FRAMEWORK 1.1. Regional Setting & Historic Preservation 1.2. Downtown 1.3. Demographics 1.4. Environment 1.5. Economy 1.6. Infrastructure 1.7. Land Use 19 Framework The Framework section of the Plan includes those features of the community that are essential to its viability. These components are considered foundational for the long-term survival of a City. “We have accepted there is a big role for government to create a framework where businesses can grow in all parts of the country.” ~ George Osborne “Our role is to maintain and monitor a framework in which fair competition can flourish.” ~ Arthur Levitt 21 1.1 Framework: Regional Setting & Historic Preservation Vision: Hutchinson takes pride in its history and culture, which contribute to the economic success and unique identity of the City. This section includes background information for Hutchinson’s regional setting, as well as a discussion of the community’s historic preservation program. Background Regional Context and Historical Development Geographically, Hutchinson is situated in South Central Kansas. Located 50 miles northwest of Wichita and 200 miles southwest of Kansas City, Hutchinson is the 11th largest city in Kansas and is home to 42,080 residents (2010 Census). Hutchinson is located on the Arkansas River in the northeastern part of Reno County. The City’s population comprises approximately two-thirds of the total county population. In 1871, Clinton Carter Hutchinson made a deal with the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad to route a rail line through the area that would soon become Hutchinson, and he founded the City near the location where the rail line crossed the Arkansas River. In 1872, Reno County was incorporated by an act of the state legislature, and Hutchinson became the county seat (Baker & Smith, xvii). The discovery of salt near Hutchinson in 1887 engendered the local salt industry and gave rise to the first salt processing plants west of the Mississippi River (Baker & Smith, xx). In fact, Hutchinson is known as the “The Salt City” for its underground salt deposits and expansive salt mines. Hutchinson salt companies still active today include the Hutchinson Salt Company, Cargill and Morton Salt. While the railroad and salt put Hutchinson on the map, the City’s rich agricultural heritage cultivated by Russian and German Mennonite farmers and the City’s connection to the agricultural economy assured its growth. The City’s central location and access to three railroads made it a hub for the wheat market in the early 1900’s. The Hutchinson Board of Trade, which was established in 1912, helped to make Hutchinson an important center for commerce in Kansas (Baker & Smith, 10). Hutchinson boasts a variety of amenities, including the Historic Fox Theatre, Strataca and the Cosmosphere International SciEd Center and Space Museum. Hutchinson has been the home of the Kansas State Fair since 1913 and the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Men’s Basketball Tournament since 1949. 23 Designing our Future: Imagine Hutch 2037 One of the earliest Dillons food stores was established in Hutchinson in 1913. While the Dillons stores were purchased by the Kroger Corporation in the 1980’s, Hutchinson serves as the headquarters for Kroger Accounting Services. The City is a great location for golfing in Kansas, offering easy access to several premiere courses. The Carey Park Golf Course is City-owned and located in Carey Park. Other nearby golf courses include Prairie Dunes Country Club, Cottonwood Hills, Crazy Horse Sports Club & Golf Course and The Links at Pretty Prairie. Historic Preservation The City began historic preservation efforts in 1985. Since that time, Hutchinson has formally supported the preservation of its historic buildings, particularly those in the downtown area. Hutchinson has more than 300 properties designated on the national, state and local historic registers. Downtown Hutchinson has unique examples of architecture from various time periods dating from the 1880’s through the 1960’s. In 2004, the City supported the establishment of two National Register Historic Districts in the north and south sections of Downtown. In 2003, the City nominated the Houston Whiteside district to the state and national registers. The City’s only residential historic district, the Houston Whiteside district is characterized by several mansions built by high-profile citizens during and after the 1880’s building boom and many smaller working- class homes built during the 1910’s and 1920’s. Historic designation has allowed property owners to take advantage of federal and state tax credits for rehabilitation projects. Goals, Performance Measures, Issues and Strategies Issues Public and private sector support for historic preservation in Hutchinson has diminished over the years since the first preservation ordinance was adopted in 1987. Since 2010, the City’s budget for preservation programs and staffing has been reduced, which is reflective of declining support for historic preservation efforts. The once- dynamic Friends of Preservation organization dissolved in 2005 and there has not been organized public support for preservation since that time. Consequently, more historic property owners have resisted preservation requirements that protect the character of their historic buildings, and few seem interested in historic tax credits that would make their projects more affordable. Property owners often lack awareness of tax incentives that are available to assist with rehabilitation, and staffing levels at the City have not allowed for widespread educational efforts. 