LAWRENCE HISTORIC RESOURCES COMMISSION

ITEM NO. 4B: DR-05-42-2006

STAFF REPORT

 

A.         SUMMARY

 

DR-05-42-06 2nd and Locust; Intersection Improvements; Certified Local Government Review.  Submitted by the City of Lawrence, the property owner of record.  The property is in the environs of the Union Pacific Depot, Register of Historic Kansas Places.

 

B.         PROJECT DESCRIPTION

 

The City of Lawrence is requesting to make modifications to the intersection of 2nd and Locust Streets by widening the intersection. 

 

 

Intersection at 2nd and Locust Streets

 

 

 

 

C. STANDARD FOR REVIEW

 

For projects that require a Certified Local Government Review, the Historic Resources Commission has typically used the Standards and Guidelines for Evaluating the Effect of Projects on Environs to evaluate the proposed project.

 

Standards and Guidelines for Evaluating the Effect of Projects on Environs

 

The following are Standards and Guidelines for Evaluating the Effect of Projects on Environs that apply to the proposed project:

 

1.       The character of a historic property's environs should be retained and preserved.  The removal or alteration of distinctive buildings, structures, landscape features, spatial relationships, etc. that characterize the environs should be avoided.

 

4.   Demolition of character-defining buildings, structures, landscape features, etc. in a historic property’s environs should be avoided.  When the severity of deterioration requires removal within the environs, compatible reconstruction shall occur.

 

6.       New additions, exterior alterations, infill construction, or related new construction should not destroy character-defining features or spatial relationships that characterize the environs of a property.  The new work shall be compatible with the historic materials, character-defining features, size, scale and proportion, and massing of the environs.

 

Identify, Retain, and Preserve

Like the treatments for historic properties, guidance for environs review begins with the identification of the character-defining features of the environs, its historic and current character, and what must be retained in order to preserve that character.  The character of a listed property's environs may be defined by form, exterior materials, such as masonry, wood, or metal; exterior features and elements, such as roofs, porches, windows, or construction details; as well as size, scale and proportion, massing, spatial relationships, etc. 

 

Protect, Maintain, Repair, and/or Replacement

After identifying those materials and features that are important, the effect of the proposed work on the environs of a listed property must be determined.  Work that generally involves the least degree of intervention is recommended.  Protecting historic features and materials through cyclical maintenance and repair lessens the need for replacement which is always the less preferable alternative and usually more costly.  Substitute materials can be installed, when the degree of deterioration requires replacement, provided the substitution is compatible with the environs.

 

SITE MODIFICATIONS

 

Recommended

Retain landscape features, such as trees on lot lines or along the street and open spaces, that characterize the environs of a listed property.  When necessary, replace diseased or storm-damaged vegetation with similar new plants.

 

Retain existing character-defining fences, retaining walls, exterior lighting, public utilities and amenities, etc.  When necessary, repair or replace deterioration to match original.'

 

When adding a fence, retaining wall, exterior lighting, public utilities and amenities, etc., use a design, materials, and locations that are compatible with and/or typical in the environs.

 

Retain existing streets and alleys, and the associated features such as curbs and curb cuts, when possible.

 

When existing streets, alleys, and features must be repaired or replaced, use materials and design that are compatible and/or match the existing.

 

Not Recommended

Removal of vegetation that characterizes the environs of a listed property.

Construction of new structures on planned or traditional open space that define the environs of the listed property.

 

Removal of existing character-defining fences, retaining walls, exterior lighting, public utilities and amenities, etc. from the environs of a listed property.

 

Replacement of existing (or installing new) character-defining fences, retaining walls, exterior lighting, public utilities and amenities, etc. with new features that are not compatible and/or consistent with the character of the environs.

 

Resurfacing, replacing, or adding new streets, alleys, and their associated features with materials and designs that are incompatible and or inconsistent with the environs.

 

In conducting Certified Local Government Reviews, the Commission has used a standard of review based on the designation of the property or its proximity to a designated property. 

 

D.         STAFF ANALYSIS

 

The City of Lawrence is requesting to make modifications to the intersection of 2nd and Locust Streets by widening the street.  Two different proposals have been made.  In Option 1, the intersection will be widened 12 feet on the east side and 6 feet on the west side.  Approximately 3,000 square feet of the Union Pacific Depot’s park area will be lost.  On the west side, most of the trees between the upper sidewalk in front of the buildings and the back of the curb would be lost due to construction activities and excavation.  In Option 2, the street would be widened 18 feet, on the east side only.  Dependant on the exact location of the retaining wall, fewer trees would be lost than in Option 1.  Approximately 5,100 square feet of the depot’s park area would be lost under this scenario.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Environs review begins with the identification of the character-defining features of the listed property.  Consideration should be given to the historic environs as well as the existing environs.    The date of the asphalt overlay of this historic brick street has not been determined, but it has existed for several years and is now part of the existing environs of the listed properties. The existing trees, sidewalks, garden area and railroad bridge are all character defining elements of the existing listed property. The park area of the depot was historically a freight area and not a landscaped garden.

 

While the loss of part the garden area will decrease the amount of green space for the depot, staff is of the opinion the reduction of this green area will have a lesser impact on the listed structure than the loss of the existing patterns (sidewalks, trees, space between street and structures) on the west side of 2nd Street.  The alterations to this intersection are proposed for vehicular and pedestrian safety.

 

Staff is of the opinion Option 2 will have less of an impact on the listed property and will not encroach upon, damage, or destroy the listed historic property or its environs.

 

E.         STAFF RECOMMENDATION

 

In accordance with the Standards and Guidelines for Evaluating the Effect of Projects on Environs  (1998) and the standard of evaluation, staff recommends the Commission approve the proposed project and make the determination that the proposed project does not encroach upon, damage, or destroy any listed historic property or its environs with the following conditions:

 

  1. Any historic material discovered in the improvement project must be brought to the attention of the Historic Resources Administrator for a discussion of options.

 

  1. Any changes to the approved project will be submitted to the Historic Resources Commission prior to the commencement of any related work.

 

3.      The contractor shall contact the Historic Resources Administrator (HRA) when demolition and new construction begins.  This will allow the HRA to document the existing street configuration.

4.      The contractor shall deliver any brick units found during project construction to the City storage facility at 11th and Haskell.  The brick units will be stored by the City of Lawrence to be used for future brick street repair.

5.      Any bricks found during construction shall be removed by the gentlest means possible so that the destruction of historic fabric is kept to a minimum.