PRESERVATION EFFORTS FOR OLD JEFFERSONVILLE BEGIN
March 2006 - Members of the public who have an interest in preserving the historic character of Old Jeffersonville met with Bridges Project officials on Tuesday, March 14. The meeting was the official kick-off to begin work on the Historic Preservation Plan for the Old Jeffersonville Historic District.
The plan is intended to not only mitigate the impact of the downtown bridge and approach on the Old Jeffersonville Historic District, but provide recommendations on how the community as a whole could retain and preserve historic architecture and integrity of the area. These recommendations could include guidelines for future infill construction and a policy framework regarding land use, transportation and urban design to allow for long term vitality of the area. The plan, which would identify a thematic context for the area, could be used to assist in future historic preservation nominations.
The plan is developed through a process of analysis, design and public input – ensuring the preservation of Old Jeffersonville’s historic integrity.
Approximately 50 people attended the two hour evening meeting. A half-hour open-house period started the meeting, allowing attendees to view exhibit boards defining the historic district, talk with project officials and review materials explaining the status of the Bridges Project.
Pete Fritz, of Community Transportation Solutions – the project’s general engineering consultant – welcomed attendees. After a quick review of the project scope and schedule, Fritz asked attendees to gather in small groups to establish specific issues and priorities for the Old Jeffersonville Historic District. Most attendees were very familiar with the area, as many were residents interested in the Historic Preservation Plan. Each group gathered for about 30 minutes and discussed their ideas and concerns for the area. Then, the entire group discussed the suggestions that were developed in the breakout sessions.
The issues included zoning concerns, construction schedules for the downtown bridge, renovation of unstable buildings and structures, enforcement of existing building codes and the impact of bridge construction on Jeffersonville’s downtown businesses. One attendee suggested a trolley hop event to promote the area’s businesses and historic sites, and another emphasized the desire to see bicycle and walking paths in the district.
The meeting initiates a year of work culminating with the finalized Historic Preservation Plan for the Old Jeffersonville Historic District in early 2007.