12.18.23 LB PRAB Joint Study Session Memo
STUDY SESSION MEMORANDUM
To: Members of Landmarks Board and Parks & Recreation Advisory Board
From: Brad Mueller, Planning & Development Services Director (P&DS)
Alison Rhodes, Parks and Recreation Director (BPR)
Kristofer Johnson, Comprehensive Planning Manager (P&DS)
Mark Davison, Planning Senior Manager (BPR)
Marcy Gerwing, Principal Historic Preservation Planner (P&DS)
Shihomi Kuriyagawa, Senior Landscape Architect (BPR)
Date: December 18, 2023
Subject: Proposed Civic Area Historic District
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The purpose of this study session is to provide the Landmarks Board and the Parks & Recreation
Advisory Board with an update on the process for the Proposed Civic Area Historic District, to
request feedback on the draft design guideline framework, and to review the Cultural Landscape
Assessment (CLA) findings for Central Park.
The historic district process evaluates an application for a proposed historic district designation
of a portion of the Civic Area. The application was submitted by three historic preservation
organizations as allowed by Section 9-11-3, B.R.C. 1981, in May 2023. The Landmarks Board
voted to initiate the designation process at their meeting on July 12, 2023.
Concurrent to the Historic District timeline and as a response to Council’s direction June 14,
2022 meeting (item 4B), BPR staff have developed the CLA process to evaluate Central Park
within the proposed historic district boundary. This assessment will determine if the park land
has significance and integrity as a cultural landscape per National Park Service Guidelines. The
CLA will be considered along with the city’s local historic designation criteria to inform the
boundary of the proposed historic district. The CLA is grounded in research, inventory,
documentation, analysis, and evaluation of the landscape’s characteristics and associated features
and the seven aspects of integrity for the site. The CLA will also be integrated into the Civic
Area Phase 2 process and timeline to ensure this work informs this next phase of park design for
the Civic Area.
This memo describes the historic district process to date, including department and agency
coordination, community engagement, racial equity strategies, and development of a draft design
guideline framework. This memo also includes the findings from the CLA process described in
the City Council Information Packet on May 18, 2023 to evaluate Central Park for historic
significance and integrity of the site as a designed landscape.
The Landmarks Board, Parks & Recreation Advisory Board and Planning Board will review the
proposed designation in early 2024. City Council review is anticipated in April 2024.
BOARD DISCUSSION
1. Do board members have questions on the designation process?
2. Do board members have feedback on the draft design guidelines (intent, table of contents,
guiding principles)?
3. Do board members have questions on the CLA process or findings?
BACKGROUND
• On August 27, 2021, the Landmarks Board received a letter from the Friends of the
Bandshell (link) requesting Landmarks Board consider an expansion of the landmark
boundary of the Glen Huntington Bandshell, an individual local landmark (Ordinance 5751),
to include the entirety of Block 13 (1236 Canyon Blvd.).
• In November 2021, the Landmarks Board initiated the process to expand the boundary and in
April 2022, the Landmarks Board voted to recommend expansion of the boundary. The Parks
and Recreation Advisory Board (PRAB) requested that the decision be postponed in order to
allow time for additional review and coordination with the forthcoming Civic Area Phase 2
planning and design process.
• On June 14, 2022, City Council held a public hearing to consider expanding the designation
boundary of the Glen Huntington Bandshell. The City Council gave a Nod of Five to “have
Landmarks staff investigate and explore the creation of a downtown area historic district that
would include this area, saying they would work with the Landmarks Board and Parks Board
moving forward.” See City Council 06.14.2022 recording (link).
• Following Council’s direction at the June 14, 2022 meeting (item 4B, page 70), Historic
Preservation and Parks and Recreation staff jointly established an approach to evaluate a
Historic District in the Civic Area that included developing a Cultural Landscape
Assessment, which will be integrated into the Civic Area Phase 2 process and timeline, and
inform the next phase of park design for the Civic Area. See the April 24, 2023 PRAB Packet
(link), the April 12, 2023 Landmarks Board Meeting (link) and the City Council 05.18.2023
information packet item (link).
• On May 30, 2023, the Planning & Development Services Department accepted a complete
application for a proposed historic district in the Civic Area from Historic Boulder Inc.,
Friends of the Teahouse and Friends of the Bandshell.
