Oak Cliff United Methodist Church in July 2021
The City of Dallas Office of Historic Preservation will present a rare case next week to determine whether an Oak Cliff historic landmark property is falling into “demolition-by-neglect.”
The Dallas Landmark Commission could decide after a hearing on Monday whether the property is in bad enough shape to trigger notices to the owner and present a timeframe for repairs.
The 107-year-old Oak Cliff United Methodist Church is part of Oak Cliff’s original central business district, of which few remnants are left. It has been vacant since 2015, and the Nayeb Group purchased it in January 2020. Phone calls to the real estate company were not answered Thursday.
Preservation Dallas requested the city investigate whether the property is in violation of city rules meant to prevent owners of historic landmarks from allowing them to fall into disrepair.
A video blogger recently posted footage from inside the church on East Jefferson at South Marsalis that showed a roof leak and vandalism.
Advancing demolition-by-neglect cases has not been the common practice for the Office of Historic Preservation, says Director Murray Miller, although there was a case six months ago.
The Dallas Development Code defines demolition-by-neglect thusly:
“Demolition by neglect is neglect in the maintenance of any structure on property subject to … a historic overlay district that results in deterioration of the structure and threatens the preservation of the structure.”
Historic landmarks and buildings in historic districts “must be preserved against deterioration and kept free from structural defects.”
Here are all the ways in which a property could be in violation of the code:
(A)Â Â Â Parts which are improperly or inadequately attached so that they may fall and injure persons or property.
         (B)   A deteriorated or inadequate foundation.
         (C)   Defective or deteriorated floor supports or floor supports that are insufficient to carry the loads imposed.
         (D)   Walls, partitions, or other vertical supports that split, lean, list, or buckle due to defect or deterioration, or are insufficient to carry the loads imposed.
         (E)   Ceilings, roofs, ceiling or roof supports, or other horizontal members which sag, split, or buckle due to defect or deterioration, or are insufficient to support the loads imposed.
         (F)   Fireplaces and chimneys which list, bulge, or settle due to defect or deterioration, or are of insufficient size or strength to carry the loads imposed.
         (G)   Deteriorated, crumbling, or loose exterior stucco or mortar.
         (H)   Deteriorated or ineffective waterproofing of exterior walls, roofs, foundations, or floors, including broken or open windows and doors.
         (I)   Defective or lack of weather protection for exterior wall coverings, including lack of paint or other protective covering.
         (J)   Any fault, defect, or condition in the structure which renders it structurally unsafe or not properly watertight.
         (K)   Deterioration of any exterior feature so as to create a hazardous condition which could make demolition necessary for the public safety.
         (L)   Deterioration or removal of any unique architectural feature which would detract from the original architectural style.
