HISTORIC PRESERVATION DOWNLOADS Newsletter with summary (2.2 Mb; summary will be updated before the August 7 meeting) Full text of draft (Check back; coming soon)

Committee chair:

The Historic Preservation Committee has drafted goals aimed at preserving, and in some cases, restoring, the historic character that is one of Sehome's most cherished features.

Neighborhood-wide goals

The committee has outlined a specific charter for ongoing Historic Preservation efforts. Key activities include documenting the general historic character of the neighborhood as well as specific buildings, seeking official recognition of new historic districts on Maple and Garden, and publishing and promoting materials to encourage owners to do historically sensitive development, renovation, and restoration.

One particulary innovative idea involves restoring the historic residential character on the North side of Maple Street by encouraging the transplanting of historic homes from around town that would otherwise be demolished or moved elsewhere. There's no obvious precedent for this kind of effort, so it's just an idea for now, but the committee is working to explore special designations or city support for it. First, we need to know whether the neighborhood likes the idea, so please come and discuss it with us Tuesday, August 7.