Cit Y of Tacoma

C i t y o f t aC o m a H i s to r i C P reservation P l a n a C o m P r e H e n s i v e P l a n e l e m e n t April 12, 2011 Conducted by the Tacoma Planning Commission and Landmarks Preservation Commission Consistent with Washington State Growth Management Requirements (Adopted on 6/14/11, Amended Ordinance No. 27996) H i s to r i C P reservation P l a n t aC o m a P l a n n i n g C o m m i s s i o n Jeremy C. Doty, Chair Thomas O’Connor, Vice-Chair Chris Beale Peter Elswick Donald Erickson Sean Gaffney Scott Morris Ian Morrison Matthew Nutsch l a n d m a r ks P reservation C o m m i s s i o n Mark McIntire, Chair Ross Buffington, Vice Chair Edward Echtle Ken House Imad Al Janabi, PhD. Fred King Kathryn Longwell Megan Luce Bret Maddox, S.E. Ha Pham Pamela Sundell C i t y o f t aC o m a Ryan Petty, Community and Economic Development Director Peter Huffman, Assistant Director Community and Ecomomic Development Donna Stenger, Planning Division Manager Reuben McKnight, Historic Preservation Officer Tonie Cook, Landmarks Coordinator C o n s u lta n t s Winter & Company 1265 Yellow Pine Avenue, Boulder, CO 80304 www.winterandcompany.net Artifacts Consulting 201 North Yakima Avenue, Tacoma, WA 98403 www.artifacts-inc.com m a g e r e d i t s i C Code Studio, Inc. Cover image courtesy Artifacts, 1200 E 11th Street, Suite 107, Austin, TX 78702 Inc. Plan images courtesy of www.code-studio.com University of Washington Digi- Hoshide Williams Architects tal Collection,Tacoma Public Li- 100 NE Northlake Way, Suite 150, Seattle, WA 98105 brary and Artifacts, Inc. as cited. www.hoshidewilliams.com Images without citation courtesy of City of Tacoma Historic Pres- Urban Advisors ervation Department or Winter & 1211 NW Glisan Street, Suite 204, Portland, OR 97209 Company. www.urbanadvisors.com i i C i t y o f t aC o m a H i s to r i C P reservation P l a n C o n t e n t s Executive Summary i Introduction IN-1 Preservation in Tacoma ........................................... IN-3 Historic Preservation and Sustainability .................... IN-5 A Vision for Historic Preservation in 2020 ................IN-10 Chapter 1 Historic Resources 1-1 Historic Themes and Topics ....................................... 1-3 Historic Property Types ............................................. 1-9 Existing Landmarks and Districts ............................. 1-13 Chapter 2 Program Components 2-1 Administration ......................................................... 2-3 Identification ............................................................ 2-5 Management Tools .................................................. 2-23 Incentives and Benefits ........................................... 2-33 Education .............................................................. 2-35 Advocacy ............................................................... 2-41 Chapter 3 Program Goals 3 - 1 Overall Goals, Policies and Actions ............................ 3-3 Administration Component Goals, Policies and Actions .............................................. 3-19 Identification Component Goals, Policies and Actions .............................................. 3-21 Management Tools Component Goals, Policies and Actions .............................................. 3-27 Incentives and Benefits Component Goals, Policies and Actions .............................................. 3-47 Education Component Goals, Policies and Actions .............................................. 3-51 Advocacy Component Goals, Policies and Actions .............................................. 3-55 Chapter 4 Implementation 4 - 1 Phasing Criteria ....................................................... 4-1 Implementation Table ................................................ 4-3 C i t y o f t aC o m a i i i H i s to r i C P reservation P l a n i v C i t y o f t aC o m a H i s to r i C P reservation P l a n exeCutive summary This Preservation Plan is a portion of the Tacoma Comprehensive Plan. It defines the City of Tacoma’s preservation goals, policies and actions for preservation and neighborhood conservation. It also provides a framework for other groups and organizations engaged in community- based initiatives with interests in protect- ing and experiencing cultural resources. The plan’s primary goal is the preservation and active use of cultural resources to enhance the city’s quality of life, economic vibrancy and environmental sustainability. P l a n B aC kg ro u n d Tacoma has a well-established preservation program, which enjoys i n t H i s s u m m a r y broad support by its citizens. It is recognized as a key ingredient in community well-being and livability. Noteworthy landmarks, such as What is Historic Preservation? ........iii the Old City Hall and Union Station, stand