Preservation Alert: Double Threat to Anson Ward and Oglethorpe Square

First Alert: Highly Inappropriate and Ominous Carriage House Proposed at 219 East York Lane

A dreary, dark and totally out-of-place structure is proposed to be dropped onto a picturesque block of East York Lane, between Lincoln and Abercorn Streets. Here’s the Lane seen from Lincoln Street.

Here is what is proposed::

This proposal, already dubbed the “Darth Vadar" of carriage houses, is designed by the same architects who gave us the overscale and unwanted bright white Amelia on York and Lincoln. Like the Amelia, this proposal is completely inappropriate in this location. The design above is slightly different from prior versions but still clashes harshly with every historic building in sight. If you feel likewise, please attend the hearing and/or email the MPC your objection.

The proposal will be heard at the Historic District Review Board at 1 PM on Wednesday July 9, 2025 at 112 East State Street. Whether or not you can attend in person, please send an email to the HDBR at wilsonm@thempc.org. (Please send a letter even if you already sent one on the prior proposal.) Please send it by July 7 in order to be sure it is included in the record. Here is a sample letter:

Dear Ms. Wilson,

I oppose the proposed carriage house at 219 East York Lane. It is not visually compatible in height and mass with the contributing buildings in view and is inconsistent with the Design Standards.

[Signature]

[Address]

Please copy opc.preservation@gmail.com on your email.

Second Alert: Junior League Proposes Metal Arched Gate to Nowhere in Oglethorpe Square

On July 10, 2025 at 4:00 PM at 112 East State Street, the Historic Site and Monument Commission will review a proposal for a monument to the Junior League in Oglethorpe Square, the site of the historic Owens-Thomas House. Many neighbors are not happy with the proposal. It is an arched gate nearly 13 feet high composed of ornamental metalwork supposedly “reminiscent” of cast iron.

In recent survey sponsored by the City for public art, the consensus of citizens was that the National Historic Landmark District in and of itself is a work of art and therefore does not need any public art added to it.

We hope that the Junior League will withdraw their application.        

Here is what is proposed:

If you feel that this proposal is inappropriate for this location, please attend the hearing and/or email the Historic Site and Monument Commission your objection.

The proposal will be heard at the Historic Site and Monument Commission at 4 PM on Thursday July 9, 2025 at 112 East State Street. Whether or not you can attend in person, please send an email to the HDBR at wilsonm@thempc.org. Please send it by July 7 in order to be sure it is included in the record. Here is a sample letter:

Dear Ms. Wilson,

I oppose the Junior League’s proposed monument in Oglethorpe Square. It is not appropriate for its setting and runs afoul of our understanding that new public art will not be imposed upon the historic district.

[Signature]

[Address]

Please copy opc.preservation@gmail.com on your email

Sincerely,  

Andrew Berrien Jones 

Chair, Oglethorpe Plan Coalition, Inc.