Comments on: 401 N 27th Street – Will’s Store c. 1815 http://historicrichmond.com/blog/2010/07/401-n-27th-street-will%e2%80%99s-store-c-1815/ Just another WordPress weblog Wed, 03 Aug 2011 18:42:46 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Eric S. Huffstutler http://historicrichmond.com/blog/2010/07/401-n-27th-street-will%e2%80%99s-store-c-1815/comment-page-1/#comment-5062 Eric S. Huffstutler Tue, 19 Apr 2011 21:58:50 +0000 http://historicrichmond.com/blog/?p=215#comment-5062 This building, the oldest commercial structure standing in Richmond built 1815 by Capt. Charles Wills and historically linked to our house was also built and owned by Wills in 1812 (oldest house in Church Hill proper), so have a special interest. I have been instrumental in saving this building from demolition and obscurity. Have fought with the city and owners to "do the right thing" in either selling or restoring properly. It was gutted in 2004 after being condemned then left open to the elements for years with one planning and code violation after another as well as juggling family ownership while playing games with the city to buy time. A C.A.R. hearing is slated for 4/26 and this building is first on the agenda. As of today (April 19, 2011) the status follows per the C.A.R.: " The owner submitted information for consideration at the April meeting of the Commission of Architectural Review to address work that was done that did not conform to his earlier approved Certificate of Appropriateness. We made him aware that the property would continue to make its way through the Spot Blight process. We hope to receive the fair market value assessment in a week or two. Historic Richmond Foundation remains interested in acquiring the property. " Eric S. Huffstutler This building, the oldest commercial structure standing in Richmond built 1815 by Capt. Charles Wills and historically linked to our house was also built and owned by Wills in 1812 (oldest house in Church Hill proper), so have a special interest.

I have been instrumental in saving this building from demolition and obscurity. Have fought with the city and owners to “do the right thing” in either selling or restoring properly. It was gutted in 2004 after being condemned then left open to the elements for years with one planning and code violation after another as well as juggling family ownership while playing games with the city to buy time. A C.A.R. hearing is slated for 4/26 and this building is first on the agenda. As of today (April 19, 2011) the status follows per the C.A.R.:

” The owner submitted information for consideration at the April meeting of the Commission of Architectural Review to address work that was done that did not conform to his earlier approved Certificate of Appropriateness. We made him aware that the property would continue to make its way through the Spot Blight process. We hope to receive the fair market value assessment in a week or two. Historic Richmond Foundation remains interested in acquiring the property. ”

Eric S. Huffstutler

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