• On July 12, 2023 the Landmarks Board voted (3-1, C. Castellano dissenting) to initiate the
historic district process with the understanding that the applicants would extend the timeline
defined in sections 9-11-4 and 9-11-5, BRC 1981. See Landmarks Board 07.12.23 Minutes
(link).
• On August 23, 2023, the applicant group and city signed an agreement to extend the public
process and hold the designation hearing on February 7, 2024.
• This memo describes the progress of this project, including department and agency
coordination, community engagement, racial equity strategies and development of draft
design guidelines.
• The purpose of this December 18 Joint Landmarks Board and Parks & Recreation Advisory
Board Study Session is to review the process to date and provide feedback on the draft design
guidelines.
• The Parks & Recreation Advisory Board will provide feedback on the proposed designation
on January 22, 2024, followed by the Landmarks Board designation hearing on February 7,
2024. The application will then be reviewed by the Planning Board for feedback on potential
land use implications.
• The City Council designation hearing is anticipated to occur in April 2024.
BOARD & COUNCIL ROLES
Members of the city’s various boards and commission are outlined in the City Charter and
Boulder Revised Code. As it relates to historic designation:
• The Landmarks Board’s role is to make a recommendation to the City Council on the
proposed designation, and to adopt design guidelines. As stated in Section 9-11-5
Landmarks Board Designation Public Hearing, the criteria for the Landmarks Board’s
review is to determine whether the proposed designation conforms with the purposes and
standards in sections 9-11-1 Legislative Intent and 9-11-2 City Council May Designate
Landmarks and Historic Districts.
• As provided in Section 9-11-5(e) Planning Board Review, the Planning Board’s role is to
review the proposed designation and report to the City Council on its land use
implications.
• The Parks & Recreation Advisory Board does not have a formal role in the historic
district designation process as outlined in Chapter 9-11 Historic Preservation. Per the
City Charter, one of the PRAB’s functions is to make recommendations to City Council
regarding the protection and maintenance of park lands; the PRAB’s input will inform the
design guidelines and be included in materials for reviewing boards and City Council.
City Council designates landmarks and historic districts by ordinance. The criteria for City
Council’s review is to determine whether the proposed designation meets the purposes and
standards in Subsection 9-11-1(a) and Section 9-11-2, "City Council May Designate or Amend
Landmarks and Historic Districts," B.R.C. 1981, in balance with the goals and policies of the
Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan. The City Council may approve by ordinance, modify and
approve by ordinance, or disapprove the proposed designation.
OVERVIEW OF PROPOSED DISTRICT
The proposed boundary of the historic district as submitted in the application includes Central
Park, the 13th Street and Sister Cities plazas, five individually designated landmarks, and
portions of Broadway, 13th Street, the Boulder Slough and Smith and Goss Ditch, and Boulder
Creek. The boundary extends from the west side of the Penfield Tate II Municipal Building
(1777 Broadway) to 14th Street, and from Canyon Boulevard to Arapahoe Avenue. The privately
owned parcels on the northeast corner of Arapahoe and Broadway (1201 Arapahoe Ave. and
1724 Broadway) are not included in the proposed boundary.
On July 12, 2023, the Landmarks Board voted to accept the application and initiate the historic
district designation process to further explore the area’s eligibility based on:
1) Its inclusion of five significant buildings and their sites that have been previously
designated;
2) Its historic significance in the history of Boulder’s park development and for the role
played by the Boulder City Improvement Association, Frederick Law Olmsted Jr., the
Lions Club, and consulting city planner S.R. DeBoer and its contribution to the social and
cultural life of the city for over a century;
3) Its architectural significance that includes work by notable architects, master builders,
and urban planners representing examples of a progression of architectural styles;
4) Its environmental significance for its planned and natural site characteristics that
represents an established and visual feature of the community.
HISTORIC DISTRICT UPDATES
The historic district designation process is outlined in Section 9-11-4 Public Process for Historic
Districts, B.R.C. 1981. The following is a summary of efforts between July until November
2023.
Department and Agency Coordination
In August, Planning & Development Services (P&DS) staff met individually with representatives
from Transportation and Mobility, Parks & Recreation (BPR), Planning & Development
Services, Public Works - Utilities, Community Vitality, Facilities & Fleet, City Manager’s
Office, City Attorney’s Office and Communications and Engagement. The purpose of the
meetings was to provide information about the process, discuss the effects of historic
designation, answer questions and listen to concerns. P&DS staff also solicited interest from
departments to participate in the Technical Advisory Group to develop draft design guidelines
(see additional information below).
