[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6588802,"mediaKeyId","5548948-04a736a046ff947a528de3c4318bf7a0","parentId",5548948,"title","Public commenters urge Landmarks Board to consider Silver Saddle designation after Planning Board referral to council","audioSeconds",288,"startMs",435000,"endMs",723000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5548948-04a736a046ff947a528de3c4318bf7a0&start=435&end=723","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5548948-04a736a046ff947a528de3c4318bf7a0/thumbnail_435000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6588802/Boulder/Boulder-County/Colorado/Public-commenters-urge-Landmarks-Board-to-consider-Silver-Saddle-designation-after-Planning-Board-referral-to-council","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6588802-51f19feb6d89ec155d0b92f4b605814b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770490948&Signature=U4m86dTFXWOIBS-BrSYzFYtUskO4Ur~4bzwc1LS3kqjX83U1EBOlHC~o6-JUe6NnQfhUb6I6OT45ma2YvZG40eCwW5EfeJJqtwCPD~wx8iU2I7bZbDNwrSckeDOOQehDKrQ7OkN9lM8btFilref~M5FRNQHLIFTKCk8opewKKG33XlW764dO~RKRs9WwmNPGkaJER8pbdmvEiC2JGSHD0e8niAuPSXitfaEE3MPGwAoXp9PPQmjwD7crcowGcgIzzhjrDiZvmycLB1422IIDAjRYtvN7Dtb4RZcfcjmSbH4PMB9t2PMmpAhTT53Phi2E55ZDj8kl68lnc0fMCmWEvw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Boulder City, CO","date","2025-08-08T01:22:28.107Z","article","Two members of the public asked the Landmarks Board Aug. 6 to consider the Silver Saddle Hotel after the Planning Board recommended that City Council remove the property’s landmark designation and related annexation‑agreement amendments.

Patrick O’Rourke told the Landmarks Board he spoke at the Planning Board the prior night and said the Planning Board voted 6‑0 to remove the Silver Saddle Hotel from landmark designation after the owner altered the building and removed more than 51% of the façade, in O’Rourke’s account. He urged the Landmarks Board to add the matter to its agenda and to consider whether the property’s condition merited review or action.

Planning and comprehensive planning staff told the board they would attend the City Council meeting that has the call up for the property, which staff said is scheduled for Aug. 21. Christopher Johnson, comprehensive planning manager, explained that the Planning Board issues recommendations to Council on annexation‑agreement amendments, and that council does not have authority to remove a landmark designation on its own; a revision to landmark designation would need to come back to the Landmarks Board for discussion and recommendation before council could act on it.

Staff said Planning’s recommendation to council is separate from the landmark‑designation process, and that the city’s staff will coordinate comments and attend the council meeting. Board members asked whether staff could provide additional context at a later meeting if the council agenda item proceeds.

No formal action was taken by the Landmarks Board on this matter during the Aug. 6 meeting; staff encouraged members of the public and board members to attend the Aug. 21 City Council meeting if they wished to follow the item.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","8-6-25 Landmarks Board Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Speakers told the Landmarks Board the Planning Board voted to recommend removal of the Silver Saddle Hotel landmark designation and urged the Landmarks Board to review or advise; planning staff said they will attend the Aug. 21 City Council meeting and that council cannot remove a landmark designation without the Landmarks Board.","taxTitle","Boulder, Boulder County, Colorado","taxId",3386,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6588805,"Historic preservation staff present new research on civic‑area displacement, spotlighting previously overlooked residents",1288,5256000,6544000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5548948-04a736a046ff947a528de3c4318bf7a0&start=5256&end=6544","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5548948-04a736a046ff947a528de3c4318bf7a0/thumbnail_5256000.jpg","/articles/6588805/Boulder/Boulder-County/Colorado/Historic-preservation-staff-present-new-research-on-civicarea-displacement-spotlighting-previously-overlooked-residents","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6588805-0b04d7e7cee8def69b16e0610cf7791f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770490948&Signature=mZybU6IdZxCQVGYc861QYhvBbuWo6muqYYuVp8LuwDXlBtOvNGajpgeL1TptXDNx4BSNCL-zon9PlTDkkGIMxoV5LOnqj-h9twEMoA~Oi2d-NcYI9mLYQjFA7v519PI5eh~tQnkneyRp72UdlU87Us9yv9RVnql3WQvtwev3IFa2EO4fVDwvYmXjmPdFFcSogdsESw2pNXBUvP8tr1DKV2B06dC7FRng9r9us834x8Fqmw7ah7nlC05rvXJGKTDdm7w4xnxkHR1rYDMRr5p8cfHFV9SL6navRjqXnPIrSNQNL8dO03bGld16wKyTVZoIEgcqufD708V17sGgIxLyKA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City of Boulder historic preservation staff presented new research Aug. 6 that changes the historical narrative for the civic area (the municipal center and Central Park), finding evidence that residents — including Black landowners — were displaced as the city implemented long‑range park plans in the early 20th century.

