HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES2023-003 Supporting Brown & Hawkins Project CITY OF SEWARD,ALASKASponsored by: Vice Chair Ward
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
RESOLUTION 2023-003
A RESOLUTION OF THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION OF
THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA, SUPPORTING THE BROWN &
HAWKINS FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEM PROJECT FOR THE
HISTORICAL BUILDING LOCATED AT 205, 207 & 209 FOURTH
AVENUE AND RECOMMENDING THE CITY MANAGER ACCEPT AND
ADMINISTER FEDERAL FUNDING PROVIDED BY THE ALASKA
DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES.
WHEREAS, Brown & Hawkins was founded in 1903 by TW Hawkins and Charles
E. Brown as a mercantile and grocery store that provided settlers with supplies; and
WHEREAS, one of Alaska's first banks was operated in Brown & Hawkins which to this
day remains preserved within the buildings along with many other stories of not only Seward's
history,but Alaska's and the Nation's history as well; and
WHEREAS, the recent fire in Lahaina, Hawaii has touched home to Seward as we
remember and never forget our own history of when the east side of Fourth Avenue entirely burnt
down as the code and construction of our historic buildings leave our history vulnerable; and
WHEREAS, Brown & Hawkins is recognized by The United States and the State as it is
recorded on the Nation's Register of Historic Places, the State's Register of Historic Places, and
Seward's list of Historic Places; and
WHEREAS,Brown&Hawkins recently was selected by the National Parks Service for a
Historic American Building's Survey (HABS) that will be completed November 2023, and the
survey will be recorded in the Nation's Library of Congress; and
WHEREAS, Brown and Hawkins hosted President Harding in 1923 as well as President
Obama in Sweet Darlings in 2015; and
WHEREAS, the City of Seward recognizes the importance and value of partnership
opportunities with local organizations and their United States and State governments; and
WHEREAS,the Darling Family Trust,owners of Brown&Hawkins, have requested bids
to install a fire suppression system at Brown & Hawkins Buildings; and
WHEREAS, three contractors have submitted bids to equipped 205, 207 and 209 Fourth
Avenue with a fire suppression system; and
WHEREAS, the Resurrection Bay Historical Society finds the project to greatly
contribute to the preservation of Seward's history and is sponsoring the project; and
CITY OF SEWARD,ALASKA
RESOLUTION 2023-003
WHEREAS, the total project cost is estimated to be $337,844 of which $50,000 of the
project is to be federally funded through The Alaska Department of Natural Resources Certified
Local Government Grant(CLG) program; and
WHEREAS, to complete the CLG grant application, a City Council and Historic
Preservation Commission Resolution must be passed and approved; and
WHEREAS,the Historic Preservation Commission supports this project as it protects and
preserves Brown & Hawkins and it highly supports the preservation and safety of Seward's
history that is important to both The State of Alaska and The United States history.; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Historic Preservation Commission,
that:
Section 1. The Historic Preservation Commission makes the recommendation to the City
Council to direct the city manager to authorize and accept federal funds from The Department of
Natural Resources for the installation of a fire suppression system located at 205, 207 & 209
Fourth Avenue.
Section 2. The Historic Preservation Commission recommends the city finance
department be authorized to withhold 2% of all funds received to cover the cost incurred to the
City to process the grant funding.
Section 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon adoption.
PASSED AND APPROVED by the Historic Preservation Commission this 19th day of
October, 2023.
THE CITY OF SEWARD,ALASKA
guy Libbrech't, Chair
AYES: Ward, LeMaster,Walker, Libbrecht
NOES: None
ABSENT: Mashlan, Benoit,Erickson �.•�•"""�•.,
ABSTAIN: None �.•0y sE�,y',,•
ATTEST: s �� �. 0os
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ris Peck ; �':,G'/ �g\rl,/
City Clerk �qj�•-.......•••'S4P��`�
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