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Theresa Cardamone

Theresa Cardamone

Seattle School Board Director, Director District 7

RESPONSE RECEIVED: August 31

  • Why is historic preservation important?

Historic preservation recognizes the value society places in honoring our roots. It provides a record of the history of an area, and allows future generations the opportunity to understand their past. It brings continuity to neighborhoods. Many important structures and neighborhoods have been lost throughout history due to the disposable mentality that mankind sometimes exhibits.

  • What should government’s role be in local, state, and national preservation issues, concerns, and opportunities?

A democratic government is a government of the people. The local, state and national governments must play the role of steward of the people's will. That means supporting and enforcing preservation attempts generated by citizens…and it can also mean ensuring preservation for the good of the all in spite of the will of the few.

  • What is your track record of supporting local historic preservation programs?

I have no track record, other than supporting the efforts of the Committee to Save Schools.

  • Local government entities own many historic properties, both designated as well as eligible for designation as landmarks. What is your position on the stewardship of these properties? What amount of funding for maintenance and rehabilitation would you support for these properties?

Seattle Public Schools has several buildings that have or may be eligible to have landmark status. I look at that as a positive thing that should be considered from the start when plans are drawn up to remodel or rebuild schools. We have not been maintaining our existing buildings. Many are deteriorating and have health and safety issues. They are left to fall apart to the degree that they are too expensive to repair. That must stop. We teach our children to take good care of their things…we need to set a good example.

5. What policy changes would you support to strengthen protections for designated landmarks?

A policy is worthless if it is not enforced. I would support putting some teeth into the existing policies, and amending them as needed

6. What policy changes would you support to strengthen protections for buildings which have previously been surveyed and were determined to be eligible for a landmark designation?

With regard to school district property, buildings that are eligible for a landmark designation should be so designated. Recently, parts of the Cleveland High School interiors were found to be deserving of landmark status, but District staff did not report that status to the Board. Fortunately, Citizen Chris Jackins raised the issue, and it will be heard at greater length by the full Board in a work session. District policy supporting landmark status should be enforced.

7. What policy changes would you support to strengthen protections for older buildings which have not yet been surveyed and have not been evaluated for eligibility for a landmark designation?

I believe that the School District should survey all of the buildings to find out if they are eligible for landmark status, and protect them as if they are until the findings are complete.

8. In communities across the nation, public funds have been used to survey the historic integrity of neighborhoods. In what ways would you support a comprehensive survey to identify, evaluate, and potentially designate properties as historic landmarks?

Public funds, in the form of levy money, are utilized in Seattle to maintain and improve our buildings. Often, an older school is the centerpiece of a neighborhood. It's halls and classrooms have held generations of citizens. It is very important that a thorough, independent analysis of each of those older buildings be done. As a Board Director, I would want to know in what ways the historic buildings could be preserved. The neighborhood must have a voice in this process.

9. Some community plans call for protection of architectural character and historic buildings with the establishment of conservation districts and design controls. What actions would you support to sustain community character?

These designations were created to preserve buildings that are architecturally and historically significant. The establishment of such districts and landmarks recognizes the particular historic and architectural qualities of neighborhoods and buildings in Seattle and encourages their protection and maintenance for the benefit of the entire City. The regulations in the neighborhood conservation districts are tailored to the needs of the particular neighborhood and are generally less strict than those in historic districts.