African American Churches Historic District - Ordinance 2022-0030

DocuSign Envelope ID: CA3B4BC8-014B-4028-B2FE-DE35920D3738

ORDINANCE NO. 2022-0030-O (H-22-15) AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF TEMPLE, TEXAS, DESIGNATING A LOCAL HISTORIC DISTRICT IN EAST TEMPLE, THE AFRICAN AMERICAN CHURCHES HISTORIC DISTRICT, BOUND BY EAST AVENUE A TO THE NORTH, THE UNION PACIFIC RAILROAD TO THE EAST, EAST AVENUE E TO THE SOUTH, AND SOUTH MLK JR. DRIVE TO THE WEST; AND PROVIDING AN OPEN MEETINGS CLAUSE. _____________________________________________________________________________ Whereas, the City of Temple has been working with East Side Temple pastors of historically black churches to preserve a few of the more historically significant churches through local historic landmark designation - during that process, it has become apparent that there are other buildings in East Temple and surrounding downtown that have historic significance in the area that used to be known as Temple’s “Black Wall Street,” according to the late Rev. Roscoe Harrison, Pastor of 8th Street Baptist Church; Whereas, before World War II, that area was located immediately to the south of downtown and was characterized by a variety of black-owned small businesses, such as Dr. T. E. Dickinson’s office - post World War II, 8th Street (what is today known as Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.) became the primary Black Wall Street corridor; Whereas, in addition to the 3 historically significant churches, 8th Street Baptist, Corinth Baptist Church, and Wayman Chapel AME, there are other buildings of significance to Temple’s African-American history, such as the last remaining building in the 300 block of MLK Jr. Drive (311 S. MLK) and the Wheatley School (515 E. Ave. D); Whereas, the Historic Preservation Board and the City Council shall consider one or more of the criteria listed in Chapter 17 when considering the designation of a local historic district the proposed local historic district meets the following criteria for designation: 1. Character, interest or value as part of the development, heritage, or cultural characteristics of the City of Temple, the State of Texas or the United States; 2. Identification with a person or persons who significantly contributed to the culture and development of the city; 3. Relationship to other distinctive buildings, sites or areas which are eligible for preservation according to a plan based on historic, cultural or architectural motif; and 4. Value as an aspect of community sentiment or public pride; Whereas, at its April 20, 2022 meeting, the Historic Preservation Board recommended approval by a vote of XXXX - Staff recommends Council designate a local historic district in East Temple, the African American Churches Historic District, bound by East Avenue A to the north, the Union Pacific Railroad to the east, East Avenue E to the south, and South MLK Jr. Drive to the west; and

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DocuSign Envelope ID: CA3B4BC8-014B-4028-B2FE-DE35920D3738

Whereas, the City Council has considered these matters and deems it in the public interest to authorize these actions.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TEMPLE, TEXAS, THAT: Part 1: Findings. All of the above premises are hereby found to be true and correct legislative and factual findings of the City Council of the City of Temple, Texas, and they are hereby approved and incorporated into the body of this Ordinance as if copied in their entirety.

Part 2: The City Council designates a local historic district in East Temple, the African American Churches Historic District, bound by East Avenue A to the north, the Union Pacific Railroad to the east, East Avenue E to the south, and South MLK Jr. Drive to the west.

Part 3: It is hereby officially found and determined that the meeting at which this Ordinance was passed was open to the public as required and that public notice of the time, place, and purpose of said meeting was given as required by the Open Meetings.

PASSED AND APPROVED on First Reading and Public Hearing on the 5th day of May, 2022.

PASSED AND APPROVED on Second and Final Reading on the 19th day of May, 2022.

THE CITY OF TEMPLE, TEXAS

TIMOTHY A. DAVIS, Mayor ATTEST:

APPROVED AS TO FORM:

Jana Lewellen City Secretary

Kathryn H. Davis City Attorney

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