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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL - AGENDA ITEM - 09/07/2004 - SECOND READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 133, 2004, DESIGNA ITEM NUMBER: 12 AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY DATE: September7, 2004 FORT COLLINS CITY COUNCIL STAFF: Karen McWilliams SUBJECT Second Reading of Ordinance No. 133, 2004, Designating the Alpert Building as a Fort Collins Landmark Pursuant to Chapter 14 of the City Code. RECOMMENDATION Staff and the Landmark Preservation Commission and staff recommend adoption of the Ordinance on Second Reading. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The owner of the property, the Walter J. Frick Trust, is initiating this request for Fort Collins Landmark designation for the Alpert Building. The Alpert Building retains excellent physical integrity and is judged to be both architecturally and historically significant under Fort Collins Landmark Standards (1), (2), and (3). This Ordinance was adopted 6-0 (Councilmember Kastein was absent) on First Reading on August 17, 2004. ORDINANCE NO. 133, 2004 OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS DESIGNATING THE ALPERT BUILDING, 140-142 SOUTH COLLEGE AVENUE, FORT COLLINS, COLORADO, AS A FORT COLLINS LANDMARK PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 14 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 14-2 of the City Code, the City Council has established a public policy encouraging the protection, enhancement and perpetuation of landmarks within the City; and WHEREAS, by Resolution dated July 28, 2004 the Landmark Preservation Commission (the "Commission") has determined that the Alpert Building has individual significance to Fort Collins under Landmark Designation Standards (1), (2) and (3), as an excellent manifestation of early twentieth century commercial architecture in Fort Collins; as a noteworthy example of the commercial architectural design of Fort Collins' most notable architect, Montezuma Fuller, and one of Fuller's last designs before his death; for its historical role in the development of the flourishing commercial district which grew along the College Avenue corridor, displacing Old Town as the commercial center; and for its association with Joseph I. Alpert, a German from Russia immigrant who became a highly regarded Fort Collins businessman; and WHEREAS, the Commission has further determined that said property meets the criteria of a landmark as set forth in Section 14-5 of the Code and is eligible for designation as a landmark, and has recommended to the City Council that said property be designated by the City Council as a landmark; and WHEREAS, the owner of the property has consented to such landmark designation; and WHEREAS, such landmark designation will preserve the property's significance to the community; and WHEREAS, the City Council has reviewed the recommendation of the Commission and desires to approve such recommendation and designate said property as a landmark. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS as follows: Section 1. That the property, historically known as the Alpert Building, located in the City of Fort Collins, Latimer County, Colorado, described as follows, to wit: Lot 17, Block 121, City of Fort Collins also known as 140-142 South College Avenue is hereby designated as a Fort Collins landmark pursuant to Chapter 14 of the Code of the City of Fort Collins, provided, however, that the single-story brick storage building, located at the rear of this property and sharing a common wall with the adjoining building at 146 South College Avenue is not included in this designation. Section 2. That the Secretary of the Interior's standards and guidelines for the treatment of historic properties will serve as the standards by which alterations, additions and other changes to the buildings and structures located upon the above described property will be reviewed for compliance with Chapter 14, Article III, of the Code of the City of Fort Collins. Introduced, considered favorably on first reading, and ordered published this 17th day of August, A.D. 2004, and to be presented for final passage on the 7th day of September, A.D. 2004. Mayor ATTEST: City Clerk Passed and adopted on final reading this 7th day of September, A.D. 2004. Mayor ATTEST: City Clerk ITEM NUMBER: 16 AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY DATE: August17, 2004 FORT COLLINS CITY COUNCIL STAFF: Karen McWilliams SUBJECT First Reading of Ordinance No. 133, 2004, Designating the Alpert Building as a Fort Collins Landmark Pursuant to Chapter 14 of the City Code. t RECOMMENDATION Staff and the Landmark Preservation Commission and staff recommend adoption of the Ordinance on First Reading. At a public hearing held on July 28, 2004, the Landmark Preservation Commission voted unanimously to recommend designation of this property as a landmark for its historical and architectural significance to Fort Collins. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY AV ML The owner of the property, the alter J. VickTsp1pert t)Bui this request for Fort Collins Landmark designation for the Al B ' e 'ng retains excellent physical integrity and is judged to be both ar itec significant under Fort Collins Landmark Standards (1), (2), and (3). It is a fine example of early twentieth century commercial architecture in Fort Collins. It is also a noteworthy example of the commercial architectural design of Fort Collins' most notable architect,Montezuma Fuller. Increasing its significance even further, the Alpert Building was one of Fuller's final designs before his death. The building is also historically important for its role in the development of the flourishing commercial district which grew along the College Avenue corridor, displacing Old Town as the commercial center. Finally, the property is significant for its association with Joseph I.Alpert,the building's namesake. Joseph Alpert was a German from Russt'aAicwnigrA wh ybuig, ly regarded Fort Collins businessman. The property contains an historic, t b ragelocated at the rear of this property and sharing a common wall with the adjoining building at 146 South College Avenue. This brick storage building is slated for redevelopment,and is not a part of these designation proceedings. BACKGROUND The original construction date for the Alpert Building is unclear. Larimer County Assessor's records provide 1915 as the date of construction. However, Sanborn maps show that a one story building with a similar footprint occupied this lot as early as 1906. This single-story building also appears on the December 1917 Sanborn map. A second story was added on at an unknown time. August 17, 2004 -2. Item No. 16 In 1924-1925,the building was remodeled and a third story added. Designed by Montezuma Fuller, the plans were executed by Orton Davis,a well-known Fort Collins builder,reportedly for$11,000. Joseph I. Alpert was born on December 15, 1877 at Odessa,Russia. When he was six,his parents immigrated to the United States, settling in Cincinnati. Joseph grew up there, and in 1898,married Fannie Benjamin. The couple moved from Cincinnati to Fort Collins in 1903, where Joseph began a shoemaking and shoe repair business. Originally located at 143 North College, the business was known as the Eastern Shoe House. By 1913, Alpert had added general merchandise and clothing to his inventory, although shoes remained his staple. In 1917, the business relocated to 140-142 South College Avenue, and was re h c T stablishment remained in operation under this same name f early ears, t it 19 1pert leased additional retail space in the Alpert Block to a s ession busi s mcludi a dry goods grocer, a caf€, a dentist, insurance agents, clothe I u f the f us clothier National Woolen Mills. Alpert eventually owned or operated several businesses in Fort Collins,including a real estate venture. In 1924-25,Alpert hired notable architect Montezuma Fuller to remodel this building. Montezuma Fuller is credited with designing numerous dwellings, business blocks, churches, and institutional buildings in Fort Collins during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Fuller's alterations included renovating the fagade, and adding a third story to the existing structure. The Alpert Building was one of Fuller's final desi s,as Montezuma Fuller passed away in the spring of 1925. Since its remodel,the Alpert Bloc ass n ry e i t a f a rations. The basement was also remodeled in 1925, providin additio retai p he s ell accessing this basement level is offset slightly to the north d fea u s w ble step nd a brass handrail and guard rails. The north side storefront contai ICU cessm a stairw y o the upper stories as well as the ground-floor shop. Additional,unspecified remodeling occurred in 1926,and in 1930,a balcony underwent undetermined alterations or repairs. Of special architectural and historical significance are two notable extant features. These are the flag pole, centrally located on the roof in a 1920s photograph, and present today, and the two tiled entries. Both entries to the building are paved with small beige tiles,but the north entry is especially interesting,as it contains two small black and white terrazzo panels,one reading"Alpert Building," and the other"Electric Shoe Shop."