Preservationists' relieved as Obici House gets reprieve

Posted to: News Suffolk
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Suffolk officials toured the Obici mansion in the summer. A renovation of the home is expected to cost about $2 million. The operator of the golf course on which it sits has said he’d like to see it restored. (David B. Hollingsworth | Virginian-Pilot file photo)

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The history
The Suffolk City Council has been batting around the future of the Obici House for months. Two organizations had bids to restore and reclaim the home, but one later withdrew the offer.

The solution
James R. Rountree, who oversees the Sleepy Hole Golf Course – where the house is located – has agreed to restore the home. It will remain in place and be open to the public.

By
The Virginian-Pilot
© January 21, 2010

SUFFOLK

Pleas came from far and wide Wednesday to save the Obici House, home of Italian immigrant Amedeo Obici, founder of Planter's Peanuts. And the City Council answered them with a unanimous vote to give the job to James R. Rountree, who has overseen the Sleepy Hole Golf Course for years and recently decided to include the Obici House in his business plans.

The council has been batting around the future of the home for months. Besides Rountree, two other organizations had bids to restore and reclaim the home: Citizens for the Preservation of the Obici House and the Suffolk Professional Firefighters. The firefighters group later withdrew the offer.

"The Obici House is important not only to Suffolk but to Virginia and Virginia's agricultural roots," said Sonja Ingram, field representative for the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

"My goal is not only to save it from the wrecking ball but to restore it," said Jolyne Dalzell, Obici's great-niece, who lives in New Jersey. Amedeo Obici's favorite place is on the 18th hole of the popular golf course, overlooking the Nansemond River. It has inlaid floors, crystal chandeliers and unique banisters, said Mary Jane Naismith, president of the Suffolk Sister Cities Commission.

The city is partnered as a sister city with Obici's hometown in Italy. He came to the United States at the age of 11, unable to speak English.

On Wednesday, Mayor Linda Johnson was interested in the fact that the home would not be moved from its current location. And Councilman Jeff Gardy wanted to know whether Rountree could afford the offer.

Rountree has agreed to restore the home and to take the cost of restoration from his annual rent. The home will remain in place, become a part of the golf course and will be open to the public.

"Mr. Ronnie Rountree has offered us a solution for what might have been a sticky problem," Gardy said.

The council also agreed to amend the lease that Rountree already has on the golf course to include the house.

"I hope this is a good ending to the Obici story," Johnson said.

Linda McNatt, (757) 222-5561, linda.mcnatt@pilotonline.com

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LOL!!!!!

Submitted by HiYa on Thu, 01/21/2010 at 10:57 pm.

What a conn job! Are you ready to push for TERM LIMITS in Suffolk now?

YES!!! Bring me the next

Submitted by scarlett on Fri, 01/22/2010 at 1:25 am.

YES!!! Bring me the next election. My vote will be for some NEW (and hopefully cleaner) candidates!!

Public Money, again!!!

Submitted by Roger Leonard on Thu, 01/21/2010 at 2:06 pm.

I am at a crossroads on this issue, with the latest decision by the Council to give the Obici House to Mr. Roundtree via his existing lease for the Golf Course, without open bidding. In addition, I have personally talked to the Mayor and Mr. Parr, and both have assured me that there would be “no public money spent on this project”. I thought that was very clear and to the point, but what is the difference between Mr. Roundtree spending the rent money from the Golf Course Lease that would accrue to the city (ie: PUBLIC MONEY!!!) and just spending more PUBLIC MONEY??? This is a farce to say the least and will lead to spending “Public Money” for another historical project by way of the BACKDOOR! This backdoor method to get at “PUBLIC FUNDS” in these hard times, for the historical restoration of the Obici House is not what we were sold. Don’t get me wrong, I do support a “privately funded effort” to save this important home, but this is just more sleight of hand under the guise of a solution! I also am unsure if this just might not violate the Virginia Procurment ACT, by such a change without open bidding...

Roger A. Leonard
Suffolk...

Happy and Sick

Submitted by scarlett on Thu, 01/21/2010 at 11:20 am.

Okay, I am happy that the house will be saved, but all I can say for our Suffolk politicians is SHADY. They make me sick.

Now let's see that proposal Ronnie. Are you really going to preserve the house to historic preservation standards? AND, how much exactly do you pay in rent? I think this should all be public information but Suffolk won't even release the details with a FOIA request. SHADY. SHADY. SHADY.

Happy and Sick

Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 01/21/2010 at 12:35 pm.

Great comment Scarlett!

Rescuer of Obici House

Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 01/21/2010 at 10:02 am.

Mr. Ronnie Rountree, a Planning Comission member has just gained more money for his pocket! This just proves the Northern End of Suffolk is governed by the Rountrees and Johnsons. Backdoor politics at it's best!
"It's NOT a good time to be in Suffolk!"