P&DS and BPR staff have been meeting bi-weekly to coordinate efforts on the development of
the Cultural Landscape Assessment (CLA) and the overall project management of the historic
district application.
Public Works – Utilities staff facilitated coordination with the Boulder and White Rock Ditch,
North Boulder Farmers Ditch and Boulder Left Hand Ditch companies, as the proposed
boundary includes a reach of the Boulder Slough and Smith & Goss Ditch. Staff proposed
utilizing the same approach as the landmark designation of the Boulder-Dushanbe Teahouse,
which includes language in the designation ordinance that acknowledges that use of the
respective ditch easements will not require Landmark Alteration Certificate review.
P&DS staff spoke with representatives of the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT),
as a portion of Broadway (Highway 93) is included in the proposed historic district boundary.
Similar to the ditch companies, management of Broadway will not require Landmark Alteration
Certificate Review if the area is designated.
Racial Equity Instrument
This designation process is the first Historic Preservation project to use the Racial Equity
Instrument. The process included elevating the voices of historically excluded peoples and
amplifying the message that the historic narrative of the area has been dehumanizing and used to
perpetuate dominant social structures.
Research
The designation process provided an opportunity to fill research gaps in the history of the area, in
particular the history of residents and businesses that were displaced. Historic Preservation staff
were able to access recently digitized information from the Library of Congress and National
Park Service, and other state and local sources. Staff focused on primary sources (first-hand
accounts, period newspaper articles, maps and photographs) for research, but additionally
consulted local experts and contemporary secondary sources.
Engagement Strategy
The engagement levels for this project are consult for the general public; and involve for the key
stakeholders, which include property owners and the applicants.
To date, the project team has used different methods to:
• share information about the area’s historical significance,
• raise awareness and understanding of the designation proposal,
• gather feedback from historically excluded communities,
• facilitate discussions from key stakeholders on draft design guidelines, and
• solicit feedback on whether a portion of the Civic Area should be designated a historic
district.
1. Consultation with Community Connectors-in-Residence (CC-in-R): The city’s CC-in-R
represent historically excluded communities. The project team met online with four CC-
in-Rs representing Black, Latine, Indigenous and people living with a disability to answer
questions about the designation process and to discuss the racial equity strategies for the
project, including engagement. Following on these consultations, the main opportunity
identified by the project team to advance racial equity is to explore and build more
comprehensive narratives of our city’s development by researching, elevating and telling
the stories of historically excluded populations. The CC-in-R agreed to participate in a
‘dry run’ of the walking tour to provide feedback on the script through a racial equity
lens.
2. Walking Tours: The project team and applicants collaborated over the course of six
weeks to refine a walking tour script for the public. The project team’s goal was to
continue to tell the stories of Central Park and the five landmarked properties within the
proposed district – while also telling a more complete and multi-dimensional history of
the area. This included researching and telling the stories of people that once lived here.
It included amplifying the message that the narrative about the area adjacent to the
Boulder Creek, referred to as “The Jungle” from the 1920s, is dehumanizing and used to
perpetuate dominant social structures.
- The three tours were advertised on the city’s social media, the city calendar and
website and by the applicant groups.
- Twenty-three people signed up in advance and only eight people attended. The tours
were held on Saturday, Oct. 14 at 10 A.M., Wednesday, Oct. 18 at 12 P.M. and 5
P.M.
- The project team led a walking tour for city staff on Oct. 12 (about 20 attendees).
- The project team also led a walking tour with Community Connectors-in-Residence
(CC-in-R) (5) on Sept. 21 to help identify white, privileged bias in the script that
could be exclusionary and hurtful. The applicants participated in this walking tour
with CC-in-R as observers. CC-in-R feedback was used to update the script.
3. Webpage, StoryMap 1 & online questionnaire: The project team developed a webpage,
that has been available online since August 28. The webpage provides an overview of the
project, background information, details of upcoming engagement opportunities and
latest news, and an explanation of the timeline and process. Additionally, the webpage
includes a StoryMap of the area’s history that seeks to tell a more inclusive history of the
area. It has been available online since Nov. 28 and viewed by 1,045 people as of Dec.
