FLORISSANT, Mo. – A Florissant homeowner with a more than 200-year-old historic home is fearful that a city street construction project will damage his historic house.
Mark Rowles says he’s lived in the house for some 20 years and put tens of thousands of dollars into the property to keep it true to its history.
“So, the first original part was built in 1790. We have three major additions put on to the house over the years. The last part…was 1938,” he said.
The home, located on Rue St. Dennis Street in Old Town Florissant, is on the National Register of Historic Places.
Rowles is concerned that a new city project to upgrade the street in front of his home could risk the historic property’s structural integrity.
“Heavy machinery working 10-feet from my foundation of a 1790-built house. Florissant has had many issues with other historic buildings having structural failures later because of the vibration,” he said. “Been working with the city to try to get some commitment that they would monitor this and keep it under control to make sure the building isn’t damaged in any way, and I haven’t had any luck.”
Rowles says he just wants to keep his home intact.
Florissant Public Works Director Todd Hughes says the city is “taking every effort” to protect the historic homes on Rue St. Dennis.
“We’ve added stipulations in our contract when we go out to bid that will cover those types of things,” Hughes said. “We do have, in part of those specs, we do have the vibrations monitored by a company as they’re doing construction in those areas.”
According to Hughes, it’s “highly unlikely” that vibrations from nearby equipment would damage Rowles’ home.
Rowles says he’s also trying to reach some compromise with the city over the shrubbery that’s going to be removed and the retaining wall being installed.
“We were hoping to get at least a line of evergreens behind it—maybe something to protect us from the noise,” he said.
But Hughes says some of the greenery will have to go.
“So, we are cutting down some trees on the city right of way close to his home, but we are approaching them from the street side of the right of way,” he said.
Rowles says he’s spoken with his councilman, who vows to bring up the issue at the next city council meeting.
“I would just like to know what the plan is for how they’re going to protect this house and the three others historic homes up and down the street,” he said.