How are historic landmarks designated in Louisville? Everything to know
Editor's note: This story has been edited for clarity on certain rules and designations regarding historic monuments in Louisville.
Louisville is home to dozens of landmarks, but how does the city decide what is deserving of the honor?
Designations made by the Metro Historic Landmarks and Preservation Districts Commission are different than those made by the Kentucky Historical Society through the Historical Marker Program, but more than 90 landmarks are designated as historic in Louisville, including library branches, Louisville Metro buildings and even the Belle of Louisville.
Most people, however, only become aware of them when a meaningful area or building in the community is in danger of redevelopment or demolition.
Savannah Darr, historic preservation officer for Louisville Metro Government, said some residents have a common misconception about the Metro Historic Landmarks and Preservation Districts Commission's process for preserving landmarks, believing the commission is against repurposing buildings or has made the process too expensive.
"That's really not true because sometimes staying the same is the death of a building and we want to see people in these buildings," she said. "We don't expect buildings to be held as they are in perpetuity. ... Preservation is for the people. If you're preserving a building and no one is using it [or] no one wants to use it, then why are you preserving it?"
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Here is everything you need to know about historic landmarks in Louisville:
What entity designates historic landmarks in Louisville?
The commission that designates historic landmarks in Louisville is the Metro Historic Landmarks and Preservation Districts Commission, Darr said.
How are historic buildings designated in Louisville?
Darr said there are three ways to start the process in which a landmarks could get designated as historical: a resolution filed by a Metro Council member, by owner request or through a petition with 200 or more signatures.
When dealing with a petition, the commission would first verify it after its initial filing, including whether the petitioning person is a Jefferson County resident. The commission then has an informative pre-hearing conference to let the owner of the building know about the process that will ensue.
Darr said the commission has 30 days to write a report analyzing the landmark and the designation criteria. That document is uploaded to the commission's website and is reviewed by the Technical Review Committee, a subcommittee within the commission, which will decide if the landmark will move forward to the public hearings.
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Can Metro Council reverse a historic building designation?
Yes. Metro Council can review and reverse a designation made by the Landmarks Commission.
Are historical landmarks strictly buildings?
No. Public works of art can also be designated as historical landmarks.
Darr said the commission is currently reviewing resolutions passed by Councilwoman Jennifer Chappell regarding the designation process of three different landmarks, including the Ruff Memorial Wheelmen's Bench by sculptor Enid Yandell, which would be the first piece of public art to receive the designation, if approved.
She said there are other existing works, including the Castleman statue, which are within preservation districts.
What are the local preservation districts?
"Preservation districts pretty much take in the entire neighborhood," Steve Wiser, the president of the Louisville Historical League, said.
He said the commission then decides if the building can be modified or demolished.
The following Louisville neighborhoods are considered preservation districts:
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Can local landmarks also be recognized nationally?
Yes. Landmarks can be recognized by the Metro Historic Landmarks and Preservation Districts Commission and the National Register of Historic Places through similar processes, Darr said, though there are differences to both designations.
With the national designation, unless the landmark receives federal money, it is not protected from potential demolition, but the local commission can still offer some shielding for local landmarks by reviewing any changes a person wants to make to them.
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This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: How do historic landmarks get designated in Louisville? What to know
