Q: Is the Dubois Boatwright House being renovated?

A: Plans have been filed by owner Julia Boatwright with Wilmington City Code Enforcement and the Wilmington Historic Preservation Commission to start stabilization repairs to the Dubois Boatwright House as well as possibly install a new metal roof, said Historic Wilmington Foundation Executive Director George Edwards.

“The owner wants only what is best for that house. She is aggressively moving forward with the city to bring it into compliance,” Edwards said.

Located at 14 S. Third St., the Dubois Boatwright House was built by John DuBois (a merchant and Wilmington town alderman) in 1760, making it one of Wilmington’s oldest houses. The Georgian style-home remained in the Dubois family (pronounced ‘De-bose’) until 1842. It was then inherited by Lucy Wright Wooster in 1844. Today, Julia Boatwright, a descendent of Wooster, is the owner. If the HPC and Wilmington City code enforcement give the green light, construction on the Boatwright home could begin early in 2012. “It’s a great house and it would be fantastic to see it really sparkle again,” said Edwards.

– Amanda Lisk

Q: Can a structurally sound house in the historic district be demolished to build a new one?

A: “In short, the answer is yes,” said Kaye Graybeal, the former director of development services for the city of Wilmington. “In the case of any demolition citywide, a permit is needed from the (New Hanover) County Building Inspections Office after obtaining the city’s sign-off.”

Within the city’s local historic districts, a permit must also be obtained from the Wilmington Historic Preservation Commission, Graybeal added. The commission may delay the city’s sign-off for a demolition permit for up to 365 days, “with variances from that time frame being granted depending on the historic and structural integrity of the building.”

“If the building has both historic and structural integrity, it is likely that the stay of demolition would be required for the entire 365 days, so that options other than demolition can be explored,” Graybeal said. “If the building is structurally sound, but has no historic significance, then the entire stay of demolition would be waived.”

If a historic building is within the National Register Historic District and not in any of the city’s local historic districts, then a 90-day notice to the Historic Preservation Commission is required. After that period, the building may be demolished after obtaining the permit, Graybeal said. Anyone planning to demolish a building within historic areas of the city should call the Planning Division at (910) 254-0900 to learn what the requirements are.

– Ken Little