Louisville’s City Council voted to unanimously designate two properties as historic landmarks and awarded a grant and a loan to go toward preservation and restoration of one of the properties.
Amelia Brackett Hogstad, historic preservation planner, presented the two properties to the Council during the regular meeting Tuesday.
Hogstad presented 929 Parkview St., which will be known as the Madonna Homestead. The property is in the Frenchtown neighborhood, but the Madonna Homestead is not affiliated with a French family. Bridget Bacon, coordinator at the Louisville Historical Museum, provided information about the Madonna Homestead. Bacon states in documents presented to the Council that the home is on property that used to be the garden for the Madonna home at 491 County Road. Members of the Madonna family have owned the property since 1919.
The Madonna Homestead was built in 1952, according to Boulder County Assessor records. Hogstad said the property meets the city’s criteria for historical significance and qualifies for a historic landmark. To meet that criteria, property must be: older than 50 years; have architectural, social and geographic importance; and have its physical integrity evaluated by the city.
The applicant requested $51,974 for the preservation and restoration grant. The grant request is for “extraordinary circumstances,” as the maximum grant allowance is $40,000. The grant is in addition to the $5,000 signing bonus for landmarking the structure and a $4,000 grant for the Historic Structure Assessment previously approved for the property. The applicant also requested a $51,974 loan from the city, which was approved in addition to the grant.
Councilmember Caleb Dickinson said he has restored a historic home. He noted the historic landmark program in Louisville is important, to help keep the city’s history. Councilmember Barbara Hamlington also noted that she landmarked her home.
“It is no small task: logistically, financially, timewise. So thank you for your investment in maintaining the charm of our community,” Hamlington said.
Hogstad also presented 1209 Main St., to be known as the Colacci House, and a request to subdivide the property into two lots. Bacon said the Colacci House was the first Louisville home owned by Mike Colacci, and he and his wife, Mary, founded the Blue Parrot Restaurant. Jim Colacci, Mike Colacci’s brother, then became the sole owner of the house after co-owning with his brother. The property was the site of Jim Colacci’s poultry business and thought to be a location for bootlegging during Prohibition.
Hogstad states the house is at least 60 years old, and meets the criteria to be named a historic landmark. The historical landmark designation also includes a $5,000 grant. The Council also approved 6-0 to divide the Colacci House site into two lots. Councilmember Maxine Most was not in attendance.
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