More of Crawfordsville’s downtown will be preserved and protected with action taken by the Crawfordsville Common Council.
On Monday, the city council members adopted an ordinance that designates an area in the downtown as the Main-Green Local Historic District.
Prior to the final vote, Councilman Mike Reidy said “what is good for the downtown is good for the city and the county as a whole.”
The ordinance passed unanimously with a 6-0 vote. Councilwoman Jennifer Lowe was not in attendance.
Sue Lucas, director of Crawfordsville Main Street, thanked the council for its support and for the passage of this ordinance. She said the designation will help foster partnerships between downtown property owners seeking to repair or rehabilitate their historic buildings and the city’s Historic Preservation Commission. Emily Race, a commission member, also offered her gratitude to council members for acting.
During a previous meeting in June, Lucas explained how the local historic designation will continue to encourage a culture of preservation choices in the community and ensure downtown investors and developers that the city sees its downtown core as an asset worthy of protection.
The addition of the Main-Green Local Historic District makes a total of seven designated districts within the city. The other six are Pike-Washington, Montgomery County Courthouse, Ben Hur Building, U.S. Post Office, Crawfordsville Municipal Building and the Crawfordsville Masonic Temple.
In other business, the council:
• Adopted an ordinance making an additional appropriation of $20,000 for the Crawfordsville Street Department to repair a trash truck.
• Adopted an ordinance making an additional appropriation of $421,318 for the city’s match for the Community Crossing Paving Program.
• Approved a resolution for the Crawfordsville Plan Commission and Housing Program.
• Approved the first reading of an ordinance adopting a new economic development rider for Crawfordsville Electric Light and Power. Two additional readings are required.
• Approved a resolution designating an Economic Revitalization Area and approving tax abatement for Mercury Real Estate Holdings.
• Approved resolutions for the following property owners that indicate each is in substantial compliance for tax abatement purposes: International Paper; Historic Whitlock; Crawfordsville Solar Array (2,3,4); and Indiana Municipal Power Association.
• Adopted an ordinance prohibiting the use of compression release engine brakes (“Jake Brakes”) within the city.
• Adopted an ordinance changing the zoning classification for 59.32 acres of real estate located 1/2 mile south of C.R. 150S on U.S. 231S.
