Historic Designation for FUSD

CITY

STATE

NATIONAL

State
Historical
Fund

for exterior
renovations

State Historical Fund

Up to $200,000 per year for several years
FUSD must re-apply for funding each year
FUSD must provide a 25% match for each application.
SHF provides
FUSD provides
Total project cost

$200,000 (75%)
$ 66,667 (25%)
$266,667 (100%)

Can apply when Landmark Designation has been obtained.

It is competitive, but we have been advised that we have a good
chance.

How We Can Spend SHF $

Roof
Brickwork
Any original windows
Gutters
Stairs
Ramp?

Restrictions
Current improvements can remain (ie, elevator, ramp). If we decide
to replace any of these, there will be restrictions.
A playground could still be a possibility, but would need approval. A
play space that blends in would probably be approved.
Anything done to the exterior would need prior approval from the
City.
Letters of Agreement, Covenants, or Permanent Easements on
property, dependent upon amount of funding received over time.
An electronic marquee would probably not be allowed.
However, it might not be allowed, anyway, because of our location on
a busy corner (a distraction).

Designations
Denver Landmark Designation

State and/or Federal Historical

Designation

Provides access to SHF $ for

exterior renovations

Provides access to SHF $ for

exterior renovations

To obtain

To obtain

Takes 120 days from time of

application
$500 or so (consultant fees)

12 - 24 mos

To Qualify for
City Landmark Designation
Meet one criterion in two categories
HISTORY
ARCHITECTURE
GEOGRAPHY

We Hit the Mark

HISTORY
Congregation was established in 1871, before Colorado was a state
Continuous downtown presence for 145 years
First public kindergarten (????)
The Associated Charities, a forerunner to the United Way, was
established at the church.
Denvers chapter of the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) was housed at
the church with much involvement and leadership from church members
One of Denvers Pioneer Churches (Municipal Facts, 1930)
We are the oldest UU congregation in the state and in the Mountain
Desert District
Our congregations role in the civil rights movement, the gay rights
movement (also potentially prison reform and womens suffrage and
education in the 19th century)

We Hit the Mark

ARCHITECTURE
Richardsonian Romanesque (built between 1893 and 1899 by
Varian and Sterner)
When built: One of Denvers Prettiest; structure unsurpassed in
the Citys list; one of the most strikingly beautiful church
structures in Denver; an air of simple grandeur
the original floor plan was an Old Akron Plan (pitched floor).
locally-sourced Castle Rock Rhyolite bricks.
GEOGRAPHY
Prominent location, familiar, and orienting visual feature (turn at
the castle)

Pros and Cons of Historic Designation

PROS
Access to $$ for exterior
Affirms the historical
significance of:
The building
The work of FUSD

Protects the building from

future development
Increased incentive to conduct
needed maintenance

CONS
Approval will be required to
make improvements
Repairs may:
Take longer
Be more expensive

Pros and Cons of SHF $$$

PROS

CONS

Funds may be significant and

may include multiple
applications and projects
Funds may supplement capital
fundraising dollars building
repair and maintenance

May affect the timing of work

on the church
Another layer of oversight and
management
Grant funds are not
guaranteed

Grant Preparation and Management

Types of State Historic Fund Grants:

Historic Structure Assessment Non-Competitive - $10,000

Likely not needed right now because of assessment work already
completed
Likely dont need one for exterior work being considered

Planning (Competitive up to about $35,000)

Construction (Competitive up to $200,000)

Can include planning component in first construction grant

Administrative fees (15%) can be written into grants

Sacred Places Project

John Olsen of Historic Denver
Project to help churches apply for and manage
State Historic Funds
Administrative fees are funded through the grant
and match
Provides a high level of expertise to the process

Potential Questions

Q: Will historic designation affect the property

value of FUSD?
A:

According to multiple economic studies, as well

reps of Historic Denver, the City of Denver and the
State Historic Fund, designation of landmarks and
historic districts tends to increase or maintain
property values.
Historic properties tend to be on the market less
time compared to non-historic properties.
Funds incentivize upkeep
Historic designation tends to stabilize
neighborhoods.

Q: What if we want to sell to a developer who wants

to maximize zoning limits on the property?