Claire (Historic Preservation Program staff) summarized archival maps, Sanborn fire insurance maps and contemporary newspaper material that show the area north of Boulder Creek was an established neighborhood from the late 19th century into the 1910s and 1920s. The research documents land ownership, family residences and purchases by the city between 1918 and 1923 as the municipality implemented plans influenced by Frederick Law Olmsted Jr.

The presentation highlighted Molly Gordon, whom staff say obtained a legal deed in 1890 and was the first independent Black woman documented to own land in Boulder. Staff told the board that earlier narratives and widely reprinted images presented the civic‑area lots as temporary shacks and a ‘‘jungle’’ used to rationalize displacement; primary sources show more substantial homes, family networks and commercial activities, including junk dealers and other small businesses.

Staff described a pattern in which contemporary reporting and subsequent retellings used demeaning or judgmental language — including racialized tropes — to justify removal of residents and replacement of the neighborhood with parkland. Examples cited included the relocation of houses for railroad or park projects and payment amounts that differed sharply from owners’ stated valuations. Staff said Jenny Johnson, a Black property owner, requested $10,000 for her house in 1921 and was ultimately paid $7.50 seven years later; other families moved out or were bought out as the park commission purchased lots.

Board members praised the archival work and said the research broadened understanding of local history. Several members said the findings underline the need to question longstanding narratives and to document the city’s past in a way that includes marginalized residents. Staff said they will continue similar primary‑source research in other neighborhoods and present additional findings to the board in future meetings.

The board did not take action on the research presentation; it was offered as an informational update under matters.","City preservation staff presented research showing the municipal center and Central Park were created in part by displacing longstanding residents; the research highlights previously unreported Black land ownership and municipal-era narratives used to justify removals.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6588808,"Boulder Landmarks Board approves demolition of 1920 house at 2747 Fourth Street",3436,857000,4293000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5548948-04a736a046ff947a528de3c4318bf7a0&start=857&end=4293","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5548948-04a736a046ff947a528de3c4318bf7a0/thumbnail_857000.jpg","/articles/6588808/Boulder/Boulder-County/Colorado/Boulder-Landmarks-Board-approves-demolition-of-1920-house-at-2747-Fourth-Street","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6588808-4da1ee10f84c131077c20480ff2c257e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770490948&Signature=j9MRLrtZU5v-Xdt0ufZjNZdaYp3WapAuJ4zU3PlFvRXkuoQdy0aUq0j~rvCMZp~GAii1RKLj~hOnH2qsMnMbaVu-ouoALLWxdMSndYSWiP1lXkrKuqEnBapCXp25DPyJ65Wg8CZj8wTz2JqcmBVlZ6oH5DK-4snB9wMptmTWay~yu701FwrejIfKgofcIl5L01I3e6MFg8Uhp5ZX4DYMIF304rTktaGes16Z6T3nzgXHa4YOLAE~mpuxy-c6aWTDrwtjbGLdxrF9oSkEB1pBQJNqcPBPSh1405W92TLy7d4cwvcZCf0KRHySg8DVrOFw2qaCsKb6fR3cheuHaMq0dA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Boulder Landmarks Board on Aug. 6 approved an application to demolish a house constructed about 1920 at 2747 Fourth Street after staff concluded the building is in poor condition and that restoration would be unreasonably costly.