12.
The webpage also includes a questionnaire asking whether people support or do not
support the designation. The questionnaire will be available until Jan. 15, 2024. It also
provides the opportunity for people to share their own historic photos of the area.
4. Communications and Media Coverage: Media coverage of the project includes an update
in the Winter 2023 issue of the Boulder Community Newsletter (p10); a press release
announcing the publication of the StoryMap was issued on Nov. 29 and project manager
Marcy Gerwing was interviewed for a Channel 8 segment that aired Dec. 1, 2024. Social
media posts include Nextdoor on Dec. 5 and Facebook on Dec. 7.
5. What’s Up Boulder: The project team participated in the What’s Up Boulder event at
Foothills Community Park on Sept. 10. The project team was available to share
information about the project and answer questions. The project team handed out
coloring postcards of the landmarked buildings within the proposed district, along with
an aerial view of the park and surrounding buildings.
6. Carnegie Library for Local History “Boulder Rewind” event. The project team
participated in a celebration of 40 years of local history at the Carnegie Library on Oct. 1,
1 ArcGIS StoryMaps is a story authoring web-based application that allows you to share your maps in the
context of narrative text and other multimedia content.
2023 with a presentation on some of the research completed on the history of the
proposed district.
CULTURAL LANDSCAPE ASSESSMENT (CLA) PROCESS AND FINDINGS
In April, BPR staff started scoping the CLA, researched the park history in the summer of 2023
and prepared a draft CLA in early fall. This approach was defined by the National Historic
Preservation Act of 1966 and the criteria for the National Register of Historic Places as well as
the 1998 National Parks Service Guide to Cultural Landscape Reports criteria. The CLA
analyzed the site within the historic periods for significance and the major landscape
characteristics and features and seven aspects of integrity to understand if there was integrity for
the identified historic periods.
As described in the City Council Information Packet on May 18, 2023, the CLA follows
National Park Service guidelines to identify significance and integrity through a two-step
process. The CLA uses the same criteria (seven aspects of integrity) for identifying integrity as
the city’s local historic designation integrity criteria to inform the boundary of the proposed
historic district. The CLA and city’s local historic code differ on the criteria used to identify
significance. The CLA follows National Park Service Guidelines (4 areas of significance), and
the city has a code the uses three area of significance. For a landscape to be historic they must
have both significance and integrity. For Central Park, the seven aspects of integrity ultimately
inform the boundary of the historic landscape, which will contribute to the overall historic
district evaluation per the city’s local historic designation criteria.
In October, the draft was sent to a nationally recognized historic preservation consultant for a
third-party review of the methodology and determinations regarding historic significance and
integrity of the park area. This review included evaluation of the site history, existing conditions
inventory, and the evaluation of landscape character and features of the entirety of Central Park
(boundary in blue in the below diagram), an area of approximately 4 acres and encompasses the
current Bandshell landmark boundary (boundary in yellow within the blue boundary in the below
diagram). The park is bounded by Canyon Blvd. to the north, 13th Street to the east, Arapahoe
Ave. to the south, and Broadway to the west. All other areas and previously historically
designated areas are out of scope for the CLA.
Figure 1. Study Area of Cultural Landscape Assessment (blue boundary).
The site history the CLA provides is an overview of the timeline of the major events that had an
impact on the design and development of Central Park area. Four eras of physical development
were identified and include the acquisition of the park, its initial development, and major
redesigns or alterations. The major historical periods the CLA outlines in its research are:
• 1903-1922: Acquiring the Land for Central Park
• 1923-1936: Olmsted Jr. Design for Central Park
• 1937-1973: Huntington/DeBoer Design for Bandshell and Seating
• 1970-2023: Modern Updates
Overall landscape characteristics evaluated in the existing conditions as well as the final
evaluation of integrity are:
• Topography
• Vegetation
• Circulation
• Buildings and Structures
• Views and Viewsheds
• Land Use
• Spatial Organization
• Small-Scale Features (for the Huntington/DeBoer Period only)
The seven aspects of integrity that were evaluated are:
• Location
• Design
• Setting
• Materials
• Workmanship
• Feeling
• Association
The draft summary of findings and the evaluation of the site can be found in Attachment A from
the historic preservation consultant. The below diagram outlines the summary of findings of
significance and integrity in the identified historic periods of significance using the landscape
characteristics and seven aspects listed above:
Figure 2. Cultural Landscape Assessment, Significance Findings
Figure 3. Cultural Landscape Assessment, Integrity Findings
The final assessment of the CLA will be completed by the consultant in the coming weeks and
the full CLA document will be shared with PRAB, Landmarks Board, and public in January.
