Washington Park Intensive Level Survey of Historic Resources

Executive Summary: "The report presents the results of an intensive-level historic architectural survey of 239 properties in the Washington Park Historic District being locally designated in the Borough of North Plainfield, Somerset County, New Jersey. There are 213 properties within the state of New Jersey and National Register Historic District and 239 that are part of the expanded locally designated historic district boundaries. The survey was sponsored by the Borough of North Plainfield Historic Preservation Commission and was funded by a Certified Local Government grant. The goal of the survey was to examine the district in order to further strengthen protection of its invaluable cultural resources. As much as possible, previous reports and findings were incorporated into this survey as a 'living document', which is meant to build upon early preservation efforts. The survey was designed to take into account the National Register of Historic Places Criteria for Evaluation and eligibility for the New Jersey and National Register of Historic Places, although there are no plans to amend the current district listings. Most of the historic properties evaluated date from the late nineteenth to early twentieth century suburban building booms. The commission may use the findings of this survey to encourage individual property owners to utilize and celebrate listing in the New Jersey and National Registers of Historic Places, which qualifies properties for grants or tax credits under applicable state and federal programs. It is also recommended that the commission share the survey results in the community as an educational and interpretive tool, partnering with local businesses, neighborhood associations and the local government. The Borough should now consider adding Washington Park Historic District to the Municipal Master Plan. Information generated from this Architectural Survey will enable North Plainfield's Planning Board, Zoning Board of Adjustment and Historic Preservation Commission to make informed land use decisions in accordance with the municipal Master Plan, local ordinances, and the Municipal Land Use Law. It will also assist the Borough's Historic Preservation Commission in making reasonable, consistent and justifiable decisions. The survey was conducted in accordance with the New Jersey Historic Preservation Office (NJDEP-HPO) Architectural Survey Guidelines and the survey data was gathered using a Microsoft Access database application provided by the HPO and the mapping was based on existing GIS data. The results of the survey that are compiled in this report presents intensive-level research, preliminary eligibility findings, and summarizes the overall survey effort." Project funding was provided in part by a Historic Preservation Fund grant to the New Jersey Historic Preservation Office, Department of Environmental Protection, administered by the State, Tribal, Local Plans and Grants division, National Park Service, National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior (grant number P17AF00054).

Washington Park Intensive Level Survey of Historic Resources

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