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HISTORIC PRESERVATION History in the making City considers new historic district in west Medford with 800 homes Comment By Damian Mann Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Posted Mar. 31, 2015 at 5:47 PM Updated Apr 1, 2015 at 9:48 AM By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Posted Mar. 31, 2015 at 5:47 PM Updated Apr 1, 2015 at 9:48 AM --> Historic districts in Medford • Downtown Historic District • South Oakdale Historic District • Corning Court Ensemble • Geneva-Minnesota District... » Read more X Historic districts in Medford • Downtown Historic District • South Oakdale Historic District • Corning Court Ensemble • Geneva-Minnesota District   » Social News Jean Morgan has tended the gardens around her west Medford farmhouse for 50 years, watching the world change all around her. “This old place is historic,” the 73-year-old said, standing on the porch of the two-story, yellow and brown house with rose bushes lining the walkway. Morgan’s early 1900s-era house near McLoughlin Middle School — along with some 800 other houses in a west Medford neighborhood — could become part of an officially recognized historic district known as Summit-Fairmount. The city of Medford is about to undertake a comprehensive review of its codes relating to the demolition of historic houses, creating buffer zones around historic districts and possibly designating previously unrecognized districts such as Summit-Fairmount to the west of McLoughlin Middle School. “The best neighborhoods in Medford are in west Medford,” said George Kramer, a local history expert who reviewed the Summit-Fairmount district for the city of Medford in 2013. He said the kinds of houses found in the neighborhood, particularly the older bungalow and craftsman styles, are popular in major metropolitan areas, as well as in Ashland and Jacksonville. In many larger cities such as Portland, residents pride themselves on telling others what district they live in, Kramer said. “People like living in historic areas,” he said. The city has received a $12,000 federal matching grant to review its historic codes. The money will help pay for a consultant who will conduct public outreach and prepare suggestions to change Medford’s code to better protect historic homes. A major component of the grant is to create signs and other ways of identifying such districts. On the city’s website, www.ci.medford.or.us/SectionIndex.asp?SectionID=576 , there is a section devoted to Medford’s history, including the survey of the Summit-Fairmount district, roughly bounded on the north by Jackson Street, on the south by West Main Street, on the east by North Oakdale Avenue and on the west just past Columbus Avenue. A 1910 advertisement for the Summit subdivision boasted that it was an easy seven-minute walk to downtown. Lots were sold for $750 and $900. Houses were designed in popular styles of the time including bungalow, craftsman, Victorian and Spanish. The Medford Landmarks and Historic Preservation Commission has been leading the discussion about historic homes and will work with the consultant. “The commission’s mandate is to essentially protect and maintain Medford’s history,” Kramer said. “A successful program works with property owners to maintain the character of the neighborhood.” In years past, some historic buildings have been demolished in Medford, and the city will consider codes that might better protect them. In the Geneva-Minnesota Historic District in east Medford, residents objected to a proposal to build a multistory retirement center on East Main Street because it would loom over their houses. The residents eventually prevailed, but the city realized historic districts don’t have enough protection against surrounding developments. The city currently has four designated historic districts, including Geneva-Minnesota, Corning Court Ensemble, Downtown Historic District and South Oakdale Historic District. Carla Paladino, a Medford planner, said requests for proposals should be delivered to the city by April 3. Once the consultant is hired, Paladino said, the city would like to work with people in historic districts to decide on a direction for the city. “We’re hoping to get good community feedback,” she said. Many residents in the Summit-Fairmount area were unaware the city was thinking of making their homes part of a historic district. Ramona Rosales has lived in her distinctive brown and red brick house in west Medford for 47 years. She said her home was built in 1925, but she never thought it as historic before. “But, I guess that’s what it is really,” she said. “I think this is one of the oldest neighborhoods in Medford.” Reach reporter Damian Mann at 541-776-4476 or d [email protected] . Follow on Twitter at @reporterdm . By Damian Mann Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Posted Mar. 31, 2015 at 5:47 PM Updated Apr 1, 2015 at 9:48 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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