DRAFT DESIGN GUIDELINES
Technical Advisory Group
A Technical Advisory Group, comprised of representatives from Community Vitality, Facilities
& Fleet, Parks & Recreation, Planning & Development Services and Public Works – Utilities,
and representatives from the three applicant groups met over the course of three meetings to
create draft design guidelines. Representatives from other city departments, City Manager’s
Office, City Attorney’s Office, Community & Engagement, Transportation & Mobility, chose to
review the draft design guidelines once complete rather than participate in the Technical
Advisory Group.
Scope of Draft Design Guidelines
The scope of the draft design guidelines includes the intent and scope of the design guidelines,
preliminary Table of Contents, and guiding principles. If the City Council designates the historic
district, a separate project will commence to develop district-specific design guidelines.
Draft Design Guidelines
Intent
What is the purpose of these design guidelines? How will they be used?
(Language from Boulder’s General Design Guidelines and University Place Historic District
Design Guidelines)
The purpose of the guidelines is to facilitate both the Landmark Alteration Certificate (LAC)
application and approval of alterations proposed for design review by assisting owners and
designers as they plan maintenance and changes to buildings and public spaces and to provide
the Landmarks Board with a framework for evaluation of proposed improvements.
The guidelines reflect the Landmarks Board’s philosophy that underlies all its decisions: to
encourage the preservation and careful treatment of the city’s historically significant resources,
while recognizing the need for continuing adaptation and improvements to these resources.
The guidelines have been developed to recognize the unique character of the district and are
intended to supplement the General Design Guidelines for Boulder’s Historic Districts and
Individual Landmarks (the General Design Guidelines), which apply unless otherwise stated.
Where the two guidelines conflict, the district-specific guidelines shall prevail.
The design guidelines are intended to be used as an aid to appropriate design and not as a
checklist of items for compliance. In some cases, unusual circumstances may allow for projects
to deviate from them.
Table of Contents
What areas will the guidelines address?
• Review Process
• Roles and Responsibilities
o Include review bodies, policies and regulations (i.e. floodplain, Park Plan for the
Civic Area, Art Acquisition Policy, Downtown Urban Design Guidelines, plans
and policies related to the list in Guiding Principal #2, etc.)
• What Requires Review?
o Define what does and doesn’t require review in the design guidelines to
streamline and clarify the review process (i.e. maintenance, emergency repairs,
new work)
o Clarify that improvement or maintenance work within the ditch easements and
CDOT easement (Broadway) is exempt from LAC review
• History of the Area
o Summary of area history based on new research to tell more inclusive history of
area.
• Design Guidelines
o Rehabilitation of Historic Structures
o Additions to Historic Structures
o New Construction
o Coordination with Floodplain Development Regulations
o Central Park
o Boulder Creek
o Public Art
o East Bookend
o 13th Street
o Plazas
Guiding Principles
What values are important to inform the district-specific design guidelines?
1. The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation are the foundation for
the historic district design guidelines.
Rationale: Adopted by the Landmarks Board in 1985 (revised in 1990), the Standards for
Rehabilitation are the foundation of the General Design Guidelines and the eight district-
specific design guidelines. As a Certified Local Government, design review is required to
be consistent with the Secretary of the Interior's Standards.
2. Preserve maintenance access and align the design guidelines with management
practices in adopted city plans and policies for utilities infrastructure, urban trees,
park design standards, flood mitigation and transportation networks related to life
safety and accessibility.
Rationale: The City has established programs and professional staff that manage the
many assets within the historic district. The design guidelines should reinforce the
importance of life safety and accessibility within the boundaries of the district.
Additionally, defining what does and does not require review in the design guidelines will
clarify and streamline the review process and ensure that emergency repairs and regular
maintenance projects can be swiftly executed.
3. The area has character-defining features that contribute to its historic character
and setting. Define these key historic features within the historic district and
consider drawing inspiration from them. Key features include but are not limited
to:
• Boulder Creek as a living entity that is significant to Boulder’s past, present and
future and provides critical public safety, health, flood conveyance, water supply,
and environmental benefits.
