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City seeks National Register listings for Pasture Pointe and Old Wythe after citywide survey
Summary
Consultants and city staff told council that Pasture Pointe and Old Wythe meet National Register criteria (events and architecture) and that Pasture Pointe's nomination is near final while Old Wythe remains in field survey; the work aims to bring tax incentives and recognition to neighborhoods.
City planning staff and consultants from the Autry Group briefed the council on a citywide historic-resources survey and National Register nominations for two neighborhoods.
Michael Canty described a cost-shared survey with the state and said the work would support tax-credit incentives for homeowners who rehabilitate properties to federal standards. "In Hampton, we currently have 3 districts and 2, in progress," Canty said, and he explained that the Pasture Pointe and Old Wythe nominations grew from reconnaissance and photographic surveys. Jill Dowling of the Autry Group told the council Pasture Pointe's nomination is at the state for review and that Old Wythe remains in the field with about 80% of survey work complete.
Consultants recommended National Register eligibility under Criteria A (association with significant events and community planning) and C (distinctive architecture). They described periods of significance and proposed boundaries for both districts; Pasture Pointe's period begins in 1885 and Old Wythe's spans roughly 1880'1953. Staff and consultants said National Register listing is primarily an incentive that can unlock state and federal tax credits but does not by itself impose local design controls unless the city later adopts local preservation ordinances.
Council members asked for further neighborhood outreach, clarification of which commercial and civic structures would be included, and details on how local preservation commissions or design guidelines might function in the future. Staff said they will continue community meetings and return with refined nominations.
