Thursday, March 6, 2008                  
10:30 a.m.                  
Downtown Kirkwood Special Business District Office

Present:  Commissioners Pat Jones, Tom Riggs and Staff Liaison Alan Lamberg met with Donna Poe, Director of Downtown Kirkwood Special Business District

Landmarks Commission seeks input from Kirkwood Downtown Special Business District Director on how to determine property owner initiative in favor of Downtown Kirkwood Historic District.

Downtown Kirkwood represents significant historic periods of development.  Main Street (now Argonne) served as grocery and farming feed needs of the town of Kirkwood since the 1870's.  A commercial corridor developed on Webster Ave (now Kirkwood Road) since the 1900's. Commercial expansion occurred between 1920 – 1960.  Several places represent community and cultural development, such as the Public Library; the building on the northwest corner of Kirkwood & Jefferson used to house municipal meetings on the 2^nd floor between 1869 and 1871.  A further detailed history can be examined in the National Register nomination cover for Kirkwood in the Landmarks Office.

During a meeting with the City Council two years ago, the Commission surmised that an initiative from property owners in favor of a district designation should represent a majority.

The Commission clearly wants to encourage an initiative for a National Register historic district.  A Local Kirkwood historic district designation is a separate issue in itself, and can be considered later.    In other words, National Register district designation is a priority concern. 

A National Register district is an honorary designation that is not under the regulatory purview of the Commission.  Owners can do what they wish to their property.  However, if an owner would like to benefit from tax credits for qualified restoration, specific guidelines from the State Historic Preservation Office must be followed.  Tax credits can be a beneficial resource.

A Local Kirkwood district is a designation that is under the regulatory purview of the Commission. Depending on the historic significance of a property, applications for demolition can be stayed from 60 to 270 days while a preservation alternative is sought.  New construction is subject to design review before building permit attainment. The Commission would develop design guidelines to help owners for these purposes.

Timeline: April – information session with property owners to determine initiative.  September – grant submission due for National Register nomination.

Issues particular to Downtown Kirkwood

Parking lots within a historic district, while non-contributing, would be reviewed for new construction.  It is beneficial for preservation when new construction is complimentary to the historic district.

Pedestrian-friendly storefronts.  National Register status would encourage owners to restore historic storefronts.  When 1^st floor offices move through attrition, they can be replaced with 1^st floor retail with offices on the 2^nd floor.  Downtown Webster Groves [and University City], 30 years ago, looked much like Kirkwood today.  After pursuing historic restoration, it is much more pedestrian-friendly and attractive for tourism. 

Some properties have been in families for two or three generations.  Perhaps they can be engaged with the idea of restoring their property to the grandeur in the time of their ancestors.

What to do

Communications with property owners will be upfront and clear.  Staff will generate informational flyers to help owners understand the difference between national and local districts.  Further, the benefits of national districts for downtown commercial properties will be outlined.

Commissioner Riggs compiled a list of property owners associated with the suggested downtown Kirkwood historic district.  Director Poe will correct the list in case of recent changes in ownership. 

Owners will be contacted via letter to inform them of an upcoming informational meeting tentatively set for Tuesday, April 1, or Wednesday April 2 in the morning.  For those who cannot make it to that meeting, they can attend the next Commission meeting in the evening of Wednesday April 9.