Historic Preservation Commission Agenda and Packet 2014 01 13

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HISTORICAL BACKGROUND: Information provided by historian Bridget Bacon This property is part of Original Louisville, which was platted in 1878 by Louis Nawatny. The current structure was built in 1904, replacing several earlier structures that had been on the lot since at least 1893. The building is currently owned by the applicant, Historic 740 Front Street LLC, and is the home of the Old Louisville Inn restaurant. Di Francia /Fenolia/Zarini Families. Owners 1904-1945 E.J. "Joe" Di Francia bought the lot and had the structure built by the Fischer family construction business in 1904. Di Francia was an Italian immigrant who first came to Louisville around 1891, operating a tavern at a different location on Front (then First) Street before opening the tavern at this location. Di Francia operated the tavern, and was involved in helping other Italian immigrants assimilate into the community, until his death in 1918. He and his wife Marie had seven children. E.J.'s son, Nick, took over the operation of the tavern after his father's death, at which time it converted to a pool hall because of prohibition. Nick married Mary Fenolia and had two sons. Around 1928, the property was transferred to Nick's brother in law, Tony Fenolia, but there is no evidence Tony ever directly operated the business. In 1933, Tony's sister and brother -in -law, Christine and Charles Zarini, began operating a cafe out of the building. The Zarini's were one of the first Italian families in Louisville. Christine and Charles operated the restaurant until the early 1940s, when George W. Morgan, Sr. took over. The building was sold out of the family in 1945. From its construction in 1904, 740 Front Street served as a meeting place for Louisville's population of Italian immigrants and their descendants. The structure was also one of the many taverns and saloons on Front Street before prohibition, most of which are now gone. The building has continued to be used as a bar and restaurant under various names over the years. LANDMARK APPROVAL: On December 16, 2013, HPC recommended approval of a landmark request for the property. City Council will consider the landmark request concurrently with the grant request, currently scheduled for their February 4, 2014 meeting. REQUEST: The applicant, Historic 740 Front Street, LLC, is requesting the approval of a Preservation and Restoration Grant for rehabilitation work on 740 Front Street, commonly known as the Old Louisville Inn. The applicant is also requesting a New Construction Grant for the construction of a 998 square foot addition on the south side of the building. Combined with these, the applicant is also requesting an alteration certificate to allow for the rehabilitation work and addition to be completed.