Recognizing Wichita's historic heritage and the need for its protection, the Wichita City Council adopted a Preservation Ordinance in 1975. One result was the creation of the City's Historic Preservation Board (HPB) and the Wichita Register of Historic Places, a compilation of identified historic resources. Since 1975, close to 60 structures, four historic districts and three archaeological sites have been listed. Examples include Campbell Castle, North High School, the Noble House, Holyoke Cottage, the Orpheum Theater, Painted Turtle archaeological site and the Topeka/Emporia Historic District.

What is an Historic Landmark or an Historic District?

An historic landmark is a resource of historical, architectural, archaeological or cultural importance or value that is protected, enhanced and preserved in the interest of the culture, prosperity, education and welfare of the people. An historic landmark district is a group of historic resources that are deemed significant as a collection.

What does Landmark Designation do?

A landmark designation helps to:

• Safeguard the City's cultural and historic heritage by protecting and enhancing its historic resources

• Stabilize and improve property values, thereby strengthening the local economy

• Promote and encourage restoration, rehabilitation, reuse and maintenance of structures, neighborhoods and districts

• Foster community pride

Local designation does not: (a) affect the property's use; (b) affect interior alterations (unless the interior is separately designated); (c) require repairs, renovation or restoration.

How is Landmark Designation Beneficial?

Landmark designation provides recognition and protection of sites, structures, objects and areas that are important to Wichita's history and character. Benefits may include:

• Rehabilitation costs for existing structures are often less than costs incurred in demolition and new construction

• A locally designated landmark may also be eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places and may qualify the owners of such buildings for federal income tax credits

• Owners may be eligible to apply for loans where qualifying work is proposed. This assistance is provided through the City's Revolving Loan Program for Historic Properties

Criteria for Designation

The City Council, via the Historic Preservation Board, considers designation of a building, structure, structure interior, object or district for landmark status based on one or more of the following:

• An association with the events that have made a significant contribution to the broad pattern of history of the city, county, state or nation

• An association with a significant person or group of persons in the history of the city, county, state or nation

• Embodiment of distinctive characteristics of a type, period or method of construction, represents the work of a master builder/architect, possesses high artistic values or represents a distinguishable entity whose components may lack individual distinction

• Potential to yield information important in history or prehistory

• Age of 50 years or older

To Nominate a Structure or an Historic District to the Local Register

A Wichita Register of Historic Places inventory/nomination form must be completed and submitted to the Metropolitan Area Planning Department, Historic Preservation Office. This form includes:

• A list of specific historic resources within the proposed district

• A description of the particular importance or value of each historic resource including (to the extent known) - date of construction, builder and/or architect, architectural style, primary building materials, current owner and legal description of each property

• A map showing the boundaries of the proposed district and the location of each structure of importance or value

• Photographs of each building, structure, site, object or land area

Upon receipt of this nomination form, a hearing by the HPB will be scheduled. After consideration of and recommendation by the HPB, the applicant will submit an application for designation to the Metropolitan Area Planning Department, Division of Current Plans. This includes:

• The Historic Preservation Board recommendation

• A filing fee, unless submitted by the City Council or the HPB. Fee for designation of a single structure is $200 - for an entire district $500, plus $1 per zoning lot within the proposed district

The designation will be placed on the next possible Metropolitan Area Planning Commission meeting agenda for public hearing. The MAPC will send its findings to the Wichita City Council.

After notice and public hearing as required by law, the City Council may enact by ordinance a historic resource designation.

Who May Nominate?

The property may be nominated by any of the following sources:

• The property owner, or a minimum of 50 percent of property owners within a proposed historic district

• A majority of the Historic Preservation Board

• A majority of the Wichita City Council

• On privately owned structures, written consent of the owner must be received prior to the landmark/district designation

To obtain a Wichita Register of Historic Places nomination form, or for more information, contact the:

Historic Preservation Planner
Metropolitan Area Planning Department
455 N. Main, 10th Floor
Wichita, KS 67202
(316) 268-4421

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