By Ashley McLeod, Staff Writer
Oct 7, 2014, 12:57
PRINCE GEORGE — A permit allowing the demolition of part of the Prince George County Historic Courthouse District has been issued to the owners and will be carried out soon.
The F.L. Buren Store, located along the old stage route across from the courthouse, was built in the 1870s. According to Carol Bowman at the Regional Heritage Center, the building may have been used as an ordinary where those who were in court across the street could stay and eat while waiting for court.
In 1927 the ownership of the building changed and it became Williams General Store, and then later in 1939, it became the F.L. Buren General Store. The store was open for a long time, until 1983 when it was closed by the owners. Since this, the building has gone unused.
The property was put up for sale, but no buyers came looking.
The building inspections department of the Prince George County government recently cited the property owner, Tommy Buren, for maintenance violations. Certain parts of the exterior of the building were cited, some related to the safety of the building.
Bowman said the building is still in good shape, and that it just needs a little bit of work.
“I think the fact that it’s still standing shows that the structure is good,” said Bowman. “It’s got thick brick walls and a wonderful tin roof. There are some cosmetic issues, but the building has wonderful bones.”
But the property owner, after receiving the citation for maintenance violations, does not have an interest in fixing the old building.
“The property owner, after receiving the notification that he had violations, came in and applied for a demolition permit to remove the building, and it was issued last week,” said Jeff Brown, Deputy Director of Inspections and Code Compliance.
Brown also said with the citation, the owner was given until the middle of October to fix the issues in the citation. At this time, the building will be inspected again to see if the violations have been fixed. Demolishing the building will take care of these issues as well.
While the demolition permit has been issued, the actual demolition of the building has yet to be scheduled. Bowman and the rest of the Heritage Center are using this gap to try and save the property. A petition has been drafted and currently has more than 250 signature, which will be sent to the Board of Supervisors to try and stop the building from being demolished.
Bowman said the building could be restored or donated, which would allow the property owner significant tax credits or tax breaks.
The building is on the historic register but is not protected from being removed or demolished.
The owner of the property could not be reached for comment.
