Berkeley Iceland News - BAHA's National Register Nomination Hearing set for 30 July

Earlier this year, the Berkeley Architectural Heritage Association (BAHA) nominated Berkeley Iceland for listing on the National Register of Historic Places.  As the 70th anniversary of Berkeley Iceland's opening approaches, the recognition of Berkeley Iceland in history and the community will be heard later this Summer providing the opportunity to the public to voice their views.  Like the Berkeley Landmark Preservation Ordinance, listing on the National Register does not preserve the use as an ice rink, but it does provide access to funding sources for preservation and repurposing which owners can take advantage of for developing historic sites. 

The California State Historic Preservation Commission (SHPC), the State agency responsible for National listings in California, has announced that the nomination for Berkeley Iceland is scheduled for hearing on July 30, 2010, at the Sacramento City Hall.  Related to this nomination, the Berkeley Landmark Preservation Commission has included the nomination on its agenda for their next meeting on July 1.  Both of these hearings are open to public comment, both written and in person (addresses for the meetings and written comments are below).

Like the Berkeley Landmark Ordinance, listing on the National Register is not based solely on architectural merit, though this is one criteria which the LPC recognized in the Berkeley Designation.  National Register listings are based on National Register Criteria for Evaluation (quoting from the official SHRC website):

• Age and Integrity. Is the property old enough to be considered historic (generally at least 50 years old) and does it still look much the way it did in the past?
• Significance. Is the property associated with events, activities, or developments that were important in the past? With the lives of people who were important in the past?

National Register listing on its own does not place restrictions on use or deposition of Berkeley Iceland and it will not be listed if the owners object.

Eligibility for the National Register, whether it is listed or not, does provide owners with access to funding sources and tax advantages used by creative developers for projects to restore historic sites, like Berkeley Iceland.  For many owners and communities, this makes it possible to return valuable historic assets to a community.  Recent shining examples of projects using their historic status for funding restorations are the Oakland Fox Theater and the Richmond Plunge.  While there are some state and local ordinances which can inhibit some projects, eligibility for listing on the National Registry is an attractive selling point for a property to buyers with projects intended to build on the historic and architectural heritage of a building.  Listing provides access to tax benefits, which can reduce total cost of the building, and funding sources, which make restoration of historic properties possible.

Save Berkeley Iceland is not participating in either of the hearings in any capacity.  Members of the community are welcome to attend and comment at their own discretion.

Address for Written Comments:
     Jay Claiborne,Secretary
     Berkeley Landmarks Preservation Commission
     2120 Milvia Street,
     Berkeley, CA 94704

     State Historical Resources Commission,
     P.O. Box 942896,
     Sacramento, CA 94296-0001

Meeting Details:
Berkeley Landmarks Preservation Commission -
     Date:     Thursday, July 1, 2010
     Time:     7:00 p.m.
     Place:    North Berkeley Senior Center,
                   1901 Hearst Avenue, Berkeley, CA
         
State Historical Resources Commission -
      Date:    Friday, July 30, 2010
      Time:    TBA (Agenda Published 10 days before hearing)
      Place:   Sacramento City Hall, 1st floor Council Chambers
                   915 I Street, Sacramento, CA