• The unique architectural character of the area as defined by five distinct,
individually landmarked structures, each representing a forward-looking and
progressive city identity.
• The area is a place for recreation, gathering and play that contributes to the health
and well-being for all and should continue to reflect the variety of community
needs and desires for the enjoyment of the site.
Rationale: The area has character-defining features that contribute to its historic
character. While this is not a complete list, this guiding principle emphasizes the
importance of Boulder Creek, the unique architectural character of the structures,
and the importance of the area as a place for recreation, gathering and play.
4. The area is significant for its association with Boulder’s municipal, social and
political history. As part of Boulder’s Civic Area, this district continues to have a
symbolic, geographic, and functional importance and therefore should serve as an
inclusive place where all feel welcome. Celebrate the diversity of our community
and enrich our collective understanding of different periods of Boulder’s history by
acknowledging stories of historically excluded populations.
Rationale: The historic district process provided an opportunity to tell a more complete
history of the area. While there is additional work to be done, it is evident that the area
currently tells only a portion of Boulder’s history. As the civic center of Boulder, it is
even more important that it be inclusive and welcoming, and broad representation
through art, educational opportunities and programming is encouraged. This principle
aligns with the Park Plan for Boulder’s Civic Area, which states “Preserve, reflect and
celebrate the area's fully inclusive history (e.g., Indigenous Peoples, mining, the railroad,
Olmsted's linear park and landmarked structures).”
5. Align the selection of works of art within the Civic Area Historic District with
adopted city plans and policies to encourage creativity, contribute to a sense of
place, spark conversation, tell our shared stories and capture our moment in time,
foster the enjoyment of diverse works of art, and be thoughtfully designed
contributions to the urban environment of our vibrant city. Additionally, select
artwork within the Civic Area to attract, inspire, educate and engage the
community.
Rationale: The Civic Area Park Plan identifies this area as one of the major art centers
of Boulder, and new artwork within the proposed historic district is anticipated and
encouraged in the future. This guiding principle repeats the mission of the Acquisition
Criteria of the Public Art Policy, as well as language from the Park Plan for the Civic
Area. Both of these statements are compatible with the intent of historic district
designation, which among other things, seeks to promote tourist trade and interest and
foster knowledge of the city's living heritage.
JOINT BOARD MEETING PURPOSE
The purpose of this study session is to provide the Landmarks Board and the Parks & Recreation
Advisory Board with an update on the process for the Proposed Civic Area Historic District, to
request feedback on the draft design guideline framework, and to review the Cultural Landscape
Assessment (CLA) findings for Central Park. No formal vote will be taken. The study session is
scheduled for 90 minutes and will take place prior to the regular PRAB meeting and will be
guided by the PRAB meeting procedures. The meeting will be facilitated by Comprehensive
Planning Manager Kristofer Johnson in an effort to hear from all voices.
BOARD DISCUSSION
1. Do board members have questions on the designation process?
2. Do board members have feedback on the draft design guidelines (intent, table of contents,
guiding principles)?
3. Do board members have questions on the CLA process or findings?
NEXT STEPS
The historic district application will be reviewed by Boards and the City Council in early 2024.
The anticipated schedule includes:
• January 22, 2024 - Parks & Recreation Advisory Board
• February 7, 2024 – Landmarks Board Designation Hearing
• March 2024 – Planning Board (Land Use)
• March 2024 – City Council, 1st Reading
• April 2024 – City Council, 2nd Reading and Public Hearing
ATTACHMENTS
• Attachment A – Peer Review Summary of the CLA Findings
to Shihomi Kuriyagawa and Mark Davison (City of Boulder)
from Eleanor Cox and Laurie Matthews (MIG)
re Peer review of DRAFT Central Park Cultural Landscape Assessment Report
date 12/12/2023
Certification of Peer Review and Summary of Findings
Peer Review
In September of 2023, Shihomi Kuriyagawa and Mark Davison from the Parks
Department at the City of Boulder contracted Laurie Matthews at MIG to provide
peer review for a department-authored cultural landscape assessment of Central
Park. Eleanor Cox is providing technical guidance on the report content to the
City while Laurie Matthews is providing QA/QC on MIG deliverables. Our
professional qualifications are attached to this memo.
