Fort Lauderdale holds off on 1918 home's demolition

Commissioners won't let one of the city's historic homes be demolished and a significant, centuries-old Indian mound face potential harm without first reviewing the case themselves.

They unanimously agreed Wednesday to hold their own hearing Jan. 6 regarding demolition of the 96-year-old Rivermont House on the north banks of the New River in Sailboat Bend.

However, several commissioners said they were less concerned about the house, which the owner's representatives said was too far gone to be saved and had little remaining historical value, than about the Tequesta Indian mound underneath it.

A recent survey found thousands of artifacts that could date back 1,000 years or more in the mound. The firm that conducted the survey for owner Michelle Grosman also outlined steps that would be taken so that demolishing the house would not affect the mound.

The city's Historic Preservation Board this month unanimously approved Grosman's request to demolish the house and the plan for protecting the mound. The demolition also had the support of the Sailboat Bend Civic Association.

A report by Merrilyn Rathbun, honored by the commission earlier at Wednesday's meeting for her role in preserving the city's history, said the house at 1016 Waverly Road should not be destroyed. The Florida Department of State has also weighed in, sending a letter encouraging the home's preservation.

lbarszewski@tribpub.com or 954-356-4556

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Fort Lauderdale holds off on 1918 home's demolition