HomeMy WebLinkAboutA034 - Resolution recommending the proposed Chautauqua Park and Ridgewood Historic District for the National Register of Historic PlacesITEM #:37
DATE:09-23-25
DEPT:P&H
SUBJECT:NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES ELIGIBILITY FOR
PROPOSED CHAUTAUQUA PARK AND RIDGEWOOD HISTORIC DISTRICT
COUNCIL ACTION FORM
BACKGROUND:
In 2024, the City of Ames received a grant to partially fund preparation of a National Register
of Historic Places Nomination for the proposed Chautauqua Park and Ridgewood Historic
District. The City's consultant, NHPA Consultants LLC, has completed the requisite
requirements for submitting a nomination to the state for approval.
The State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) has accepted the nomination for consideration
of approval at an upcoming meeting in October. Prior to state approval, the City Council
must consider the nomination and determine if Council supports the nomination as
being eligible for the National Register.
The proposed Chautauqua Park and Ridgewood Historic District is generally located between
13th Street on the north and 6th Street on the south, and between Brookside Park as the west
boundary and the Union Pacific railroad right-of-way as the east boundary (see Attachment A
– Location Map). A Summary of the proposed district is included in Attachment B –
Summary Paragraph.
A copy of the National Register Nomination is available for review at the Ames Public Library,
the City of Ames Planning & Housing Department at City Hall (515 Clark Avenue), and here
on the City of Ames website.
As a Certified Local Government (CLG), the Historic Preservation Commission and the City
Council have a responsibility to review National Register nominations of any property that lies
within the boundaries of the City. After allowing for public comment, the Commission and
the City Council are to decide if the proposed historic district meets the National
Register Criteria that have been selected by the preparer of the National Register
Nomination and make a recommendation to the State Nominations Review Committee
(SNRC) as to whether the proposed historic district should be listed in the National
Register of Historic Places.
There are four Criteria for evaluating the eligibility of properties for listing on the National
Register of Historic Places (see Attachment D – Excerpts of National Register Bulletin No. 15).
The Consultant preparing the nomination has selected “Criterion C,” which are those
properties that embody the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or method of
construction, or represents the work of a master, or possesses high artistic values, or
represents a significant and distinguishable entity whose components lack individual
distinction.
Benefits of listing include formal recognition of the significance of a property in
American history; access to federal, state and nonprofit grants and preservation
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incentives; and assistance with preservation from federal and state agencies. Listing
does not place any restrictions on what an owner may do with their property up to and
including demolition.
The completed nomination includes a “Statement of Significance Summary Paragraph” and a
“Narrative Statement of Significance” of the proposed Chautauqua Park and Ridgewood
Historic District (see Attachment C – Statement of Significance).
All owners of property within the proposed Historic District were notified of and invited to the
Historic Preservation Commission meeting, on September 8, to provide comments and ask
questions concerning the nomination.
The City's Historic Preservation Commission met on September 8, 2025, to review the
nomination and receive public comment. The Consultant that prepared the nomination was
available by phone to answer questions during the discussion at the meeting. There were
twelve members of the public present at the meeting. The twelve people present are owners of
eight properties in the proposed Historic District. Questions from the public were asked
concerning what restrictions would apply to their properties if the Historic District is listed on
the National Register. The Consultant responded to their questions.
The Historic Preservation Commission voted 5-0 to find that Chautauqua Park and
Ridgewood Historic District meets "Criterion C" and recommended National Register
eligibility to the State Nominations Review Committee.
ALTERNATIVES:
1. Approve a motion directing the Mayor to sign the Certified Local Government National
Register Nomination Evaluation Form finding that the nomination of the Chautauqua
Park and Ridgewood Historic District to the National Register of Historic Places meets
National Register Significance "Criterion C" and recommends National Register eligibility
to the State Nominations Review Committee.
2. Approve a motion directing the Mayor to sign the Certified Local Government National
Register Nomination Evaluation Form finding that the nomination of the Chautauqua
Park and Ridgewood Historic District to the National Register of Historic Places does not
meet National Register Significance "Criterion C" and recommends National Register
ineligibility to the State Nominations Review Committee.
3. Defer Action on this request and refer it back to City staff for additional information.
CITY MANAGER'S RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Information provided in the application provides the basis for a determination of
significance according to "Criterion C" for its embodiment of distinctive characteristics
of early to mid-20th century residential architecture in Ames.
Listing of the Historic District on the National Register does not establish local historic
district status or require conformance to the local Design Standards, or Design
Guidelines.
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The State Nominations Review Committee (SNRC) will consider the nomination and the
recommendations of the Historic Preservation Commission and the City Council at their
meeting on October 10, 2025. Therefore, it is the recommendation of the City Manager that
the City Council adopt Alternative 1.
ATTACHMENT(S):
Attachment A-Location Map.pdf
Attachment B-Summary Paragraph.pdf
Attachment C-Statement of Significance-Page 1.pdf
Attachment C-Statement of Significance-Page 2.pdf
Attachment C-Statement of Significance-Page 3.pdf
Attachment D-Excerpt of National Register Bulletin No. 15-Pg 1.pdf
Attachment D-Excerpt of National Register Bulletin No. 15-Pg 2.pdf
Attachment D-Excerpt of National Register Bulletin No. 15-Pg 3.pdf
Attachment D-Excerpt of National Register Bulletin No. 15-Pg 4.pdf
Attachment D-Excerpt of National Register Bulletin No. 15-Pg 5.pdf
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Attachment A
Location Map
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Attachment B
Summary Paragraph
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Attachment C
Statement of Significance
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Attachment C
Statement of Significance – Page 2
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Attachment C
Statement of Significance – Page 3
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Attachment D
Excerpt of National Register Bulletin No. 15 (Pg. 1)
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Attachment D
Excerpt of National Register Bulletin No. 15 (Pg. 2)
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Attachment D
Excerpt of National Register Bulletin No. 15 (Pg. 3)
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Attachment D
Excerpt of National Register Bulletin No. 15 (Pg. 4)
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Attachment D
Excerpt of National Register Bulletin No. 15 (Pg. 5)
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