Historic Survey and Update Project, Oregon City Historic Review Program, June 2011

Painter Preservation & Planning; Painter, Diana; Beckner, Chrisanne

From introduction "The Oregon City Historic Review Program historic survey and update project is made up of several components to address various aspects of the citys preservation program. In general the project can be characterized as an update of the entire Historic Review Program as it applies to the areas outside the Oregon City Historic Downtown, the Canemah Historic District, and the McLoughlin Conservation District. This project updates surveys for properties listed on the local historic register that are located outside existing districts; surveys properties that have not been surveyed in the past, with a special focus on properties that were developed in the 1940s through 1960; provides a historic context for a representative mid-century neighborhood and an overview of Oregon City at mid-century; and makes recommendations for possible improvements to the Historic Review Program, based on the surveys and field observations, and a review of the city‟s historic preservation policies and regulations. This report, which summarizes our findings and recommendations, will help guide the city in their stewardship of the Historic Preservation Program, with a special focus on the outlying neighborhoods and mid-century resources. The Scope of Work for this Phase I update of Oregon City‟s Historic Review Program involves intensive survey work, reconnaissance survey work, the development of historic contexts, and a review of the City‟s Historic Review Program. Details are as follows. Update and re-evaluate 87 properties listed on Oregon City‟s local historic register to assess integrity and make recommendations on their continued listing. Conduct a reconnaissance-level survey of approximately 1750 properties over 50 years in age in the outlying areas of Oregon City and make recommendations as to their eligibility for listing on the historic register. Develop three brief context statements on neighborhoods that appear to have good integrity and may be eligible for listing as local historic districts. Note that because there was not a high level of integrity or a concentration of properties with high integrity found during the reconnaissance survey, we decided, in consultation with the city, to focus on the older portions of the Rivercrest neighborhood exclusively. The older portion of this neighborhood is a good example of a mid-century suburban development, and may warrant additional survey work in the future. An accompanying historic context statement provides a larger context for mid-century development in Oregon City, with information on regional trends, and a profile of mid-century residential styles in Oregon City. Review and comment on Oregon City‟s Historic Review Program, including policies, regulations, and design guidelines, in light of findings from the survey work and a review of other Oregon City public information documents. Include recommendations for future public education and public involvement activities to raise the profile of historic preservation in Oregon City, particularly preservation of mid-century resources." Funding was provided in part by a 2010 Historic Preservation Fund grant to the City of Oregon City (project number OR-10-14) administered by the Oregon State Historic Preservation Office (grant number 41-10-21944) and the State, Tribal, and Local Plans and Grants Division, National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior. Oregon City, Oregon is a Certified Local Government.

Historic Survey and Update Project, Oregon City Historic Review Program, June 2011

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