Carriage Town group discusses fire that destroyed Jackson-Hardy House

The Carriage Town Historical Neighborhood Association Oct. 21 discussed the fire that destroyed the historical 4,400-square-foot Jackson-Hardy House, 525 Garland St.

"No one will convince me this was a random arson fire," President Tim Monahan said. "This was a beautiful structure that was targeted specifically."

The structure was not insured, according to Monahan, because the cost of insurance was prohibitive. The building next to Jackson-Hardy House, owned by UM-Flint, was also destroyed by the fire.

"The intent was our house, not theirs," Monahan said. "The fire department does not defend abandoned buildings — they let the fire travel."

A member said he noticed the lower windows on the south side of the Jackson-Hardy House had been broken shortly after the fire that started in the basement was discovered. He said he couldn't tell if the windows were broken from the heat or if someone had broken them.

Another member commented on the public perception that the historical district was taking funds from the city's general fund that could be used to keep public safety personnel on the payroll.

"It's HUD (Housing and Urban Development) that is investing in these properties — not the city," said Monahan.

The group discussed offering a reward and posting banners on the fire site.

"We already have $600 donated for a reward and the Michigan State Police have a standard reward of $5,000 for information leading to arrest and conviction of an arsonist," Monahan said.

A member volunteered to investigate the possibility that the property was photographed from a satellite the day of the fire.

Suggestions for using the site include building a playground, erecting a monument out of the remaining stones, building a volleyball court and planting trees on it.

A discussion to move another building owned by the association to the property site was also discussed.

"We'll investigate all our options," Monahan said. "The city said they would clean up the site, but we are liable for cleaning up the foundation. We can sponsor a fundraiser to pay for the cleanup or clean it up ourselves," he said.

In other action:

• Kyle Stottmeister, Genesee Land Bank rehabilitation inspector, said his group is working on demolishing two properties, 518 Mason St. and 612 W. University Ave. No more properties are scheduled for rehabilitation because of the high costs and low selling prices.
• Volunteer Halloween patrols are scheduled from 5 p.m. to 4 a.m. Oct. 29, Oct. 30 and Oct. 31.
• A holiday potluck is scheduled for Dec. 30 at Carriage Town Ministries.
• Candidates to fill four seats on the board of directors will be sought for an election in January.

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