Historic Preservation and Public Policy
Seattle 's preservationists and their supporters influence policy makers through coordinated and sustained efforts via Historic Seattle's advocacy program. We visit decision makers, attend public meetings, provide public testimony, analyze environmental review documents, send letters to decision makers, partner with like-minded organizations, and maintain an online presence for information sharing.
Public policies in every community dictate which buildings are merely old and which are historically significant. You can play a role in helping to determine the next demolition in your neighborhood.
The advocacy program staff and volunteers at Historic Seattle provide background materials to all interested parties who are focused on the specific needs and issues confronting preservation interests. The program also offers a comprehensive preservation advocacy training program comprised of a full-day workshop offered twice annually. The next workshop is listed on Historic Seattle's events calendar elsewhere on this website.
Historic Seattle's advocacy program also provides technical assistance on a range of issues – including financial incentives; residential and commercial property research; City and County Council election surveys; building codes; city, county, state and federal landmarking procedures; environmental review procedures, building neighborhood support for preservation, and online research techniques. For assistance with your preservation policy issue, e-mail christine@historicseattle.org.
To receive a weekly electronic update of advocacy news regarding Seattle and environs and to be informed of upcoming opportunities for involvement, register your contact information with Historic Seattle's Preservation Advocate, Christine Palmer at christine@historicseattle.org.
A Definition You Can Use
What is historic preservation? Historic preservation is saving Seattle's past, our cultural heritage, and our historic built environment. It is concerned with conservation, maintenance, protection, and repair.
Historic preservation includes the architectural aspects of our heritage from buildings and other structures to historic sites and entire communities, heritage districts, and heritage corridors. Historic canals, farms, landscapes, industries, lighthouses, railroads, rivers, scenic views, and archaeological ruins are all part of our cultural heritage. Historic preservation considers our heirloom craftsmanship, building materials, tools, and construction methods. The description and documentation of all aspects of our heritage and history are a vital part of historic preservation. In addition to protecting and saving our heritage, historic preservation fosters an appreciation of our diverse cultural heritage.
To many, the economic benefits of historic preservation may be the most important. Historic preservation provides an avenue to enrich and revitalize our lives and communities. It creates jobs, revitalizes downtown areas, stimulates businesses, and ultimately, makes communities more vital. Historic preservation offers tax incentives, funding possibilities, motivation for community involvement, and fosters community spirit. Historic preservation enables communities to become economically viable and livable.
State Heritage Caucus
Here is your chance to meet top historic preservation decision makers and heritage policy professionals at the state and local levels. The Washington State Legislature convenes each January and concludes in the late spring. During each session the legislature will review several thousand bills; some will receive approval in both houses and be signed into law by the Governor, the majority will not. The operating and capital biennial budgets are on the agenda every other year. First the Governor presents the Legislature with a draft budget, next the House of Representatives releases their version, and then the Senate produces theirs. Negotiations continue until all three branches are in agreement, usually at the end of session.
Here is where historic preservation issues are explored within the State Legislature: The national award winning Washington State Legislature's Heritage Caucus convenes each Wednesday at 7:00 a.m. for its weekly hour-long meetings during the legislative session. They are open to the public and you can join them in the Cherberg Building conference room A/B, on the Capitol Campus in Olympia. Presentations from various state agency heads, consultants, and other interested parties are offered on state historic preservation issues. Usually at least fifty people attend and the start time is prompt, so plan to arrive about 6:45 a.m. if you are driving from Seattle. Questions or comments should be e-mailed to the Heritage Caucus staff, Lauren Danner, Head of State Capital Museum and Outreach Center, Washington State Historical Society, ldanner@wshs.wa.gov.
Formed in 1990, the Heritage Caucus is a loose bi-partisan organization of state legislators and other elected officials, state heritage, cultural and lands agencies and nonprofit organizations that supports the protection of the state’s historic and cultural legacy. Some of the diverse partners include the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation, the Olympia Heritage Commission, the Squaxin Island Tribe, the Steilacoom Historical Society, the Maritime Heritage Foundation, Historic Seattle, King County Landmarks, Seattle Landmarks Commission, the Steamer Virginia V Foundation, the Arts Alliance of Washington, the Northwest Railway Museum, and others. The Caucus has been successful in securing legislation to fund a number of capital heritage projects and support for heritage initiatives across the state.
The Caucus grew out of the state’s Centennial celebration in 1989. Members of the Centennial Commission, including the governor’s wife, the Secretary of State, the head of the House Appropriations Committee, and the majority leader of the Senate, worked together to fund the celebration. Afterward, the State Historical Society proposed a new State History Museum in Tacoma, and the legislative effort to accomplish this goal established the structure of the Caucus. At that time the key leadership in the House and Senate were all from the Tacoma area, so there was strong political support. In addition, the governor’s wife went on the board of the Historical Society.
