Fiscal Note
The proposed resolution authorizes a contract with Preserve, LLC to conduct Boundary Review of the Mansion Hill Local and National Register Historic Districts and to conduct a Neighborhood Character Study for the Langdon Neighborhood. The 2017 Adopted Budget appropriated $50,000 in TID 32-State Street for Langdon Street and Mansion Hill Historic Studies. The maximum amount of this contract would be $50,000.
Title
SUBSTITUTE - Executing a Purchase of Services contract with Preserve, LLC to conduct a Boundary Review of the Mansion Hill Local and National Register Historic Districts, and to conduct a Neighborhood Character Study for the Langdon Neighborhood, including developing implementation actions if authorized.
Body
WHEREAS, the City of Madison’s Comprehensive Plan (adopted in 2006) recommends the retention of historic character in the downtown and older neighborhoods through numerous objectives including the education of residents, the inventory of historic resources, and other actions; and,
WHEREAS, the Downtown Plan (adopted in 2012) celebrates the variety of places that comprise Downtown by articulating what makes them unique and identifiable, and includes recommendations to preserve, enhance, and sometimes to guide the transition of these neighborhoods and districts over time”; and,
WHEREAS, most of the Mansion Hill Neighborhood is located within a local historic district and a National Register Historic District, but some properties are located in one or the other, but not both, which often leads to confusion for property owners and a disconnect between the “regulatory” and “incentive” aspects associated with the different districts; and,
WHEREAS, the Downtown Plan recommends working with the State Historical Society on creating National Register historic districts that are generally coterminous with local historic district boundaries; and,
WHEREAS, the Downtown Plan discusses the Langdon Neighborhood’s “clear identity” and “well grounded character” while suggesting that it “can accommodate a limited amount of higher-density residential redevelopment on selected sites while preserving the historic and architectural heritage of the area” but that “new development must enhance the essential character of the neighborhood”; and,
WHEREAS, this project will inventory all buildings in the Langdon Neighborhood to more fully articulate the character-defining attributes of the area, consider tools to maintain that character, and recommend a path forward; and,
WHEREAS, the findings of the review study shall be provided to the Landmarks Ordinance Review Committee (LORC) and the Landmarks Commission to be incorporated into the Historic Preservation Plan work; and,
WHEREAS, a Request for Proposals (RFP) was issued in August 2017 for consultant services to review of the Mansion Hill local and National Register Historic District boundaries, and to conduct a Neighborhood Character Study for the Langdon Neighborhood, including developing implementation actions if authorized; and,
WHEREAS, four responses to the RFP were received and the selection team (comprised of Planning Division staff), evaluated the proposals, interviewed the finalists, and recommended the contract be awarded to Preserve, LLC,
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Common Council does hereby authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to execute a Purchase of Services contract with Preserve, LLC to conduct a boundary review of the Mansion Hill local and National Register Historic Districts, and to conduct a Neighborhood Character Study for the Langdon Neighborhood, including developing implementation actions if authorized by Planning Division staff; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the recommendations of the final report shall be referred to the Landmarks Commission; and,
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that the amount of this contract shall not exceed $50,000.