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Council designates Sampson and Altadena apartments local landmarks to protect historic pre‑WWI buildings
Summary
After public testimony from residents and neighborhood groups, the council adopted an ordinance designating the Sampson and Altadena apartments as local historic landmarks, providing local protections beyond their 2010 National Register listing.
The Salt Lake City Council voted unanimously to designate the Sampson and Altadena apartment buildings (corner of 300 East and 300 South) as local landmarks, a move that grants local protections that the 2010 National Register listing does not.
Several homeowners and neighborhood advocates spoke in favor during the public hearing. Cindy Cromer gave an extended history of the buildings’ preservation and original features; Lauren Fontanilla described purchasing a unit as a first‑time homeowner and stressed the buildings’ architectural craftsmanship and cultural history; Dorothy Hamory recounted personal family connections and described the buildings’ suitability for aging residents; and Travis Starley, representing the Central City Neighborhood Council, emphasized that local designation offers stronger safeguards than the national listing and said current owners have expressed a desire to preserve the structures.
Councilmember Wharton moved to close the public hearing and adopt the ordinance; Councilmember Lopez Chavez seconded. Councilmember Mano spoke in support, noting the timing coincided with an ordinance that takes effect the following day that helped enable the designation. The motion passed unanimously with Councilmember Young absent. The staff report cited the buildings’ 1905 construction by architect August Rudine and noted the buildings’ preservation of original features (windows, porches, interior elements). The owners and condominium association representatives told the council they support designation and do not intend demolition.
Local landmark designation invokes city historic preservation standards and creates a local review process for demolition or substantial alteration, providing protections not available under the National Register listing alone.
