Report to the Lawrence City Commission
Historic District Designation for the Johnson Block Historic District
November 15, 2016
The Lawrence Historic Resources Commission (HRC) respectfully submits for review and consideration L-16-00269: A Historic District nomination for the properties located at 801, 805, 809, 815, 817, 823, 825, 829, 833, 839, and 845 Missouri Street, and 800, 804, 806, 818, 820, 824, 828, 832, 838, 844, and 846 Arkansas Street, on the Lawrence Register of Historic Places as the Johnson Block Historic District. The nomination of the Johnson Block Historic District to the Lawrence Register of Historic Places was made with the consent of nine (9) property owners of record which is greater than the 20% owners of record as prescribed by Chapter 22-402(A). The nomination is supported by 68% of the property owners that encompass 88% of the total area within the proposed historic district. In addition, the proposed district has been determined potentially eligible for the National Register of Historic Places by the State Historic Preservation Office. This determination is the first step to listing the district in the National Register.
HRC Resolution No. 2016-10 recommends the City Commission designate at 801, 805, 809, 815, 817, 823, 825, 829, 833, 839, and 845 Missouri Street, and 800, 804, 806, 818, 820, 824, 828, 832, 838, 844, and 846 Arkansas Street, the Johnson Block Historic District, as a historic district on the Lawrence Register of Historic Places.
C. CHAPTER 22 REPORT REQUIREMENTS (22-404.2(B))
(1) Explanation of the significance or lack of significance of the nominated landmark or historic district as it relates to the criteria for designation as set forth in section 22-403;
The Johnson Block is significant for its architecture and for its association with the growth and development of the City of Lawrence. The district meets criteria 1 and 6 as set forth in section 22-403.
(2) Explanation of the integrity or lack of integrity of the nominated landmark or historic district;
The district maintains significant integrity of location, design, materials, and workmanship that make it worthy of preservation.
(3) In the case of a nominated landmark found to meet the criteria for designation:
(A) The significant exterior architectural features of the nominated landmark that should be protected;
Roof forms, eaves, returns, and materials; porches including forms, materials, columns, pedestals, and balustrades; chimneys including placement, form, and materials; windows including size, material, location, and surrounds; historic exterior cladding; decorative shingles, brackets, quoins, lintels, and water tables; visible historic foundation material or cladding; and bay projections.
(B) The types of construction, alteration, demolition, and removal, other than those requiring a building or demolition permit that cannot be undertaken without obtaining a certificate of appropriateness.
Alteration or removal of: roof eaves, returns, or materials; porches including forms, materials, columns, pedestals, or balustrades; chimneys including placement, form, or materials; windows including size, material, location, or surrounds; historic exterior cladding; decorative shingles, brackets, quoins, lintels, or water tables; visible historic foundation material or cladding; and bay projections should require a Certificate of Appropriateness.
(4) Proposed design guidelines for applying the criteria for review of certificates of appropriateness to the nominated landmark or historic district.
U.S. Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation, published in 1990, and any future amendments, in addition to any criteria specified by Chapter 22 of the Code of the City of Lawrence, Kansas.
The HRC has also adopted An Analysis of the Environs for the Johnson Block Historic District, and delineated how environs review will be conducted in relation to the listed property. The analysis is attached with the delineation of environs areas.
(5) The relationship of the nominated landmark or historic district to the on-going effort of the commission to identify and nominate all potential areas and structures that meet the criteria for designation.
A primary goal of the HRC is to build a register of properties which shows the diversity and growth of Lawrence since its inception. The nomination of this property is another step toward registering a wide variety of historic properties which together present a visual history of Lawrence’s past. The goal of the Lawrence Register of Historic Places is to represent all socioeconomic strata; businesses and industries which illustrate the diversity that has been prevalent in Lawrence since its inception.
(6) A map showing the location of the nominated landmark. (Attached)
2. A map showing the location of the Johnson Block Historic District
3. A map showing the contributing and non-contributing structures in the district
5. Environs Definition and Map
6. Photos
7. HRC Action Summary for this item