On July 23rd, 2009 the City welcomed internationally known speaker Donovan Rypkema to Steamboat Springs to talk about what he refers to as the "big three" issues regarding historic preservation: Property Rights, Property Values and Sustainability.
The full audio of Mr. Rypkema's speech is available here: Mr. Rypkema's Speech
The City of Steamboat Springs Historic Preservation Program consists of:
- A newly established Steamboat Springs Register of Historic Places. Buildings listed on this register are eligible for state income tax credits and other incentives for preservation and rehabilitation. There are three categories for listing on this Historic Register (see attached application forms): Local Landmarks, Historic Resources and Historic Districts.
- Review of planning and development permit projects for buildings eligible to an historic register (local, state or national). This review is carried out by the Historic Preservation Commission as a part of the City's planning and development review process.
- Facilitation of financial and other incentives that exist to assist property owners with preservation and restoration of historic buildings and structures.
- Conducting historic and architectural inventories (surveys) of properties in residential and commercial neighborhoods of old town Steamboat Springs. This information can be used by property owners to determine potential eligibility for historic designation and the incentives that this designation can bring. See a map of inventoried properties here.
- Providing basic technical assistance and information on historic preservation and the City's historic preservation program to property owners.
- Education and Outreach: The City's Historic Preservation Division guides regular historic walking and bike tours in the summer and recently published Steam Rails to Ski Trails, An Architural Walking Tour of Downtown Steamboat Springs, which was funded in part by a Preserve America grant.
The City first established an Historic Preservation program in 1997 when it incorporated historic preservation review into its planning and development permit process for historic commercial properties. In 1999, the City strengthened its historic preservation program by appointing the Steamboat Springs Historic Preservation Advisory Commission and adopting a preservation ordinance which provides additional review for demolition and exterior alterations to residential and commercial historic structures. In the summer of 1999 the City became a Certified Local Government. The City adopted the Design Guidelines in 2001 that help guide old town property owners with planning an appropriate addition, alteration, or new construction. The Design Standards are for commercial buildings on Oak and Lincoln Streets and Yampa Avenue.
In February 2009, the Steamboat Springs City Council adopted a new Historic Preservation Ordinance to accomplish the following goals:
http://steamboatsprings.net/documents/adopted_historic_preservation_ordi...
- Preserve, protect, enhance, and perpetuate the exteriors of those buildings, structures, objects, sites and districts that reflect outstanding elements of the City's cultural, artistic, social, economic, political, architectural, historic or other heritage.
- Stabilize or improve aesthetic and economic vitality and values of such buildings, structures, objects, sites and districts.
- Enhance the visual character of the City by encouraging new design and construction that complements the City's historic buidings, structures, objects, sites and districts.
- Promote the use of outstanding historical or architectural buildings, structures, objects, sites and districts for the education, stimulation and welfare of the people and the visitors to the City.
- Conserve valuable material and energy resources by the ongoing use and maintenance of the existing built environment.
- Increase the economic benefits of historic preservation to the City and its inhabitants.
- Protect the property values within the City; and
- Promote and encourage continued private ownership and use of such buildings, structures, objects, sites or districts now so owned and used, to the extent that the objectives listed above can be attained under such a policy.
For more information, visit our Historic Preservation FAQ.
Or go to the following links to access other organizations:
Colorado Historical Society's Office of Archaeology & Historic Preservation
Colorado Preservation, Inc.
Historic Routt County!
National Parks Service
National Trust for Historic Preservation
Tread of Pioneers Museum
