on review criteria a, b, and c:
a. Is associated with events that are significant to our local, state, or national history; - The membership of the lodge consisted of local politicians, businessmen, and developers whom played an important role in shaping Gainesville. The lodge has served continually since its construction and was chartered on January 15, 1857. Members of the lodge have held numerous positions with the city, county, and state government to include former US Senator David L. Yulee; W.A. Shands, former president of state senate; and former Gainesville mayor, William Rueben Thomas. The lodge has also produced three Grand Masters, three Grand High Priests, one Grand Eminent Commander, and two Grand Worthy Patrons.
b. Embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or method of construction; - The building is an example of the ornate form of architecture used for public and civic buildings in the early 20th century. The building was constructed in 1908 and has survived with no major alterations and maintaining its ornamental architecture. The original finishes, features, and windows remain intact. The lodge is a rectangular, 2 story Italian Renaissance style building with a pediment hip roof and wide overhanging eaves. The building was designed by architect J.H.W. Hawkins of Jacksonville, Florida. The lodge was constructed by the Edding Manufacturing Company of sand brick masonry laid in a stretcher bond and pre-cast concrete made by the W.T. Hughes Company of Tampa. The lodge is one of two buildings in Gainesville that exemplify Italian Renaissance architecture.
c. Represents the work of a master; - J.H.W. Hawkins graduated in 1879 from Cornell University with a degree in architecture. He designed and oversaw a number of projects between 1879-1922 in Denver, Colorado; Jacksonville, Florida; Lincoln, Nebraska; and Wilkes-Barre Pennsylvania, some of which are listed on the National Register including the Dietz Memorial United Methodist Church, formerly known as the Saint Matthias’ Episcopal Church. He is most notably known for designing Nebraska Hall (demolished) at the University of Nebraska.