Friends of River Oaks, a group concerned with the preservation of buildings in the community, is renewing its push for owners of historic homes to seek protected status for the structures.

"We've written to a list of between 150 and 200 people who own such homes," said Jane Dale Owen, one of the group's organizers.

"We've already lost a quarter of our original homes."

The group will meet 6 p.m. Tuesday at the home of Jay Munisteri, 1912 Bellmeade St., in an effort to have five homes designated by Jan. 1 and to add another 25 during the coming year.

In a letter to homeowners, Owen said, "Many neighborhood residents are recognizing the value in owning a historically designated home that also allows them to preserve the architectural integrity of the community."