48 Hour Deadline Given for Action Plan

(CAMERON) The Cameron City Council held an emergency meeting today and ultimately set a deadline of Wednesday at 5 p.m. for an action plan to save the old Baskin Insurance building. If no plan is submitted, the process of having the structure demolished would begin.

A structural engineer was in Cameron Thursday to examine the building at the corner of First and Houston Streets. In a letter of recommendation received by the city late Friday, the engineer painted a dismal future for one of Cameron's oldest downtown buildings, suggesting that the structure be taken down immediately for safety reasons. According to City Administrator Janet Sheguit, the letter also suggested that two nearby businesses, Perkins & Bailey Tax Service, and Cameron Barber Shop, be vacated until the situation is rectified. The letter prompted City officials to call today's emergency meeting.

Community Activist Ray Ramirez (pictured above with owner Bridget Barfield of Dallas) told the Cameron City Council last Monday, he was in negotiations with Barfield to purchase the building with intentions of restoring the 1891 structure. Both were present at today's emergency meeting. In a renovation setting, major factors include time, weather, and safety precautions. Common consent on the council and from the parties involved was to save the building, however, according to Councilman Ernest Moore, two questions must be addressed. "Who has the finances to go in and stabilize the building quickly? And What kind of liability is there to provide public safety?" Moore said that every day the liability issue grows. Another area of concern is the uncertainty of a common wall between the Baskin building and the building which houses Perkins and Bailey Tax Service and Cameron Barber Shop. That added concern along with the fact that the building does not have a concrete foundation raise even more questions.

After a 90 minute debate, the Council gave Barfield until Wednesday at 5 p.m. to submit a written plan of action, which must include specific plans and a proposed timetable for the project. The Council will meet again next Monday to further discuss the Baskin building project.

Mayor James Lafferty said said "we would rather see the building restored than torn down". Lafferty said "Our concern is the safety of the people."

Linda Roark of the Texas Historical Commission visited the sight last Wednesday. She said the building "is very significantly sited in the downtown area and is certainly important to Cameron's historical integrity".

City crews were keeping a close watch on the building Saturday because of high winds in the area. Thunderstorms are again in the forecast, and as stated in the engineer's letter to the city, a sag in the what roof that remains, could "pond water in a rainstorm, thereby increasing the possibility that the remainder of the roof may collapse."

Meanwhile, First street between Houston and Travis remains closed, and the southbound lane of Houston Street in front of the building has also been temporarily closed by the city for safety reasons.

The old building was originally a mercantile, with a funeral parlor in the rear. It has also served as an insurance agency and dry good store. Last week, Citizens National Bank ordered the demolition of an early 1900's strip of buildings along Travis because of safety reasons. The bank plans to construct a lighted parking lot in it's place. (click here for story)

Engineer's letter to Cameron