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To: Louisville City Council <br />From: Peter Stewart, Chair, Louisville Historic Preservation Commission <br />Date: July 6, 2011 <br />Re: Historic Character a Key Economic Benefit to Downtown Louisville's <br />Success <br />Dear Mayor Sisk & Member of Council: <br />As we celebrate Downtown Louisville's current economic viability and success it is <br />important to recognize this did not just occur overnight. It is the result of many years of <br />effort by the city, taxpayers and numerous other dedicated individuals and organizations. <br />While the historic character of Louisville is but one element, we think most would agree <br />it's a crucial component without which the marketability, livability, uniqueness and <br />general attraction of Louisville would be much lower. <br />The following is a timeline I prepared of various events and actions that help illustrate the <br />past 30 years of effort in maintaining, protecting and enhancing Louisville's historic <br />character. <br />Timeline: <br />• 1979 Louisville Historical Commission established by City Council <br />• 1983 Louisville Historical Museum established by City Council <br />• 80's through 90's Community workshops, "futures conferences ", were held every <br />couple of years, in which preserving historic downtown and its character was <br />ranked as a top priority. <br />• 1982 Surveys of 135 historic structures were surveyed as part of a possible local <br />historic district, by the City of Louisville and its Historical Commission. <br />• 1985 As a result of the survey 12 properties were listed in the National Register of <br />Historic Places. (Only 12 because of limited funds). The structures were <br />designated by the Secretary of the Interior as the Louisville Multiple Resource <br />District. <br />• Early 1990's citizens passed a capital improvement tax to fund pubic <br />improvements in Historic Downtown. <br />• Early to mid 1990s Task Force for Downtown Improvements formed. The Task <br />Force worked with public works and downtown businesses/ property owners to <br />develop streetscape improvements and street reconstruction. The work included <br />5 <br />