Seattle (Wash.). Office of Urban Conservation

The Office of Urban Conservation was created in 1975 as part of the Dept. of Community Development (DCD). It was founded in an era of citizen protests against a proposed urban renewal program that would have demolished Pioneer Square and Pike Place Market. The office's mandate was to coordinate Seattle's historic preservation programs and administer the city's landmark boards and historic districts. When the DCD was abolished in 1992, the office became the Historic Preservation Program in the Dept. of Neighborhoods.

From the description of Office of Urban Conservation subject files, 1974-1997. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 166428965

The Office of Urban Conservation was created in 1975 as part of the Department of Community Development (DCD). It was founded in an era of citizen protests against a proposed urban renewal program that would have demolished Pioneer Square and Pike Place Market. The office’s mandate was to coordinate Seattle’s historic preservation programs and administer the city’s landmark boards and historic districts. When DCD was abolished in 1992, the office became the Historic Preservation Program in the Department of Neighborhoods.

From the guide to the Office of Urban Conservation Subject Files, 1974-1999, (City of Seattle Seattle Municipal Archives)

The Office of Urban Conservation was created in 1975 as part of the Dept. of Community Development (DCD). It was founded in an era of citizen protests against a proposed urban renewal program that would have demolished Pioneer Square and Pike Place Market. The office's mandate was to coordinate Seattle's historic preservation programs and administer the city's landmark boards and historic districts. When DCD was abolished in 1992, the office became the Historic Preservation Program in the Dept. of Neighborhoods. Pike Place Market was established in 1907 to give local farmers a venue in which to sell their produce. It thrived for decades, but began to decline during World War II due to the effects of a major fire and the internment of Japanese American farmers. In the 1960s, urban renewal plans aimed to demolish the market and replace it with office towers and apartments. Citizen opposition, led by architect Victor Steinbrueck, managed to derail the scheme. A 1971 ballot measure sponsored by a group called Friends of the Market was passed, leading to the market's preservation as part of a Market Historical District and listing on the National Register. Today the market is the oldest continuously operating public market in the U.S., as well as the most historically authentic. The Office of Urban Conservation, and later the Historic Preservation Program, provided staffing to the Pike Place Market Historical Commission.

From the description of Pike Place Market Historical District records, 1971-1989. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 166428860

The Office of Urban Conservation was created in 1975 as part of the Department of Community Development (DCD). It was founded in an era of citizen protests against a proposed urban renewal program that would have demolished Pioneer Square and Pike Place Market. The office’s mandate was to coordinate Seattle’s historic preservation programs and administer the city’s landmark boards and historic districts. When DCD was abolished in 1992, the office became the Historic Preservation Program in the Department of Neighborhoods.

When it incorporated in 1890, the city of Ballard had 1,636 residents. It boasted of being “the shingle capital of the world,” and its timber and fishing jobs drew many new residents, including many immigrants from Scandinavia. By 1900, its population of 4,568 made it the seventh largest city in Washington, and the town continued to boom, growing to 17,000 by 1907. Growth was quickly overwhelming the city’s ability to provide services, particularly a safe water supply, and Ballard’s citizens were increasingly considering asking Seattle to annex their town. The plan was voted down in 1905, but 15 months later annexation won out, and the town officially became part of Seattle on May 29, 1907. On that day, Ballard citizens showed their mixed feelings about the change by draping their city hall with black crepe and flying the flag at half mast.

The Ballard Avenue Landmark District was created by the Seattle City Council in 1976. Ballard Avenue was the core of the area’s central business district for decades. When Market Street became the main arterial, Ballard Avenue’s development effectively came to a standstill, preserving its character as a small-town main street with buildings from the 1890s to 1940s, along with the occasional hitching post. The Office of Urban Conservation, and later the Historic Preservation Program, provided staffing to the Ballard Avenue Landmark District Board.

From the guide to the Ballard Avenue Landmark District Records, 1975-2012, (City of Seattle Seattle Municipal Archives)

The Office of Urban Conservation was created in 1975 as part of the Department of Community Development (DCD). It was founded in an era of citizen protests against a proposed urban renewal program that would have demolished Pioneer Square and Pike Place Market. The office’s mandate was to coordinate Seattle’s historic preservation programs and administer the city’s landmark boards and historic districts. When DCD was abolished in 1992, the office became the Historic Preservation Program in the Department of Neighborhoods.