as signature reference Historic Preservation and points in the city and other places, including numerous churches Sustainability ....................................iii and schools, symbolize the community’s heritage. Some parks, A Vision for Historic Preservation in sites and other structures also are valued for their historic signifi- 2020 .................................................iii cance. Archaeological remains extend this sense of connection with Overall Goals, Policies and Actions iv the past. Goals and Policies for Program Components ....................................v i e x e C u t i v e s u m m a ry In many parts of the city, entire neighborhoods maintain their historic character and provide places to live today while retaining a sense of the past. Other older neighborhoods with traditional build- ing patterns also contribute to the sense of place that is Tacoma, even though they may not have historic significance. These areas, both residential and commercial, enhance the city’s quality of life. Many historic resources are formally recognized as individual land- Many of Tacoma’s important his- marks and as contributors to historic districts. Others remain to be toric resources, such as the South identified as having historic significance and still others, while known J Street Historic District, are locally to be of historic value, have not been formally designated. designated. While historic resources are valued, many factors challenge their H i s to r i C preservation. Some properties may be altered in ways that dimin- r e s o u rC e s ishes their integrity. Others may be under pressure for demolition, sometimes for redevelopment and sometimes because of extensive Recognition of historic resources deterioration. from early settlement to the more recent past continues to change and grow. The City uses a variety These challenges exist in part because some people may not value of tools to organize and define re- their properties as historic resources. Others are not aware of the sources. significance of their buildings, or lack the means to maintain them. In some cases, other objectives may appear to be in conflict with Historic Property Types preservation. Responding to these factors in strategic ways is key Groups of properties with common physical attributes or that share to an effective preservation program. relationships with historic figures and events may be considered While challenges will continue, this is a particularly exciting time of distinct historic resource types. opportunity for preservation in Tacoma, as well as nationally. There In many cases, historic resource is an increasing understanding of the roles that preservation and types are associated with particu- neighborhood conservation can play in sustainability and how it lar historic contexts or periods in the city’s history. complements many other community development objectives. New partnerships are forming in which a variety of groups promote his- Existing Landmarks and Districts toric resources in their work programs. For example, health care Many of Tacoma’s historic re- providers are promoting “Healthy Heritage” walks as part of their sources are officially recognized preventive medicine strategies. in the national, state or local historic registers. Additional historic New technologies also are emerging that will make it easier to resources exist but have not yet been identified or formally listed. identify historic resources, distribute information about their proper Historic listing provides opportu- stewardship and facilitate appropriate management. Linking his- nities for specific preservation in- toric resource information to Geographic Information Systems is an centives and may provide specific example. This tool will make historic survey information available to protections for listed properties. Substantial parts of the city exist a wide range of users, enhance an understanding of historic proper- that have the potential for listing, ties, and make the formal preservation system more understand- but are not. able and predictable to the community at large. i i C i t y o f t aC o m a e x e C u t i v e s u m m a ry W H at i s H i s to r i C P reservation ? Preservation means having properties and places of historic and cultural value in active use and accom- modating appropriate improvements to sustain their viability while maintaining the key, character-defin- ing features which contribute to their significance as cultural resources. In addition, preservation means keeping cultural resources intact for the benefit of future generations. Tacoma’s preservation program also extends to the conservation of older established neighborhoods where maintaining traditional character and quality of life are objectives.

Load more