Historic Newport home in danger

Photo of 825 York Street from Campbell County PVA

A home at 825 York Street faces possible demolition, despite its place on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Muehlenkamp-Erschell Funeral Home would like to demolish the house, ostensibly to expand their parking lot.

The funeral home, which is located at 835 York Street, already owns a parking lot at 827 York.

Last Thursday, the Newport Board of Adjustment denied by a 2-2 vote Muehlenkamp-Erschell's application for the parking lot.

The fear is that the funeral home will demolish the home and then re-apply with the Board of Adjustment in the hopes that, with the house being gone, the parking lot proposal might have a better chance of passing.

Local preservationists believe the Greek Revival home to have been built sometime between 1850 and 1860, making it the oldest home on the block.

Some of the historic character of the home has been altered, including the installation of vinyl windows.

It is currently a blighted multi-family property, and some local residents believe it might be a drug house.

An inspection in 2004 listed the property in "good" condition. No more recent inspections are available, though both officials involved in the city's historic preservation and the city's own code enforcement officers know nothing about any structural issues.

This area of Newport has seen quite a few rehabs in recent years.

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