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Historic preservation commission to pursue local and national designations for South Main School and Hannah House
Summary
Bowling Green Historic Preservation Commission members agreed to approach property owners about designations and to pursue a National Register nomination for South Main School while considering local designation for the Hannah House; staff warned the National Park Service review may be slow and could delay tax-credit timelines.
Bowling Green’s Historic Preservation Commission discussed next steps Thursday for three candidate properties, agreeing to approach owners about local and National Register nominations and to continue outreach to preserve the former South Main School and the Hannah House.
The commission decided to pursue a National Register nomination for the former South Main School and to begin local-designation outreach for the Hannah House, with commissioners agreeing to contact owners and gather more information before making formal applications.
“ I think at the very least we should as a commission continue to bring that up and support any future ventures,” said Commissioner Jeff Havas during the item on local designations, urging ongoing attention to the South Main building and other possible sites. Staff recommended starting conversations with property owners and providing an overview of the process.
Heather (Staff member) said she had “submitted our application or nomination” to Heritage Ohio and offered to provide owners with materials about the city ordinance that explains the local designation process, recommending the commission give owners a copy of “ordinance 1 58” as an introduction. Heather also cautioned that the National Register review is slower statewide right now and that a National Register listing “might take a while to get through,” which could delay eligibility for federal historic-tax-credit timing that depends on the listing date.
Commissioners listed other candidate sites — the Old Windmill, Corner Grill, Claizelle Theater and other buildings previously discussed — and agreed to prioritize follow-up with owners who have indicated interest. Commissioner John Sampen said the Hannah House owners have expressed interest in designation and that staff or commissioners could approach them about local status and about whether they would consider a National Register nomination.
Several commissioners raised the idea of designating a South Main historic district that could include South Main School, commercial buildings and nearby houses. Resident Jan Knapp encouraged homeowners to contact the commission for support; the commission noted that owner consent and participation are needed for local inventory forms and that several South Main properties are rentals, which would make outreach more labor intensive.
No formal motions to designate properties or to file National Register nominations were made at the meeting; commissioners directed staff to continue owner outreach, provide ordinance and form materials, and return with additional information at a future meeting.
