Too bad that they can't get it on the historical register. ...
Actually, myself having owned two, 1 building that met 13 of the 15 points required for national registry and a home which met 10 it's a piece of cake to start the process. 1st the city has to open a case and that's the simple part. Any dope off the street can petition the city. After that it's up to the city to make the steps though national historic registry, ( the easy way), However an owner can just go direct to the national register assisted by the state.
I've no doubt after seeing the architecture of this house it can get on the national registry. However, cities can be a butt hole! The building I owned, had had a distasteful history through the 70's and up-until I took possession. One of the board members contacted me directly, personally, to inform me about the cities board desiring a walk through, and actually told me their main interest was to observe the tenant structure. She, had great interest in seeing the building get listed and as an aside, wanted to warn me of the other members intentions. during the 1970's through 80's the 1905 building had acquired the nick-name of Homo-heights. In the 60's and through previous periods of my ownership, it was well known too, of a place where well to do persons would house their "sporting ladies"
Regardless I insured it passed the cities approval, while not in support of their personal interest of fact, no other building by 2000 was left in the city with so many points of national interest.
Anyway. While and prior to nomination of my 1893 home. (prior years records were burned in Chicago fire, almost all cities in the states records were kept by the insurance industry, so much was lost then, so 1893 was the oldest record although was prob build near 1884). Because I was livein in it, I didn't want it nominated for the restrictions I'd endure. So, as I improved the lot and or had mind to improve some of the rear exterior portions, I was always concerned that some nosy do goober could just come along and make a nomination.
The point is, anybody who resides in Chicago can make the nomination to the city and halt, dely or prevent it from being demolished. plus an owner can get assistance through the state.
Prob the most costly part of getting registered is having the architectural description written. If a city will follow through they'll pay for it, otherwise the state will prepare but not perform the function, yet after its done, aide in petitioning the feds. If listed there maybe low interest too no interest loans and or loans combined with grants availed. AND! yeah duhh, there's a a long line of peps looking for those opportunities!. Albeit there's more crap listed than good stuff like Arnold's home.
I'd much rather dump my money in one of the homes directly across the street. In all my years in construction I have worked on many historic buildings, the Mesa downtown renovation in the early 1980's and a few homes that were built at the beginning of the last century. The cost to bring these back to the point where they can be used/saved is unbelievable and in my opinion a big investment loss from the beginning or a few years later. I hate to say it, but I'm afraid that house is doomed.