The board voted to approve the demolition following a staff recommendation and testimony from the owner, Jacqueline Wade, who described the house as uninhabitable and said she intends to build a new home to care for her medically fragile son.

Marcy Gerwing, principal historic preservation planner, told the board the application is a quasi‑judicial demolition review governed by Boulder Revised Code section 9‑11‑23 and related procedures. Staff found the building may be eligible as an individual landmark but that it suffers from a failing shallow rubble foundation, extensive masonry cracking and mold after a January–February 2025 pipe burst. Chief Building Official Rob Andreas inspected the property and determined it is not fit to occupy as currently constructed.

Gerwing said the board may either approve demolition or place a stay of demolition for up to 180 days to allow alternatives to be explored. Staff reviewed recent demolition-review cases and presented a typical range of rehabilitation costs of roughly $200,000 to $700,000 and higher in some instances; staff concluded the projected costs here likely make rehabilitation prohibitive and recommended approval of the demolition application.

Owner Jacqueline Wade described efforts she and contractors had made to repair the property since she purchased it in 2011. Wade said the house has dangerous indoor air quality and lacks running water after the recent pipe burst. She told the board she plans a new multigenerational house that would allow her family to remain in Boulder.

Several members of the public urged the board to place a stay of demolition to allow more time to seek preservation options. Fran Sheets said demolishing a house in this condition “puts the purpose of this entire program in jeopardy.” Catherine Barth asked the board to use the full 180‑day stay so solutions might be found.

Contractor Tyrone McKnight, who inspected the structure, told the board the foundation and framing were extensively rotted and that mold tests returned positive results. He recommended demolition based on his experience with restoration and reconstruction work.

During deliberations board members acknowledged the house’s historic qualities and its place in the neighborhood’s character. But several members cited the current structural problems, the recent water damage, the building official’s assessment that the house is unfit for occupancy, and rising construction and remediation costs in supporting staff’s recommendation to approve demolition.

Board member John Decker said a combination of environmental factors and the February water event left the structure “marginal at best” for rehabilitation. Board member Chelsea Castellano and Chair Renee Golubic also supported the staff recommendation. Board member Abby Daniels recorded an abstention during the roll call; board members noted city code limits abstentions absent a conflict and that the abstention would be recorded as an affirmative vote for the motion. Board member Michael Ray voted no. The motion carried with three affirmative votes and one negative recorded.

The board approved the application and adopted the findings in the staff memorandum. Marcy Gerwing told the applicant the approval is valid for one year (until Aug. 6, 2026) to finalize a deconstruction permit; if no deconstruction permit is obtained within one year the applicant would need to submit a new historic preservation application. Deconstruction/permitting timeframes described by staff may allow one to two years to complete removal once permits are issued.

Because the board’s review examined the building as it exists today, members stressed the decision did not address what might be built on the lot afterward. The board’s decision rested on criteria in the Boulder Revised Code regarding eligibility for landmark designation, condition, and the reasonableness of restoration costs.","The Landmarks Board approved an application to demolish a 1920 house at 2747 Fourth Street in the Newlands neighborhood, finding restoration costs likely prohibitive; approval includes one-year period to obtain deconstruction permitting.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Public commenters urge Landmarks Board to consider Silver Saddle designation after Planning Board referral to council

Historic preservation staff present new research on civic‑area displacement, spotlighting previously overlooked residents

Boulder Landmarks Board approves demolition of 1920 house at 2747 Fourth Street