THREATENED
Architectural and cultural treasures that need to be preserved

Preservation Alliance monitors particular historic buildings in need of special attention to encourage their preservation. As a community, we are not always successful. See FALLEN below.

Bates Building (Bank of Commerce) ▪ About 1883 ▪ 101 W 2nd St

The Bates Building (Bank of Commerce) is an integral element in the Downtown Placemaking Master Plan, which recommends preservation of a "historic core district." See Downtown Historic Districts below. This three-and-one-half-story two-part commercial block was constructed in the 1880s and housed the Bank of Commerce in 1887. The facade conveys the solidity and permanence desirable in a bank. Below the dentils at the roofline are several rows of terra cotta tiles. Squat colonnades define the attic level. The facade is divided into three sections consisting of an oriel window flanked by piers. Arches define the bays on either side. Basket weave terra cotta panels divide the second from the third story. Stone bands accent the facade and define the first story. The street level facade has been altered significantly in the past decade. The central entrance is still recessed but the display windows have been replaced by smaller square windows. The Allen Street facade is more utilitarian, although care was taken to give it an air of style and prosperity. The decorative elements are similar to those on the front of the building but are more restrained. At the rear of the building are two additional storefronts defined by pediments that project well beyond the roofline. The storefronts have decorative treatments that mimic those on the 2nd Street facade but at a smaller scale.

No more towers planned for the historic core: Every few years over the last quarter century, new private developer plans would arise that proposed to erect a high-rise residential tower right in the middle of the downtown historic district across from Smothers Park. The most recent concept involved the block that includes the Bates Building. In early 2008, Lexington, KY, preservationists were fighting a proposed tower that would obliterate an entire downtown block of historic buildings. We compare the Lexington downtown situation to Owensboro's in this article: Downtown Towers Threaten Historic Districts.

Fortunely, none of these Owensboro tower plans have panned out so far. And, they will be prohibited under the new Placemaking Initiative Master Plan. It will likely recommend a 4-6 story height limit in the historic core district, with disincentives for demolishing key historic buildings, such as the Bates. Read more about planning for historic core design standards in Downtown Historic Districts below.

Old Trinity Centre ▪ 1875 ▪ 407 W 5th St

 Old Trinity Centre was "Trinity Episcopal Church," and it was the first site in Daviess County to be listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1972. It is home to Theatre Workshop of Owensboro (TWO). In 2004 TWO spent $5,900 to repair the Old Trinity Centre’s slate roof, supported by a grant of $3,000 from Preservation Alliance. PA’s offer stipulated that the building be registered as a local historic landmark under the review authority of the Owensboro Historic Preservation Board (OHPB), which oversees preservation of local historic districts and landmarks. In January 2009, TWO applied to the OHPB for local designation as a historic landmark; PA has offerred TWO another grant of $1,500 to help in tuck-pointing the brick on the oldest brick church building in the city.

Owensboro Armory ▪ 1947 ▪ 1501 W Parrish Ave

The Owensboro Armory sits on land that was originally part of Moreland Park. The modern-style building opened in 1949 and since then has been used both for military activities and for community events. In 2002 it was listed in the National Register of Historic Places along with its twin in Ashland, Kentucky. Read about the Armory's history here... http://kynghistory.ky.gov/places/owensboroarmory.htm.

In a conceptual plan for Moreland Park shown in a Messenger-Inquirer newspaper article in October 2008, the city suggested that once the National Guard moves to a new location, this historic building would be demolished and replaced by a storm water detention basin.

Before taking such a drastic and final action with the Armory, the city should study the building for its adaptability for alternative uses. Too often Owensboro rashly tears down old buildings without considering their significance as cultural artifacts. We are too quick to dump our community's physical history.

TAKE A SURVEY ABOUT THE FUTURE OF THE ARMORY...
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SAVED
Architectural and cultural treasures that are being preserved

Our community is thankful to the owners who are caring for these historic buildings.

Smith-Werner ▪ 1880s facade (1860s) ▪ 118-124 W 2nd St

Daviess County Fiscal Court owned this building between October 2000 and February 2009, and spend some $400,000 rehabilitating the oldest building in downtown. The 1880s distinctive Italianate façade, which has been rehabilitated, is one of the last remaining and most extensive examples of 19th century pressed-metal technology in the downtown area. The rear wall of the 1860s structure was rebuilt. In the summer of 2008 the county marketed the rehabilitated building. In July 2005, a committee appointed by Daviess County Fiscal Court issued its report on options for future use. In 2009, the new owners, Larry and Rosemary Conder plan to finish the structure into first-floor retail and upper-level residential units.

Elmer Miller House ▪ 1905 ▪ 301 E 5th St

In July 2006, owner Larry Kirk and family begun rehabilitating this jewel of Old Owensboro. The house has several windows with elaborate beveled glass and a beautiful transom above the French doors on the front porch. The Kirks plans to open a fine restaurant and catering service in the restored house.

In October 2007 the Miller House sufferred extensive damage from the downtown tornado. Mr. Kirk is undaunted and continues his renovtions (see the damaged rear of house below).

Read about downtown buildings hit by the Octorber 2007 tornado.

John Hampden Smith House ▪ 1860 ▪ 901 Frederica St

John Hampden Smith House, the decorative arts wing of the Owensboro Museum of Fine Art, underwent an extensive renovation during 2005-2006, following a devastating fire. Preservation Alliance donated $1,000 to the Phoenix Rising campaign, which in part renovated the historic house in accordance with national historic preservation standards.