On Oct 27, 2023, MIG received a copy of the DRAFT Boulder Central Park,
Cultural Landscape Assessment from the Parks Department. Minor comments
regarding missing context and organization of the report were provided in
response, and on November 29 MIG received a revised draft for full peer review.
After reviewing the revised report, MIG finds that sufficient evidence is presented
to support the findings. Further refinement and organization of the content is
needed before the report should be considered final, but the chronology is well
researched and the integrity analysis presented meets professional standards.
MIG concurs with the findings as described below.
Summary of Findings
The design and development of Central Park in 1923-1924 is historically
significant under National Register Criterion C (design) as the work of a
recognized master, landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted Jr. Additionally,
the northern portion of Central Park is already an established historic district that
has been determined historically significant under National Register Criteria A
(Events) and C (Design) for its role in the social and cultural life of Boulder and
the design improvements implemented between 1938 and 1950 by Glen
Huntington and Saco Rienk DeBoer, including the band shell, the amphitheater,
and the associated vegetation and grading.
MIG, Inc.
Over the past century the Central Park landscape has experienced changes that
include:
▪ Physical changes to the landscape, such as the realignment and redesign
of the vegetation and circulation systems, and substantial regrading of the
topography.
▪ A change in use through the construction of the bandshell and its evolution
as an activated space for entertainment and performance.
These changes have resulted in a lack of historical integrity of design, materials,
workmanship, feeling, and association, which are needed for Central Park to
convey its 1923-1924 design and association with Olmsted Jr. The character of
Central Park relating to the Olmsted Jr.-era has been altered to the point where it
is no longer visible in the landscape.
Both historic significance and historical integrity are required to meet eligibility
thresholds for listing in the National Register. While Central Park has its origins in
the 1920s and the Olmsteds’ recommendations and designs for a park system in
Boulder, it is no longer able to tell that story through the existing landscape. As
such, while the park’s history is significant the lack of integrity in the landscape
disqualifies the park as a whole for listing in the National Register as the work of
master landscape architect Olmsted Jr.
However, the northern portion of park is still able to convey its historic
significance and association with the 1938-1950 era of park development
associated with Huntington and DeBoer. Therefore, Central Park remains eligible
for the National Register under Criteria A and C for the period in which the
bandshell and associated amphitheater seating were designed and built (1938-
1950). The area associated with these improvements is roughly outlined in yellow
in the graphic on page 3 of this memo; it does not constitute the full park
boundary as no evidence exists linking the southern portion of the park to the
Huntington-DeBoer improvements.
MIG, Inc.
Attachments:
Professional resumes for Laurie Matthews and Eleanor Cox. Both staff meet the
Secretary of the Interiors Professional Qualifications Standards in the areas of
history, architectural history, and/or historical landscape architecture.
EDUCATION
»MLA, University of Oregon
»BLA, Landscape Architecture,
University of Oregon
»BFA, Lewis & Clark College,
Portland, Oregon
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
»American Society of
Landscape Architects
»Alliance for Historic
Landscape Preservation
»National Trust for Historic
AWARDS
»Oregon ASLA Distinguished
Practitioner Award, 2022
»Oregon Recreation and Parks
Association, South Park
Blocks Master Plan, 2022
»Oregon ASLA Award of
Excellence, Lithia Park
Master Plan, 2019
»Oregon ASLA Award of
Excellence, Willamette
Falls Cultural Landscape
Report, 2019
»Historic American
Landscape Survey Challenge
Award, Gaiety Hollow
Documentation, 2014
Laurie Matthews, FASLA
DIRECTOR OF PRESERVATION PLANNING AND DESIGN | MIG
Laurie Matthews is a nationally recognized expert in preservation
planning and cultural landscapes. Her work has helped to maintain and
manage some of the most iconic and precious historical sites in the
country such as Hearst Castle, Ellis Island, and Yosemite National Park.
Laurie is fascinated by the complexities and stories associated with
landscapes and the history they reveal. Her expertise and experience
are invaluable in assisting clients interpret and apply The Secretary of
the Interior’s Standards and the National Register of Historic Places
guidelines to the cultural properties under their stewardship. Laurie’s
analytical and communication skills enable her to readily identify issues
and clearly outline potential choices and tradeoffs related to design and
management. She is inspired by the passion of her public and private
clients and recognizes the impact the planning and design projects she
prepares have on cultural landscapes. Laurie has garnered national and
regional awards for her work, and she frequently speaks at national
conferences on historic preservation and design.
