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INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 9472
February 14, 2012
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council
Page 1 of 2
SUBJECT: LOCAL HISTORIC DESIGNATION PROCESS
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At the January 31 Pre -Council meeting, the City Council requested information on the process for
providing a local historic designation for all or portions of thWill Rogers Memorial Center. The
purpose of this report is to provide an overview of the processes that are used to designate and
preserve City-owned historic properties.
(1) Internal Review of City-Owned Historic Resources:Administrative Regulation A10
In2005, Administrative Regulation A10 (AR-A10) established a review process for City-sponsored
projects affecting City-owned historic resources. Historic resources are defined as any physical
features, sites, structures, and neighborhoods that are 45 years. AR-A10 requires
review of both exterior and interior changes to structures. Renovations, improvements or changes
to historic resources are required to be reviewed by the Historic Preservation Officer prior to any
action that might impact those resources.
(2) Local Historic Designation
An application for designation may be submitted by the owner of a property, or their duly authorized
agent, or by the City Manager. In lieu of an application, the Historic and Cultural Landmarks
Commission (HCLC) or the City Council may adopt a resolution cal
Officer to submit a nomination to the HCLC for consideration. Wis adopted, the
nomination will be considered at the next regularly scheduled HCLC meeting. Any property
nominated for local designation shall be considered in public hegs by the HCLC, Zoning
Commission, and the City Council. Upon designation of a site, st
recorded on the official zoning maps of the City. Designation is recorded in the official property
record of the county where the property is located. The HCLC reviews changes to all locally
designated properties. The HCLC only reviews significant exteri
(3) State Designation
Over 400 structures in the State of Texas are Recorded Texas HisRTHL).
Examples in the City of Fort Worth include the Blackstone Hotel, Thistle Hill, and the Texas and
Pacific Terminal Building. An application for designation as an RTHL must be submitted to the
Texas Historic Commission for review and determination of eligibility. Owners of structures
designated RTHL are required to purchase and display a historic
required to notify the State 60 days before any changes. Failur
and/or any unsympathetic changes may result in the loss of designation, and a civil penalty not to
exceed $1,000 may be assessed for each day of violation.
(4) Federal Designation
Upon request, the federal government can nominate a property as
District, National Register Property, or a National Landmark. Examples in Fort Worth include the
Flatiron Building, the Fort Worth Botanic Garden, and the Fort W
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS
INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 9472
February 14, 2012
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council
Page 2 of 2
SUBJECT: LOCAL HISTORIC DESIGNATION PROCESS
Examples of significant properties in the region similar to Will Rogers Memorial Center that have
been designated as historic resources include Cowtown Coliseum in Fort Worth (national and
state) and Fair Park in Dallas (national, state and local).
Master Plan Underway
On January 10, 2012, the City Council authorized an agreement wiahnfeld Hoffer Stanford to
complete a comprehensive Will Rogers Memorial Center Master Plan
Facilities Fort Worth, Inc. The scope of the project includes a campus wide evaluation as we
the review and conceptual design of recommended upgrades to existing facilities, offices and on-
site storage and logistics. The scope will consider the historical nature of the facilities. The study is
in progress with project completion anticipated in early Summer Staff recommends waiting
until the completion of the master plan activities prior to initiating specific historic designations on
the property.
If you have any questions about these levels of historic designation and review, please contact
Randle Harwood, Director of Planning and Development, at 817-392-6101.
Tom Higgins
City Manager
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS