Report to the Lawrence City Commission
Landmark Designation for 900 New York Street
April 15, 2015
The Lawrence Historic Resources Commission (HRC) respectfully submits for review and consideration L-14-00562: A Landmark nomination for the property located at 900 New York Street, the St. Luke AME Church. The Landmark application was submitted by the Lawrence Preservation Alliance on behalf of St Luke Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church, the property owner of record.
HRC Resolution No. 2015-02 recommends that the City Commission designate at 900 New York Street, St Luke AME Church, as a landmark on the Lawrence Register of Historic Places.
C. CHAPTER 22 REPORT REQUIIREMENTS (22-404.2(B))
(1) Explanation of the significance or lack of significance of the nominated landmark or historic district as it relates to the criteria for designation as set forth in section 22-403;
Saint Luke AME church is significant for its value as part of the development, heritage and cultural development of the community, including its association with Langston Hughes, and its Gothic Revival architecture. The HRC determined that the structure meets criteria (1) and (6) in section 22-403.
(2) Explanation of the integrity or lack of integrity of the nominated landmark or historic district;
The structure maintains significant integrity of location, design, materials, and workmanship that make it worthy of preservation.
(3) In the case of a nominated landmark found to meet the criteria for designation:
(A) The significant exterior architectural features of the nominated landmark that should be protected; and,
The windows including the stain glass windows, window surrounds including the keystones and lintels, towers including the crenellations, brick masonry, entrance details, and the limestone capped parapet with details should be protected.
(B) The types of construction, alteration, demolition, and removal, other than those requiring a building or demolition permit that cannot be undertaken without obtaining a certificate of appropriateness.
Alterations to the windows – including surrounds, roof limestone capped parapet, towers including crenellation, and brick masonry should require a Certificate of Appropriateness.
(4) Proposed design guidelines for applying the criteria for review of certificates of appropriateness to the nominated landmark or historic district.
U.S. Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation, published in 1990, and any future amendments, in addition to any criteria specified by Chapter 22 of the Code of the City of Lawrence, Kansas.
The HRC has also adopted An Analysis of the Environs for 900 New York Street and delineated how environs review will be conducted in relation to the listed property. The analysis is attached with the delineation of environs areas.
(5) The relationship of the nominated landmark or historic district to the on-going effort of the commission to identify and nominate all potential areas and structures that meet the criteria for designation.
A primary goal of the HRC is to build a Register of properties which show the diversity and growth of Lawrence since its inception. The nomination of this property is another step toward registering a wide variety of historic properties which together present a visual history of Lawrence’s past. The goal of the Lawrence Register of Historic Places is to represent all socioeconomic strata; businesses and industries which illustrate the diversity that has been prevalent in Lawrence since its inception.
(6) A map showing the location of the nominated landmark. (Attached)
2. A map showing the location of 900 New York Street
3. Nomination Application Material
5. Environs Definition and Map
6. Photos