Title
Presentation of Historic Preservation Awards
Recommended Action
Heritage Commission Recommendation:
Honor Lauren Danner and the owners and tenants of the Wildwood Center with the 2015 Historic Preservation Awards.
City Manager Recommendation:
Recognize Lauren Danner and the owners and tenants of the Wildwood Center with the 2015 Historic Preservation Awards, as recommended by the Olympia Heritage Commission.
Report
Issue:
The Olympia Heritage Commission recommends Lauren Danner and the owners and tenants of the Wildwood Center for the annual Historic Preservation Awards and will present the awards at tonight's City Council meeting.
Staff Contact:
Michelle Sadlier, Historic Preservation Officer, Community Planning & Development, 360.753.8031
Presenter(s):
Holly Davies, Chair of the Olympia Heritage Commission
Notified: Award Recipients Lauren Danner, the Shattuck Family, and business owners of Lucky Lunchbox, Olympia Coffee Roasting, Spud's Produce Market, and Vic's Pizzeria
Background and Analysis:
As part of the nationally-celebrated Historic Preservation Month in May, the Heritage Commission reviews nominations and selects one or more recipients for its annual Historic Preservation Award. This award honors the people and projects which demonstrate excellence in historic preservation in Olympia. Each year, the Olympia City Council honors the recipient(s) of the award at one of its regularly scheduled meetings. This year, the Olympia Heritage Commission has selected a number of recipients to receive two Historic Preservation Awards:
1) Lauren Danner, for her initiative and scholarship in nominating her home as the first-ever mid-century residence proposed for the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) (Attachment 1) - Ms. Danner put forward her architect-designed 1950 home at 2932 Maringo Road SE for nomination for the NRHP after conducting extensive research. Her 80-page application for the Trueman and Virginia Schmidt House so impressed Heritage Commissioners that they wanted to recognize her with this award for her scholarly approach as well as her commitment to having this local landmark recognized at the highest level. Her house is due to be considered for the NRHP at the Washington State Advisory Council on Historic Preservation at their May 20, 2015 meeting. The house will also be considered for the Olympia Heritage Register at the May 27, 2015 meeting of the Heritage Commission.
2) The Wildwood Center's Owners and Tenants - the Shattuck Family, Lucky Lunchbox, Olympia Coffee Roasting, Spud's Produce Market, and Vic's Pizzeria - for preserving and reinvigorating this historic, commercial property as a vital neighborhood center (Attachment 2) - The Shattuck family has owned this 1943 Art Moderne building since 1980. Their thoughtful stewardship has maintained this property largely as built and has cultivated an environment where local businesses can succeed. The four current businesses located in the Wildwood Center have brought real life into this well cared-for building. As the nomination form states, "It isn't enough to preserve a building as a historic relic. To sustain its place in the future of the city, it must be a vital part of the larger community. These tenants saw the potential and synergy in locating in a historic building in a neighborhood with pedestrian and transit activity. And in doing so they help to secure the future of this one of a kind mid-century building."
These Olympians exemplify how living and doing business in our unique historic buildings brings life to our community and helps give our City the special character tha makes Olympia special.