SELECTED PROJECT EXPERIENCE
»Willamette Falls Cultural Landscape Report, Oregon City, OR
»Yosemite Lodge Cultural Landscape Report, Yosemite National Park, CA
»South Park Blocks Master Plan, Portland, OR
»Dorris Ranch Master Plan, Springfield, OR
Preservation Sand Creek Cultural Landscape Inventory, Sand Creek Massacre
National Historical Site, CO
»Lithia Park Master Plan, Ashland, OR
»Point Reyes Light Station Cultural Landscape Report and Rehabilitation,
Point Reyes National Seashore, CA
»Oliver Kelley Farm Master Plan, Elk River, MN
»Bassett Farms Cultural Landscape Report, Kosse, Texas
»Denali Park Road Cultural Landscape Report, Denali National Park and
Preserve, AK
»Scotty’s Castle Cultural Landscape Report, Death Valley
National Park, CA
»Minidoka National Historical Park Visitor Center, ID
»Menlo Community Residential, Menlo, CA
»Greasy Grass Battlefield Cultural Landscape Report, Little Bighorn
Battlefield National Monument, MT
»Curry Village Cabins Rehabilitation, Yosemite National Park, CA
»Gaiety Hollow Cultural Landscape Report, Salem, OR
»White Pass Cultural Landscape Report, Klondike Gold Rush National
EDUCATION
»MS, Historic Preservation,
Columbia University in the
City of New York
»BA, History, University of
California, Santa Cruz
CERTIFICATIONS
»Certificate of Cultural
Landscape Preservation and
Management, University of
California, Berkeley
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
»Vice-President, California
Garden and Landscape
History Society
PRESENTATIONS
»"Understanding Cultural
Landscapes and Planning for
Change at the National Mall,"
National Trust for Historic
Preservation Conference,
2023
»“Climate Adaptation for
Buildings and Landscapes,”
National Trust for Historic
Preservation Conference,
2022
»“Landscapes Lost or
Forgotten: University Mound
Nursery in San Francisco,”
California Garden and
Landscape History Society,
2020
Eleanor Cox, MS
PRESERVATION SPECIALIST | MIG
Eleanor Cox is a highly accomplished preservation specialist and project
manager dedicated to broadening the application of cultural landscapes
as a framework for holistically managing and maintaining historic sites and
resources. An internship with the National Park Service put Eleanor on the
path to graduate school and a 10-year career in historic preservation planning
and cultural resources management spanning the United States. Using
cultural landscapes as a lens to examine a project, she helps clients consider
a place and all its layers and components—historic and archeological,
social and spiritual, natural and man-made—as they decide upon its future.
Combined with her research, analysis, and writing skills, Eleanor’s expertise
and experience enable her to efficiently guide clients through often complex
planning processes that require balancing client and stakeholder needs
with cultural resources. She is passionate about applying her knowledge to
create effective long-term stewardship strategies that allow for change while
recognizing and maintaining the significant past.
SELECTED PROJECT EXPERIENCE
»Bear Lodge Indigenous Cultural Landscape Report, Devils Tower National
Monument, WY
»Keys Ranch Historic District Cultural Landscape Report, Joshua Tree
National Park, CA
»Camp Namanu National Register of Historic Places Nomination,
Sandy, OR
»Ukiah Railroad Depot Historic Resource Evaluation, Ukiah, CA
»Bacon Ranch Historic District Cultural Landscape Report, Pinnacles
National Park, CA
»Bassett Farms Cultural Landscape Report, Limestone County, TX
»Thousands Cabins Determination of Eligibility and National Register
Update, Yosemite National Park, CA
»Merced Manor Reservoir and Pump House Historic Resource Evaluation,
San Francisco, CA*
»Capitol Annex Replacement Project Landscape Evaluation and Historic
Context Statements, Treatment Report, and Environmental Review,
Sacramento, CA*
»Capitol Extension Group Historic District National Register Update,
Sacramento, CA*
»Camp Locket Cultural Resources Technical Report, Campos, San Diego
County, CA*
»Golden Gate Village Maintenance Projects, Section 106 Compliance and
Memorandum of Understanding Between the Marin Housing Authority
and County of Marin, Marin City, CA*
* Completed prior to joining MIG