The Caucus is staffed by the State Historical Society. Leadership is shared between a member of the House and a member of the Senate representing different parties. It is open to any elected official, staff person, or organization. Typically 7-10 legislators or their staff, the Secretary of State or staff, and 12-15 agency or organizational staff attend.
During legislative session the group meets weekly at 7:00 a.m. for an hour. It reviews bills and budgets that affect heritage, and recommends strategies for success. The Caucus is a place to find bill sponsors, float proposals, and learn about what other agencies and groups are doing.
The Caucus has been successful in obtaining budget support for the State Historic Preservation Office, State Historical Society, Office of Tourism, Heritage Corridors of Washington State Department of Transportation, State Archives, the State Oral History Project, and State Arts Commission. It was instrumental in fighting off efforts to eliminate the Arts Commission. Every legislative session is different, and new legislators need to be educated and invited to participate.
Concerned About a Particular Building?
Is there an old structure in your neighborhood or elsewhere in Seattle where the site might be a candidate for demolition and new construction. The best time to investigate is before the development proposal sign appears. And you don't need the owner's permission to examine the history of the property in local public archival repositories. Simply obtain the street address, write a few sentences expressing why you think the site might be threatened, and send your information to me at christine@historicseattle.org . An exact street address is required since researching "the corner of…." can be ineffectual. We will conduct preliminary research, and if the property is found to have some potential historic significance, Historic Seattle will begin to track it as part of our protection efforts.
Seattle Planning Commission Releases Recommendations On Incentive Zoning
On February 27, 2007 the Seattle Planning Commission released its White Paper report which gives recommendations on how Seattle should use incentive zoning programs to meet predicted housing and job growth targets while contributing to livability and sustainability. Please visit http://www.seattle.gov/planningcommission/docs/SPC_IncZon.pdf to view the White Paper and its recommendations.
Ballard Special Meeting
A Special Meeting of the Ballard Avenue Landmark District Board has been scheduled for March 15, 2007 at 9:00 a.m. to review a proposal by the Olympic Athletic Club. Two buildings which are non-contributing to the historic district are proposed for demolition: 5214 and 5216 Ballard Avenue NW. The new construction proposed for the site is a four-story mixed-use building which will be larger than the buildings to be demolished. Please attend this meeting and discover whether or not you are comfortable with this proposed change to the historic district streetscape. The Board members and staff welcome your input. For more information, please contact Board Coordinator Heather McAuliffe at 684-0229 or at heather.mcauliffe@seattle.gov
South Lake Union Neighborhood Plan Prioritization – Opportunity for Public Input
The Seattle Department of Planning and Development planners have been working with the South Lake Union neighborhood to update the South Lake Union Neighborhood Plan. The new plan builds on goals for neighborhood character, transportation, parks and open space, and adds sustainable development and housing goals. An updated neighborhood plan will help to make sure that South Lake Union is ready for future growth.
As of June 2007, DPD had been working with South Lake Union community groups to prioritize the neighborhood plan’s recommendations. DPD, the South Lake Union Friends and Neighbors Community Council and the Cascade Neighborhood Council plan to hold a public meeting in late June to present the preliminary results of this work, and to receive input from the broader community. A time and location for this meeting will be announced in early June 2007.
In order to receive information about this and future meetings related to South Lake Union neighborhood planning either see DPD’s South Lake Union website at www.seattle.gov/dpd/planning/slu , or send your contact information to Lish Whitson, DPD Land Use Planner, at lish.whitson@seattle.gov .
Seattle Affordable Housing Forum and Brown Bag Lunch
Special Meeting of the Seattle City Council
Housing, Human Services and Health Committee
Friday, July 20, 2007 12:00 P.M.
Members:
Tom Rasmussen, Chair
Sally J. Clark, Vice Chair
Richard J. McIver, Member
Nick Licata, Alternate
Presenters:
Office of Housing,
Council Central Staff,
Various Not-for-Profit and For-Profit Developers
(2 Hours)
Historic Seattle provided the following input to the Housing, Human Services and Heath Committee: Affordable housing rehabilitation can contribute to the ongoing vitality of historic neighborhoods as well as of the businesses and institutions that serve them. Federal tax incentives provide opportunities for historic preservation and affordable housing to work together, including the Low-Income Building Tax Credit and the Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit. Continued investment in historic buildings through rehabilitation and repair for affordable housing purposes and stabilization of historic districts through the construction of infill housing should be recognized as contributing to the broad historic preservation goals of neighborhood revitalization and retention.