24 Framework: Regional Setting & Historic Preservation From 2013 through 2015, the Strongly Disagree Disagree City processed seven appeals of 4% Landmarks Commission decisions, 6% including two demolitions, which were ultimately granted by the City Council. Throughout the appeals, property owners expressed a lack Strongly of understanding of, and regard for, Agree preservation, and an unwillingness Neutral 31% to modify projects to make them 21% compliant with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation. However, recent survey results indicate that the general public is supportive of preservation. According Agree to the recent Comprehensive Plan 38% Community Survey, when asked if “preserving the City’s historic commercial buildings is very important,” 31 percent of respondents F.1.1.a. 2016 Community Survey: “Preserving the City’s historic commercial buildings is very important” indicated they “strongly agree” and 38 percent indicated they “agree.” Strongly Disagree When asked if “preserving the City’s Disagree 5% historic houses is very important,” 8% 27 percent indicated they “strongly agree” and 34 percent indicated they “agree.” See F1.1.a and F.1.1.b. Based on Strongly the survey responses and some of the Agree City’s recent experiences with owners 27% of historic buildings, it seems that while the general public may support Neutral preservation, those who actually own 26% historic buildings may not hold the same level of support for it. Agree Recognizing this disconnect with the 34% community, the City adopted the 2016 Historic Preservation Action Plan in January of 2016. The Action Plan identifies four strategies to address issues the City has faced with regard F.1.1.b. 2016 Community Survey: “Preserving the City’s historic to preservation: houses is very important” 1) Minimize the impacts of deteriorating housing stock on the ability to perform historic rehabilitation / preservation. 2) Accurately reflect the status of historically-designated properties and extent of historic districts. 3) Educate real estate brokers and current and new residents about historic district requirements and the responsibilities of owning historic properties.\ 25 Designing our Future: Imagine Hutch 2037 4) Raise citizen awareness about historic properties and the ramifications of performing work without permits and historic review, and enhance the ability of the City Council to review appeals. Specific actions to address the above issues are outlined in the 2016 Historic Preservation Action Plan. Regional Setting & History Goal Performance Measures G.1.1.a. Historic buildings and - Decrease in property maintenance properties are maintained, complaints in historic districts rehabilitated and protected - Increase in number of properties listed on from deterioration and loss. the National, State or Local Historic Register Strategies S.1.1.a.1. Implement and make periodic updates to the City of Hutchinson 2016 Historic Preservation Action Plan and preservation ordinance. S.1.1.a.2. Explore providing funding in the City’s budget for ongoing preservation consultation services to assist property owners with compliance with historic standards. S.1.1.a.3. Explore updating the Downtown Design Guidelines. S.1.1.a.4. Establish a catalytic investment entity (holding company) to control key Downtown properties until a qualified developer is found. S.1.1.a.5. Consider establishing a permanent incentive fund to offset the cost of façade improvements, architectural services and code footprints (building code analyses). 26 M.1.1.a. Downtown Historic Districts 2ND AVE 2ND AVE 1ST AVE 1ST AVE JEFFERSON ST JEFFERSON JEFFERSON ST JEFFERSON E L M S T E L M S T M A P L E S T M A P L E S T M A I N S T M A I N S T SHERMAN AVE SHERMAN AVE AT FW SE Y OODI W E ST ADAMS POPLAR ST POPLAR ADAMS ST ADAMS WALNUT ST WALNUT E S ST POPLAR I E ST WALNUT D A WASHINGTON ST WASHINGTON WASHINGTON ST WASHINGTON O T O F W W Y AVEAVE A A Downtown Core Property Lines North District Downtown Core Streets AVE BAVE B South District 0 0.1 0.2Miles AVE C AVE C 27 M.1.1.b. Houston Whiteside Historic District 2ND AVE 1ST AVE HIGH ST HIGH VINCENT ST VINCENT Houston Whiteside Historic District T Property S Lines TS MULP TS SHERMAN AVE G Streets N I 0 0.05H 0.1 Miles S ELM ST ELM R E P AVE A FORD ST FORD T S D N A L E V E AVE B L C 29 .