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Historic Littleton and HPC discuss Blueprint Boulevard, City Ditch flumes and protections for vulnerable properties
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Summary
At a joint study session April 20, Historic Littleton and the Littleton Historic Preservation Commission discussed collaboration on Blueprint Boulevard, preserving City Ditch flumes, potential renaming of Slaughterhouse Gulch, concerns about Geneva Village and demolition-by-neglect procedures; staff said it will follow up on regulatory tools and process clarification.
Historic Littleton (HLI) and the Littleton Historic Preservation Commission met in a joint study session April 20 to review collaboration opportunities on preservation, outreach and planning work tied to the Blueprint Boulevard project and to discuss preservation priorities across the city.
HLI president Gail Kealy and other HLI leaders outlined priorities including communication and earlier engagement on projects that affect historic resources. Staff described strong turnout at a recent Blueprint Boulevard open house (an estimated 100+ attendees plus substantial online viewers) and encouraged commissioners to use the study process and stakeholder working group to provide early feedback. Staff noted the project will include an existing-conditions analysis and later public engagement components.
A substantive portion of the discussion addressed the City Ditch and surviving flumes. HLI and staff reviewed flume types (metal and wood), the ditch’s origin around 1860 and options for preservation. Staff said recommendations favor stabilizing and interpreting flumes in place (similar to the Slaughterhouse Gulch approach) and that full recirculation of water would be costly and subject to City Council funding decisions.
Commissioners and HLI also raised specific preservation concerns: the boarded Geneva Village site and the condition of the Columbine Mill, both described as vulnerable to vandalism and possible demolition by neglect. Staff confirmed the city code includes a maintenance provision intended to prevent demolition by neglect and said staff will research the process for triggering enforcement and share that guidance with HLI and the commission.
Other topics included streamlining landmarking procedures (staff and HLI proposed code amendments to reduce procedural burden), anticipated changes to historic tax-credit rules for residential and multi-family properties, upcoming outreach events (a mid-mod scavenger hunt May 9 and a 150th depot celebration), and the need for clearer agenda-setting procedures for commissioners. Staff committed to follow up on regulatory options, demolition-by-neglect procedures and coordination on public engagement.
No formal actions or votes were taken in the study session; the discussion generated multiple follow-up tasks for staff and stakeholders.
