The Bowling Green Historic Preservation Commission hopes to make North Maple Street a historic neighborhood.
There are 25 structures in the two blocks running north from West Wooster Street to Conneaut Avenue, with most of them built in the late 1880s or early 1900s.
“There’s been a lot of major city officials who have lived on those two blocks,” said commission Chairman John Sampen at the July meeting.
Past residents include former city mayor and council member E.J. Frowine; John Edward Shatzel, former city mayor who BGSU’s Shatzel Hall is named after; Edwin Mosely, who BGSU’s Mosely Hall is named after; poet and author Michael Mott, whose biography “The Seven Mountains of Thomas Merton” said a runner-up for a Pulitzer; and former health commissioner Dr. Harley Powell.
Many of the homes can be classified as “gable front with a wing” with a folk Victorian design. At least one house has been identified as a representative of the “Eastlake movement” of the Queen Anne style and a second is an example of colonial revival.
The commission’s next meeting is Aug. 27 at 4 p.m. in council’s chambers. A public hearing is planned on the proposal, giving residents an opportunity to learn the requirements in the event they want to make any major changes to their homes.
“I think we’re being as gentle as we can with the requirements,” Sampen said. “If we want to keep those two blocks looking like they do right now, perhaps this is the only way that can happen.”
Sampen lives on the street, so he said he will limit his comments at the public hearing.
A letter has been mailed to residents in the two blocks, alerting them of the hearing.
The letter explained the designation represents “an effort to preserve historic areas of the city which possess historical significance through distinctive architectural styles of the period of homes were built and exemplifies the cultural, economic, social, political or social heritage of the city.”
Several points make the area applicable for a historic district, including the homes are at least 50 years old, they possess historic significance, they can be identified with a person who influenced society, they embody a distinctive characteristic of an architectural type, and they are a visual feature of the neighborhood.
A survey was conducted in January and results will be shared at the public hearing.
It will take city council approval to designate the area as historic.
Also at the meeting, Sampen gave an update on the 16 historic signs placed throughout the city.
“There is a lot of information there and they look terrific,” he said, and praised the committee members who worked on the project.
“They look great, they’re beautiful,” said commission member Christina Tracy.
Also at the meeting, the commission:
• Was given an update on South Main School. Member Geoff Howes said he got a response from the owner saying it was shocking it was one of the oldest schools still standing in the county. The owner said he has tried to sell it and is considering turning part of it into a hostel, Howes said.
“It’s an idea, but I don’t know how feasible it is,” said commission member Heidi Reger.
The school, built in 1900, is listed for sale for $350,000.
“We are not in a position to do very much except support the saving of that building,” said Sampen.
• Heard the owner of the former hospital at 416 W. Wooster St. plans to divide the home into two units.
Sampen said it is good the home will be saved and not torn down.
• Learned the owners of the former windmill at 503 Buttonwood, built in 1888, have consented to designate the building as historic. It will go to council for vote.
