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JACKSONVILLE Historic Keegan House preservation efforts move ahead Comment By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune Posted Sep. 7, 2015 at 12:01 AM Updated Sep 8, 2015 at 12:44 PM By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune Posted Sep. 7, 2015 at 12:01 AM Updated Sep 8, 2015 at 12:44 PM » RELATED CONTENT • 1865 Owen Keegan house » Social News JACKSONVILLE — Nearly three years after city officials became concerned about the deterioration of the historic 1865 Owen Keegan House, they finally were able to determine it was owned by a bank and have outlined preliminary preservation efforts. “The biggest issue has been trying to determine who owns the building. That has taken a long time,” said Donna Bowen, chairwoman of the town’s Historical and Architectural Review Commission. “It has taken many telephone calls to reach a live person.” Bowen has worked with Planning Department staff to try to prevent further deterioration of the Huener Lane home. Safeguard Properties was notified in June they were out of compliance with the Jacksonville city code that requires affirmative maintenance to preserve historic structures. Independent Housing Services of Moscow, Idaho, subsequently contacted the city at Safeguard’s direction. “The important piece is that we are actually talking to someone about that, about what work needs to be done, and it appears they are amenable,” said City Planner Ian Foster. Foster and city building official Dale Bohannan received permission to enter the property, and Bohannan prepared a report on conditions. No work has been performed yet. Owen Keegan was bailiff and jail keeper at the nearby county jail for 20 years during the 1800s. Dereck Wolf and Molly McPherson of Coupeville, Wash., shown as owners in 2012, are still listed on county records. Foster said the property is now bank-owned. Planning officials determined from Bohannan’s report that: A shed and barn are beyond repair and should be demolished. The house should be secured. There is evidence of activity inside. Power connections should be cut so that electrical service cannot be restored. Exterior wiring should be removed Windows, siding and roofing should be repaired to prevent further water intrusion. Bohannan said the house has historical significance but without ongoing maintenance, it will soon deteriorate to the point where it is beyond saving. Jacksonville’s code allows the city to perform repairs and put a tax lien on the property to prevent demolition by neglect if owners don’t make appropriate repairs to designated historic structures. But a lengthy process must take place before that happens. There is a financial hardship provision in the code that may provide property tax relief. “I applaud the staff on taking the time. The wheels of justice sometimes spin slowly when you are adhering to the law,” said Bowen. Foster said his department is also monitoring some other historic structures in town that need work, but no action has been taken. He hopes to develop a monitoring system that will help track historical properties. The reasons people neglect building maintenance can include illness, aging, divorce and finances, said Bowen. “It is so important for us to address the issue,” said Bowen. “They are a resource for tourism and what makes Jacksonville, Jacksonville.” Proposed new codes governing historic structures may help address similar issues in the future, said Bowen, who has served on a citizen’s advisory committee for three years that has assisted staff with code development. Foster anticipates a final advisory committee meeting on the new codes in October before they go to a public hearing before the Planning Commission. The Jacksonville City Council would then need to give approval for adoption. Tony Boom is an Ashland freelance writer. Reach him at [email protected] . By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune Posted Sep. 7, 2015 at 12:01 AM Updated Sep 8, 2015 at 12:44 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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