Attachment 5: 507 Ridge Street - BAR appeal Werner, Jeffrey B From: noreply@civicplus.com Sent: Tuesday, December 20, 2022 10:26 AM To: BAR Subject: Online Form Submittal: Email Contact Form for Board of Architectural Review Email Contact Form for Board of Architectural Review Please complete the online form below to submit your message. Contact Information First Name Antoinette W. Last Name Roades Contact Phone Number: 4342933148 Email Address: awroades2@gmail.com Enter your message here Dear BAR Members and Staff: This comes to you in the hope that you will defer a decision re Kim and Clayt Lauter's petition to demolish a small structure behind 507 Ridge Street. I ask because I note that despite obviously extensive background research on the structure, one possibility has not been considered: That is, that it is a dependency constructed by Allen W. Hawkins (1800-1855) for John Bibb by agreement of 1844. I have lived within sight of this structure since 1987. In about 2004, when I discovered the document I'm about to cite, it occurred to me immediately that it might well be an item described therein. Background: Teenaged brickmason Allen Hawkins came to Albemarle with kin in response to Thomas Jefferson's advertisement for workmen to build a new university. He is documented to have worked on serpentine walls and also at least one Lawn hotel. In 1829, Hawkins bought from Alexander Garrett the block of land now bounded by Ridge Street, Oak Street, Fifth Street SW, and Cherry Avenue. By 1832, he built the local landmark brick cottage that still stands on 5th for himself. Then he went on to build houses around the block, as well as on other land he purchased, for family members or for sale. He and his workers also made the bricks they used in building, and Hawkins sold the surplus. In addition, he acted for 1 a time as agent in Charlottesville for the property and projects of Gen. John Hartwell Cocke of Bremo. In 1844, Hawkins completed a house commissioned by merchant John Bibb. It still stands as 505 Ridge Street. On May 24, Hawkins wrote (phoenetically, as always) to Gen. Cocke that Bibb "was at the building a few day [sic] back and seemed to be very well pleased with the work and told me he intended to get me to build him a kitichin [sic] and smoke house at the place and him [sic] and his wife gave directions how they wanted things done and there [sic] directions has been strickly [sic] attended by the worke [sic] men and myself in every respect." (letter in Cocke Papers, U.Va. Special Collections) This does not prove that the little structure, which has certainly been moved about, is one of those buildings mentioned, of course. But to me it strongly suggests that another look is in order. Are its bricks the same as those used at 505? How about its framing elements? Etc. And if it appears to have that earlier origin, that fact should be documented at least. There is some urgency. When I learned yesterday that this item was on your agenda, I e-wrote the Lauters with the information above and my hope that they would pause the process to allow for further investigation. They responded by making it absolutely clear that the "shack" (demolition by derogatory language?) will be taken down regardless of how BAR or City Council rule. I cannot do more at this point -- except, that is, hope the little survivor of at least one century and maybe most of another as well will get its due before yet another piece of history is permanently deleted from my genuinely historic neighborhood. Sincere thanks for your time, attention, and any consideration. Antoinette W. Roades 406 Oak Street Email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser. 2