Council staff preview nomination to designate former North Main power plant an endangered landmark

City historic-preservation staff told the council they will present a resolution to nominate the former power plant at 411 North Main Street as a "highly significant endangered" landmark, a designation that would require review of future exterior changes and could make the property eligible for a local historic-site tax exemption for up to 15 years.

Lorelei Willett, the staff presenter, said the building has been vacant for more than two decades and described the HSE (highly significant endangered) status as similar in effect to a regular landmark designation but with the potential benefit of a 15-year historic-site tax exemption. "The implications are that any future exterior changes ... would need to be reviewed by either my office or the Historic and Cultural Landmarks Commission," Willett said.

Council members discussed recent outreach and coordination. One council member noted prior conversations involving the city manager and regional partners including TRWD and Tarrant County Community College about redevelopment and sale possibilities; staff said preservation clarity would help inform consistent redevelopment approaches because much of the surrounding land is owned by TRWD and partners.

Staff said property owners seeking development flexibility could still apply for exemptions or tax incentives through the historic-site process but that exterior changes would be routed through the preservation review process. The item will appear on a future council agenda as a resolution for formal action; Willett and council members framed the measure as balancing historic preservation and future redevelopment options.