herman Hill
Association
NEWSLETTER May 1998
herman Hill
Association
NEWSLETTER May 1998
What's inside
See...Things Really Are Happening!!!
White Elephants and Valuable Junque for Sale
Windows to the Future - President's Column
By Sonja Roberts
Planning is a process that I believe in. To me a "Master Plan" makes sense, not as a rigid, by-the-book law but rather as the North Star we are moving toward.
In preparation for the Designated neighborhood planning process, I have been reading our original Master Plan from 1981. As we move through the year and our renewed planning process, it's important to view our accomplishments and review our dreams. Space permitting, I would like to share some excerpts from our original plan throughout this year.
The very first Sherman Hill master Plan was title "Sherman Hill - Doors to the Past, Windows to the Future," October 1981. It was commissioned by the Sherman Hill Association, Inc., with the cooperation of the Iowa Division of Historic Preservation. The plan was made possible through the generous financial support of the Meredith Corporation and with the matching grant-in-aid from the U.S. Department of the Interior under the provision of the Historic Preservation Act of 1966.
That said, the value of the first plan was its applicability to future problems. The plan was an effort to address future uncertainties and to present our goals and objectives for future development of our neighborhood.
Objectives, which addressed the facets of the physical development of the neighborhood, were as follows:
A section titled "Development Proposals" establishes five areas or building types that we should concern ourselves with. Interestingly, the first section is about Hoyt Sherman and it's formal gardens. The other proposals include the Woodland Avenue Commercial Area, Multi-family and Duplex Residential, Center Street Residential Area and Cottage Grove Avenue Commercial Area.
Many aspects of the plan are still issues that we are struggling with today. We have, however, accomplished much. Tree planting has replaced the devastating loss we suffered when Dutch Elm disease hit in the 1960's. We are about to realize the installation of historic streetlights. We have had success in moving houses into the neighborhood (with another one on the way within the next two months). We've reduced density what used to be single family homes. The electrical substation on 16th Street is gone. Just a handful of vacant buildings exist...one is about to be torn down, and Celebrity Care has been purchased by a developer from Kansas City.
Did you notice how many people were working in their yards last Sunday? This is definitely a time for renewed optimism. Our property values have never been higher, with many new listings above $100,000.00. We are even attracting new homeowners from the suburbs! Life is good!
See you at the Quarterly Meeting or out in the yard.
(Or everything you "wood" need to know to restore your floor - part one)
So you think you want to restore your beautiful hardwood floor, that let's face it, after over a hundred years may not be in the best shape. But where do you begin? First, let's consider cost: To replace an average size room with new wood flooring that at a cost of $5.00 a square foot would average about $2,500.00 in materials alone...add in the price of labor for installation and finishing; and it doesn't take long to figure out that restoring what is already there - is the way to go.
Now let's determine what you actually have. Look at the exposed ends of the boards and if there are none easily visible, carefully pry a short one up from inside a closet. Around the turn of the century a new product known as "wood carpet" came out on the market. It was a thin tongue and groove wood flooring that enabled homeowners who had old wide planked lesser quality wood floors to install the flooring right over the top of what was already there without the big increase in the overall thickness of the floor. It was also very affordable. Then again, you may have the standard thicker grade flooring. It is important to determine which you have if you are considering sanding your floors with a drum sander. Please remember if there is evidence that they have been sanded this way once before, you CANNOT do it again. It takes off so much wood that if you do it a second time with a drum sander you will be right down to the nail heads that hold it in place or in the case of wood carpet literally have no floor left. Don't despair! When you cannot drum sand - there are several options. Option one involves getting down on your knees (kneeling on thick foam pillow) and using a simple hand sander with medium followed by fine grade sandpaper. Always work in the direction of the grain. Option two - Stripping. After you determine what kind of finish was used on your floor, you can pick the proper solvent. A good scrubbing with denatured alcohol will remove shellac, mineral spirits for varnish, and if that does not work, I like to use a product called citrus strip. It's lye and citrus based stripper that smells like oranges. I don't recommend strippers that are methaline chloride based because they are very toxic to the user and should be reserved for very small projects - preferably outside. When stripping, work in small progressive sections. Don't forget to clean out the spaces between the boards. The edge of a putty knife works well for this. As you finish each section clean it with Murphy's Oil Soap and water, rinse with clear water on a damp rag.
