The Denton Historic Landmark Commission asked staff to research options to preserve a small surviving masonry wall associated with a Park Place service station and to provide an initial staff report and a ballpark estimate for recovering and storing the element.

Staff explained the item followed a letter from Joyce Kienes, who described family ties to a historic service station and requested recognition or preservation of a remaining portion of a wall. Cameron, a staff member, told commissioners that the fragment is "very small" and that Commissioner McAdams visited the site and photographed it. "She took a nice little with some assistance," Cameron said, summarizing the site visit included in the backup packet.

Why it matters: Commissioners described the fragment as a rare surviving piece of local commercial and agricultural history and debated whether the city should pursue relocation, interpretive display or a plaque. Commissioner McAdams said photographs do not do the object justice and argued it is "absolutely beautiful" and "sculpture in every way that matters," describing it as one of the last tangible reminders of what the neighborhood looked like decades ago. Other commissioners warned the fragment'if left in place'could be lost to road work or vehicle damage.

Discussion and staff direction: Commissioners asked staff to research the wall'including an archival review to confirm its age and historical associations'and to include an initial estimate for excavation, stabilization and storage or relocation. Commissioner John Hoenig and other commissioners specifically requested a ballpark cost for moving the fragment to a library, park or other public display location. At the conclusion of the discussion the commission took a motion: the chair moved to direct staff to prepare an informational staff report (to be distributed by email) with an initial assessment of significance and a cost estimate for reclamation and storage; the motion was seconded and adopted with no opposition.

Next steps: Staff will prepare the informational report and the preliminary cost estimate and return the item for future agenda consideration. Commissioners suggested possible display locations including a city library or North Lakes Park and encouraged staff to consider working with the Public Art Commission if relocation and display are pursued.

Ending: The commission placed the matter on its project matrix for follow-up and asked staff to return with more detailed research and preliminary costs.