THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, January 19, 1995 TAG: 9501170116
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 02 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY SCOTT McCASKEY, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 84 lines
Colonial Place and Riverview were among the first streetcar suburbs in Norfolk. Now the neighborhoods are looking to identify with their past.
The communities recently were recognized as potential historical districts by Virginia's Department of Historic Resources, and the Colonial Place/Riverview Civic League has voted unanimously to pursue the status.
``The sites are unique in that they have maintained their integrity over time,'' Elizabeth H. Lipford, survey program coordinator for the state agency, told the civic league at a recent meeting. ``They were developed around the river and contours of the land and look much the same now as when they were laid out.''
The neighborhoods date to the turn of the century. Many houses are more than 50 years old and architecturally significant - key requirements for being designated as a historic district.
``I think it would be a great honor and may help improve our property values,'' said Rosemary Zemanian, a Riverview resident.
But being placed on the Virginia Landmarks Register and the National Register of Historic Places is no easy task. The league first must submit a formal application to the Department of Historic Resources. Subsequent to approval, the league then must do an extensive photographic and background inventory of each property before it can qualify for a final application. A majority of residents must approve the measure before the status is granted.
But the residents are up to it.
``We're going to have to take this one rung at a time,'' said Russ Pearson, league president, adding that it's not something that can be done quickly.
According to Mary Miller, a senior planner for the Norfolk Department of City Planning and Codes Administration, an advisory team to the Department of Historic Resources already has recommended preliminary approval. Once that is given, rarely is a neighborhood denied historic designation, Lipford added.
But even when granted, the recognition is only honorary, Lipford said.
``It's largely an honorary title, and it does not necessarily raise property values or taxes,'' she said.
But residents weren't discouraged about it merely being an honorary title.
``When you get an award, that's an honor, but it's still worthwhile,'' said Pat Spriggs, who lives in Riverview. ``Maybe it will make the city appreciate us a little more.''
While there wasn't a nay vote at the meeting, there were questions.
``I would like to know all the rules and regulations as we go into this,'' one resident said. ``I want to cover all the bases.''
Another resident asked if becoming a historic district would mean code constraints and architectural controls.
Lipford said that being listed on the registers does not require conforming to any codes. Miller explained that controls come only when a neighborhood chooses to become a local historical district.
``People's biggest fear is that we're going to put local historic district controls on them, but it's totally up to the neighborhood if they want it or not,'' Miller said.
Colonial Place and Riverview are two of six Norfolk neighborhoods that were recommended for historic status by the state agency. Berkley, Lafayette, North Ghent and Winona are the other locations.
Miller will meet soon with the Ghent Neighborhood League and the Lafayette-Winona Civic League to discuss their plans. Though Lipford said she would be glad to address all the leagues, she has yet to be approached by any of the other neighborhoods.
The proposed Colonial Place historic district comprises 166 acres and is bounded on the east by Llewellyn Avenue, on the south by 38th Street, and on the west and north by Mayflower Road. The Riverview district is 50 acres and bounded on the west by Columbus Avenue and the commercial Granby Street corridor, on the north and east by the Lafayette River, and on the south by 39th Street.
Both areas feature primarily single-family dwellings, displaying a variety of architecture, including Queen Anne, Tudor and Colonial Revival. Riverview was laid out in the late 1800s, Colonial Place during the first decade of the 20th century.
Among the noted properties is the Consolvo House at the corner of Holly Avenue and 42nd Street in Riverview. Home to C.H. Consolvo, a prominent Norfolk businessman in the early 1900s, the imposing structure is designed in a transitional Queen Anne/Colonial Revival style, with a wraparound front porch and view of the river. The Dillard House, at 4105 Newport Ave. in Colonial Place, was built in 1906 and is the oldest home in the neighborhood.
KEYWORDS: HISTORICAL DISTRICTS by CNB