Damaged or small missing pieces of wood can be replaced and repaired with wood epoxy and stained and grained to match. Boards that are damages beyond repair can be replaced with boards taken out of closet. Water stains and other discoloration can be removed with wood bleach (oxcilic acid) available at your local hardware store. And last but not least, option three. If there isn't any finish left on your floor or what is there is thin, undamaged, and even all your floor needs is a good cleaning and a very light sanding. You can apply a new finish right over the top. I suggest that you try a test spot in a corner or closet to make sure the finish will in fact have good adhesion.
Next time we will unravel the mysteries of staining, graining, and finishes. For more tips and advice on restoration projects write to Randa in care of the Sherman Hill Office.
(We thank you for your bravery and wish you well)
Hal Davis and York Taenzer for your new house, Jennifer Wilson for your new house, Jack Hatch and Sonja Roberts for working on the Wellsport and Portwell, Mark Schelle for working on 20th and Pleasant, Michael and Emily Donovan for saving the Glanton house, The Sherman Hill Association for coordinating the rehab of 698 20th Street, Ton Stam and David Clem for introducing us to the finest chocolate ever (and also restoring your house and yard) and Mary Reavely and Marv Weidner for the vision of what your yard can be!!!
CELEBRATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION WEEK WITH YOUR NEIGHBORS
Sherman Hill Neighbor's Quarterly Meeting
Special Guest
By York Taenzer
The SHA Board has had numerous discussions about how to collect our yearly dues. We have concluded that it makes sense to collect hem once a year at the same time. The best time is during the first quarter. This frees up the rest of the busiest part of the year to focus on the House Tour and other events.
We hope this isn't an inconvenience. It just makes housekeeping sense. For the purposes of 1998, we hope that you want to pay for the entire year at once, but we will prorate any payments make after June 30th as one half of the yearly rate. This will assure that we are all on the same schedule. Please call York Taenzer at 288-5719 if you have any questions about this arrangement.
SPREAD THE WORD
Are you interested in advertising in our newsletter? Please call the Sherman Hill Office at 284-5717 for our reasonable rates.
Saturday Morning - 'Til NoonDumpsters in front of Celebrity Care(700) block of 16th Street)CHIPPER AVAILABLEWe Need Volunteers to help haul and operate the chippers!Cal Dave Mowitz for details 243-3327Party afterward in the yard of Carrie Pester and Phil Shields647 - 20th Street |
Ever wonder why someone else's brush or rock pile used to bother you but now you just ignore it? Maybe it's time to take a close look at your yard, alley, house, rental property or storage pile through the eyes of an outsider. Spring is a great time to make small inexpensive improvements that collectively make a BIG visual impact.
Cut those scrub trees, paint that trim, clean up that rock pile, and pull those weeds...plant some flowers, and clean the attic...Cleanse your mind, body, house, and yard!
(Take advantage of the May 16th clean up and forthcoming neighborhood garage sale.)
Anyone interested in creating sculptures with tree limbs? Call Sonja Roberts at 244-2941 w or 243-2033 h.
If fencing is allowed by Historic District Code to a maximum of 6'-8' tall, could it's purpose be served as well at a slightly shorter height?
Interested in Becoming a Master Gardener?
Call Sonja Roberts if you're interested. 244-2941 days, 243-2033 evenings.
White Elephants and valuable Junque for Sale
While you're spring-cleaning, don't forget to save your treasures for the neighborhood garage sale. Donations are tax deductible and we have a great time!!!!! Date in June to be determined...We will send around fliers with the details.
See...Things Really Are Happening!!!
Heirloom Rose Bouquets To:
Rick and Ruth Bloxham for their new front porch, Ellen Huntoon and Curt Sytsma for their new back porch, Charles and Mary Pope for their house addition, Larry Morgan and Joe Youman for their gazebo, John Rice and Sam Heckethorne for the new retaining wall, David Wood for his front yard and backyard too, Sue and Rick Frambach for preserving Bridal Row, Keith Johnson for giving new life to his house on 18th Street, and Anthony Horvath and Wade Scherer for the beginning of a beautiful garden!
1623 Woodland Ave., 243-2033
666 19th street, 288-4958
920 18th Street, 288-8984
744 18th Street, 243-2168
650 17th Street #1, 280-9141
905 18th Street, 282-8751
853 18th Street, 280-6320
1701 Woodland Ave., 282-0396
911 18th Street, 280-3961
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SHERMAN HILL NEWS is a publication of the Sherman Hill Association, Inc. a non-profit corporation with officers at 756 16th Street, Des Moines, Iowa 50314. The Association is dedicated to the restoration of the Sherman Hill Historic District, enhancement of the districts social environment and commitment to the district. The NEWS is published six times each year in January, February, April, June, August, and October. Views expressed are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the Association. |