HomeMy WebLinkAboutMemo - Read Before Packet - 7/8/2014 - Memorandum From Doug Ernst, Landmark Preservation Commission Vice Chair, Re: Work Session Item #2 � Poudre River Downtown Project Master PlanCity Clerk’s Office
City Hall
300 LaPorte Ave.
PO Box 580
Fort Collins, CO 80522
970.221.6515
970.472.3002 - fax
fcgov.com
DATE: July 8, 2014
TO: Mayor and City Councilmembers
FROM: The Fort Collins Landmark Preservation Commission (LPC), Doug Ernest
LPC Vice-Chair
RE: July 8, 2014 Work Session Item Number 2 -Poudre River Downtown Project
Master Plan
Dear Members of City Council and City Manager Darin Atteberry,
The Fort Collins Landmark Preservation Commission (LPC) recommends that the Department of
Natural Areas consider the following structures on the Poudre River for preservation. The listing
is derived from the report "Historic Structures along the Cache la Poudre River Corridor,
Mulberry Street to Shield Street," prepared by Ron Sladek of Tatanka Historical Associates Inc.
The first four items in the list are structures associated with irrigation and other local uses of the
river, while the final two items are railroad bridges. The LPC concurs with the recurring
statement in the report that the resources are "… not to be removed or altered until …. fully
documented and reviewed under the City's historic preservation code."
As chair of the LPC Mr. Sladek recused himself from the discussion on recommendations and
therefore this letter is signed by vice chair Doug Ernest.
The structures to be addressed are:
A. Unidentified Concrete Structure (north and west of Lincoln Avenue Bridge)
B. Coy Diversion Dam and Headgate
C. Lake Canal Diversion Dam & Headworks
D. Mason & Hottel Mill Race Headgate
E. Union Pacific Railroad Bridge (west of College Avenue)
F. Colorado & Southern Railroad Bridge [present Burlington Northern railroad]
The LPC also notes that the listing in the report is not meant to be all-inclusive; there may yet be
other structures along the river of historic interest.
Rationale for the preservation of the six structures mentioned above in a by separate document.
Cc: John Stokes, Karen McWilliams
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(Note: the comments below were taken verbatim from "Historic Structures Along the
Cache la Poudre River Corridor, Mulberry Street to Shield Street," although in some
cases sentences or wording have been reordered. Bolding was done by the Landmark
Preservation Commission to highlight recommended actions.)
UNIDENTIFIED CONCRETE STRUCTURE
Additional research may uncover more information on the background and use of this
unusual feature, and should be pursued. Because of its age, location, and known
characteristics, this historic resource should be considered potentially eligible for
local landmark designation. It should not be removed or otherwise altered until it is
fully documented and reviewed under the City’s historic preservation code. In addition to
the possibility that further archival research and interviews may reveal more about its
origins and use, the resource appears to be an excellent candidate for archaeological
investigation.
COY DIVERSION DAM, HEADGATE & DITCH
At this time, it seems unlikely that the Coy Diversion Dam, Headgate and Ditch
would be eligible for designation to the State or National Registers of Historic
Places. The dam appears to have been constructed much later than the
headgate and has experienced alterations that might disqualify it for local
landmarking. The ditch itself has been substantially altered and is clearly not
eligible. However, given the fact that the headgate was developed during the
1860s by one of the area’s most prominent pioneer families, it should be
considered potentially eligible for local landmark designation despite the fact that
it has most likely been rebuilt. (With the constant flow of water and ice, riparian
irrigation structures such as dams and headgates require periodic repair and even
reconstruction.) It should not be removed or otherwise altered until
it is fully documented and reviewed under the City’s historic preservation code.
LAKE CANAL DIVERSION DAM & HEADWORKS
Photographic evidence shows that the headgate structure, but not the entire headworks,
was rebuilt during the past twenty years. Subject to the constant forces of water and ice, it
is common for structures such as this to require regular maintenance and periodic
reconstruction. Despite this, the Lake Canal remains notable as a prominent early
irrigation ditch associated with Benjamin Eaton, and for its role in the early development
of the system of water appropriations in Colorado.
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Due to its significance and probable eligibility for landmark designation on some
level, any plans for alteration or removal of these features should involve careful
documentation of the structure and mitigation planning prior to any work being
completed. At minimum, the headworks should be left in place even if the
diversion dam is removed.
MASON & HOTTEL MILL RACE HEADGATE
Due to its significance as an important resource related to early agricultural
industrial production in Fort Collins, the headgate structure is likely to be eligible
for local landmark designation. Whether it might be eligible on the state or
national levels is currently unclear. However, any plans for alteration or removal
of the structure should involve careful documentation and mitigation planning
prior to any work being completed. Ideally, the headgate should be left in place
and interpreted for visitors along the Poudre River Trail.
UNION PACIFIC RAILROAD BRIDGE
Overall, the Union Pacific Railroad Bridge remains in its original location and appears to
have retained its original style, wood construction, and historic appearance. It is also a
rare example of a substantial open deck timber bridge, very few of which remain
standing in the region today.
For ninety years, this bridge has played a key role in the development of
agriculture and industry in the countryside north of Fort Collins. For this reason,
and despite the fact that some of its wooden members have been replaced over
the years, the bridge appears to be eligible for local landmarking. In addition, it
may be eligible for State and/or National Register designation. In any case, it is
important that the bridge be fully documented and preserved, if at all possible,
and that no attempts be made to have it demolished.
COLORADO & SOUTHERN RAILWAY (BNSF) BRIDGE
Additional research and analysis may conclude that the bridge exhibits a rare or
unique engineering design, one that represents a major development in bridge
construction. On the other hand, it may turn out to be unremarkable. For this
reason, it is recommended that additional work be completed to answer these
questions before any replacement or alteration of the bridge takes place.
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