Commission receives Wilkinson House preservation plan, will consider designation next month

Commission staff provided commissioners with a draft preservation plan for the Wilkinson House and told the body it would not be put to a vote at the current meeting; staff asked commissioners to review the document and prepare to consider adoption at the next meeting.

Staff said the property carries a restrictive covenant to Indiana Landmarks and that the organization notified the buyers as part of the purchase agreement. The commission’s staff report noted that the document uses the same template as previous preservation plans and is tailored to the Wilkinson House’s brick construction and known history. Staff also said they were working on a nomination of the property to the National Register of Historic Places.

Commissioners were told the Wilkinson property had been marketed to multiple developers; one developer agreed to demolish, a second proposed reuse of the house while developing the surrounding acreage, and a third agreed to not alter the house and ultimately conveyed the property to Indiana Landmarks. Neighbors Matt and Aaron (surname in record: Uber) made an offer and closed on the property in September; staff said the new owners plan a full restoration that staff hopes will conclude the commission’s multi-year review and protection efforts.

The staff presentation included a note that an Indiana Landmarks covenant is recorded on the property and that the preservation plan will help future owners understand coordination requirements with both the commission and Indiana Landmarks. Staff said they will return next month with a staff report and a recommended motion for adoption and subsequent city council action if the commission votes to designate the property.

Why it matters: adopting a preservation plan is a common step toward local designation; staff said finalizing the plan and local protections would conclude a long preservation effort dating back several years.