WHAT WE’VE LOST
Historic preservation is essential
“Landmark decisions — Denver should toughen rules on historic designations ...” Sept. 8 commentary
Nearly 30 years ago, I was part of the effort to save Zeckendorf Plaza, designed by I.M. Pei and the centerpiece of downtown Denver. Despite our best efforts, the City Council could not come to a majority vote and the developer refused alternative paths. I know of few Denverites who don’t regret that loss.
At issue today is whether the community should continue to have some say about our city’s most important places. While the council ultimately did not vote on the Tom’s Diner designation, the discussion about its future, about the character of Colfax and about the kind of design our city wants would never have happened without the process of designation. The point of that conversation was not the designation, it was the process, and because of that process, Tom’s and buildings like it may still have a chance at a win-win outcome. Councilwoman Kendra Black’s amendments don’t make things more fair; they chill the dialogue altogether.
I am fearful that the newly proposed amendments create insurmountable barriers, setting up hurdles that even the Lower Downtown Historic District couldn’t have jumped when it was created in 1988, with more than half the property owners in opposition.
Even if a designation application doesn’t move forward, it is a tool to get the parties to negotiate and compromise. The work Historic Denver and others have done on the recent Landmark Ordinance Task Force ensures that this negotiation is still possible, and that good buildings have a shot at good outcomes.