Pike Place Market was established in 1907 to give local farmers a venue in which to sell their produce. It thrived for decades, but began to decline during World War II due to the effects of a major fire and the internment of Japanese American farmers. In the 1960s, urban renewal plans aimed to demolish the market and replace it with office towers and apartments. Citizen opposition, led by architect Victor Steinbrueck, managed to derail the scheme. A 1971 ballot measure sponsored by a group called Friends of the Market was passed, leading to the market’s preservation as part of a Market Historical District and listing on the National Register. Today the market is the oldest continuously operating public market in the United States, as well as the most historically authentic. The Office of Urban Conservation, and later the Historic Preservation Program, provided staffing to the Pike Place Market Historical Commission.

From the guide to the Pike Place Market Historical District Records, 1971-2012, (City of Seattle Seattle Municipal Archives)

The Office of Urban Conservation was created in 1975 as part of the Department of Community Development (DCD). It was founded in an era of citizen protests against a proposed urban renewal program that would have demolished Pioneer Square and Pike Place Market. The office’s mandate was to coordinate Seattle’s historic preservation programs and administer the city’s landmark boards and historic districts. When DCD was abolished in 1992, the office became the Historic Preservation Program in the Department of Neighborhoods.

From 1852 onward, Pioneer Square was the center of Seattle’s commercial activity. The Great Fire of 1889 destroyed 25 blocks of downtown, but the city immediately began rebuilding, using fire-resistant stone and brick. The neighborhood flourished during the Alaska gold rush, but as the central business core began to move northward, Pioneer Square became host to rough taverns and seedy hotels. A city plan to raze the district in the 1960s generated a grass roots preservation movement led by architects Ralph Anderson and Victor Steinbrueck. In 1970 they succeeded in having the neighborhood designated as a national historic district as well as Seattle’s first preservation district.

The Pioneer Square Historic Preservation Board was instituted in 1971, and the Pioneer Square Special Review District Board in 1974. The two boards began holding joint meetings in October 1979, and continued this practice until September 1981 when they were consolidated as the Pioneer Square Preservation Board. The Office of Urban Conservation, and later the Historic Preservation Program, provided staffing to the boards. The Architectural Review Committee was a Board subcommittee.

From the guide to the Pioneer Square Preservation District Records, 1970-2002, (City of Seattle Seattle Municipal Archives)

The Office of Urban Conservation was created in 1975 as part of the Department of Community Development (DCD). It was founded in an era of citizen protests against a proposed urban renewal program that would have demolished Pioneer Square and Pike Place Market. The office’s mandate was to coordinate Seattle’s historic preservation programs and administer the city’s landmark boards and historic districts. When DCD was abolished in 1992, the office became the Historic Preservation Program in the Department of Neighborhoods.

The International Special Review District was created by the City Council in 1973 in order to preserve the neighborhood’s unique Asian-American character. It was the only area in the continental United States where Japanese, Chinese, Filipinos, Vietnamese, and African Americans combined to build one neighborhood. The District contains early 20th-century hotels and commercial buildings, and part of the area is listed on the National Register. One focus of the Board in the 1970s was to encourage development of housing and pedestrian-friendly businesses, which was of special concern with the construction of the Kingdome just west of the neighborhood. The Office of Urban Conservation, and later the Historic Preservation Program, provided staffing to the board.

From the guide to the International Special Review District Records, 1973-2002, (City of Seattle Seattle Municipal Archives)

The Office of Urban Conservation was created in 1975 as part of the Department of Community Development (DCD). It was founded in an era of citizen protests against a proposed urban renewal program that would have demolished Pioneer Square and Pike Place Market. The office’s mandate was to coordinate Seattle’s historic preservation programs and administer the city’s landmark boards and historic districts. When DCD was abolished in 1992, the historic preservation program was moved to the Department of Neighborhoods.

The Landmarks Preservation Board was established in 1973 with the mission of preserving structures of historical importance. Its eleven members are appointed by the Mayor and approved by the City Council. The Board must include two architects, two historians, one member of the City Planning Commission, one structural engineer, and one person each representing the fields of finance and real estate management. The other three members have no required occupation or affiliation, although all Board appointees are expected to have an interest in historic preservation.

From the guide to the Landmarks Preservation Board Records, 1891-2002, 1968-2002, (City of Seattle Seattle Municipal Archives)