Haphazard ▪ Pre Civil War ▪ 717 Pleasant Valley Rd

Haphazard is an antebellum private residence. In 2001 PA held its annual meeting at Haphazard.

Montgomery House & Ray's Cottage ▪ 318-326 Saint Elizabeth St

Montgomery House & Ray's Cottage are Victorian houses in the 300 block of Saint Elizabeth St and are used a business offices and retail space. Several years ago, Parker Leasing did extensive rehabilitation to the two buildings.

RiverPark Center 

RiverPark Center houses performing arts, the International Bluegrass Music Museum, the Owensboro Symphony Academy, and the Convention & Visitors Bureau. The entire RPC block has been designated as a local historic preservation district and is subject to design review compliance. PA supports the Owensboro Historic Preservation Board in its effort to expand the boundaries of the local "Old Owensboro Historic Business District" to include other buildings in the National Register Owensboro Historic Downtown Commercial District.

Barret-Fisher

Barret-Fisher building has undergone a signficant structural and facade renovation and is currently for lease; it features an iron and pressed-metal storefront by City Foundry and Machine Works of Owensboro. It is a contributing building within the expanded Owensboro Historic Downtown Commercial District, which is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

E 2nd St Arts District ▪ Early 1900s ▪ 300-400 block E 2nd St

Owner Terry Woodward has made significant renovations to several buildings including the Barret-Fisher and Coca-Cola (left). The city and Woodward jointly extended streetscape improvements from J R Miller Blvd to Clay St. The two blocks are now included in the National Register historic district, with several contributing buildings.

Willow Hill ▪ Established 1821 ▪ 5245 Jones Rd

Willow Hill is a private antebellum house that is listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.

The 5.812 acres are private and quiet. The home is square cut yellow poplar covered in clapboard. There is a saltbox addition across the back. The original logs are exposed in several rooms. It is approximately 2,200 square feet, has 3-4 bedrooms, 2 full baths, living room, eat-in kitchen, family room, several fireplaces and more.

Much of the history of the home has been preserved and is available. The home has been approved for a bed and breakfast and gift shop.
   

FALLEN
Architectural and historical features that have been demolished

J.Z. MOORE Historic District

The J Z Moore Historic District has been listed in the National Register of Historic Places since the 1980s. In April 2001 it received local historic designation as the "J.Z. Moore Historic Preservation District.".

Now, any major alterations to a building on the front half of a lot must meet 5 out of a set of 8 standards as administered by the Owensboro Historic Preservation Board (OHPB).

These include roof pitch, porch size/placement, decorative trimwork, width of structure, ground floor height, exterior siding material, front door size/placement, and dormer size/placement. Under the ordinance, color cannot be regulated.

Contact OHPB Administrator Fred Reeves at the Downtown Development Authority, phone 270-926-4339.

DOWNTOWN OWENSBORO Historic Districts

Preservation Alliance has been especially focused on Downtown Owensboro. The Downtown Core, including the Owensboro Historic Downtown Commercial District, which is listed in the National Register of Historic Places, has been subject to a set of design guidelines originally adopted in 1990. These guidelines were administered most recently by the Owensboro Historic Preservation Board. Design review was mandatory for building alterations, but compliance was only voluntary. The Owensboro Historic Downtown Commercial District was expanded effective 2005-07-26 to include several more blocks in the downtown area. The expanded area includes the original 1982 “Main St” district and the "Doctors Row" district along W 4th St just east of Frederica.

New Regulatory Design Standards: In the fall of 2009, new zoning regulations were adopted that incorporate regulatory (mandatory) design standards for not only the old Downtown Core, but for the entire downtown area. These new zoning regulations are designed to implement the Downtown Placemaking Initiative Master Plan that the city adopted in 2008. The Owensboro Historic Downtown Commercial District is now locally designated in the zoning regulations as the Historic Core Character District, and is subject to strict regulatory design standards and limitations on frivilous demolition.

Click on the map below to open an 11" X 8.5" PDF version of the Downtown Overlay District Regulating Plan 221KB.   

2008-2009 Downtown Planning: The "We-The-People/ America Speaks" meeting in November 2007 showed that the citizens of Owensboro-Daviess County believe that our community should focus on revitalizing downtown. The city & county governments moved forward with a significant planning effort during 2008 that resulted in a Downtown Placemaking Initiative Master Plan by Gateway Planning Associates. In early 2009, the city & county raised insurance premium tax rates to provide a funding source for the nearly $80 million public investment called for by the plan. And, in March 2009, the city purchased the 17-acre Executive Inn site for $5 million with plans to redevelopment this important riverfront property as an integral part of the overall riverfront and downtown master plans.

Adjacency Predictability: An important principle of the downtown plan is "adjacency predictability" -- the concept that investors in downtown want some certainty that all investors will be held to a high-standard of design quality, in order to achieve the common benefits of an improved downtown. This concept necessitated the adoption of regulatory design standards that are now applied through zoning overlay districts and a Downtown Design Review Process. The Owensboro Historic Preservation Board acts as an appeals board for owners who cannot come to agreement with the Downtown Design Administrator.

Downtown Demolitions

Between 1982 and 2008, 14 documented historic buildings were demolished within the Downtown Core: 11 that contributed to the character of the National Register Owensboro Historic Downtown Commercial District and 3 others that were eligible to be or were listed on the National Register individually. See the maps below. Here is a more detailed report.