A:

Current zoning would allow a 3-story building

of about 50,000 square feet. BUT if there
was a desire to demolish the building, its age
would trigger a public posting and the City
(or another party) would likely pursue
historic designation.
You would probably have neighbors
chaining themselves to this building if there
was a move to demolish it. John Olsen, Historic Denver.

Q: Is the property protected forever?

A: Landmark designation ensures a more
thorough review of demolition proposals
for designated landmarks and historic
properties in historic districts, but does not
outright prohibit demolition.

Q: What about tax credits?

A: Tax credits are a commonly cited benefit of

historic preservation. Because we are a
nonprofit, this benefit does not apply to
FUSD.

Q: Will insurance costs be higher with

historic designation?
A: Some agents FALSELY elevate insurance
costs. If an increase of more than 1-2%
occurs, it is important to shop around.
Over 6,000 historic properties exist in
Denver and for the vast majority there is
no difference in insurance costs (John Olsen, Historic
Denver)

Q: Will changes already made to the building make it

less worthy of designation?

A:

Changes to the building exterior, including the

elevator, will likely not keep us from getting
landmark status.
The interior of the building is vastly different
than its original state. Remaining historic
elements (ex. the hidden windows?) may be
included in Landmark designation.

Q: Will the added cost of complying with code offset

the benefits?

A: A greater level of approval and review will

be required. Materials will be more
expensive but many costs would be higher
regardless of designation (ex. mortar)

Q: Why dont we just sell the building and move

elsewhere?
A:

From the 2014 FUSD Long Range Plan:

Major Recommendation: Stay in our building and
undertake an extensive renovation (estimated to
cost approximately $1.3 million including design,
consultation, permits and fees). Rationale: Wide
congregational support, identify as an urban
sanctuary in Capitol Hill, national trends away from
physical churchgoing, and pledge patterns.

Q: Will there be an easement on our

property?
A: If we receive $250,000+ in funds, yes. In
Denver, this is very similar to the
requirements placed by historic
designation. Monitoring fees are paid by
the State. To date (since 1974), there has
never been a lien placed on a historic
property, largely because of maintenance
recommendations and use of the SHF. (John
Olsen, Historic Denver)

Q: How many other churches in

Denver have historic designation?
A: Not sure how many have historic
designation, but 60+ have received funds
via SHF, per a count from the SHF website.
Historic designation is required to access
funds.

Denver churches with historic designation that

have accessed SHF$
(yellow= Historic Denver, green = Historic Denver and independent)

7th Ave Congregational United Church Christ

North Presbyterian Church

All Saints Episcopal Church

Annunciation Church
Asbury United Methodist Church
Bethany Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Church
Bethany Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Church
Bethel The Church of God
Bethesda Sanatorium (Chapel)

Sacred Heart Catholic Church

Cameron United Methodist Church

Capitol Heights Presbyterian Church
Cathedral of Immaculate Conception

Central Presbyterian Church

Chapel No. 1-Building No. 27 Chapel No. 1- Eisenhower Chapel
Christ Methodist Episcopal Church

Church of the Ascension

Church of the Epiphany
Danish Evangelical Bethany Lutheran Church

Episcopal Church of St. Peter and St. Mary

First Avenue Presbyterian Church
First Baptist Church of Denver
First Church of Divine Science
First Congregational Church-Metropolitan Community Church of the Rockies
Four Hundred Thirty Year Church of God in Christ
Grant Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church
Highlands Masonic Temple

Highlands United Methodist Church

His Love Fellowship

Holy Transfiguration of Christ Orthodox Cathedral

Iliff School of Theology
Ivy Chapel at Fairmont Heritage Foundation
John Collins Methodist Episcopal Church
Montview Boulevard Presbyterian Church
Mosque of the El Jebel Shrine

Seventh Avenue Congregation Church

Shorter A.M.E. Church
Simpson Methodist Episcopal Church

Sixth Avenue United Church dba United Church of Christ

Smith's Chapel-United Brethren Church-Denver Inner City Parish

South Broadway Christian Church

St. Andrews Episcopal Church-Trinity Memorial Church

St. Augustine Orthodox Church

St. Barnabas Parish, Denver
St. Cajetan's Church (Denver)

St. Dominic Parish, Inc.

St. Elizabeth's Church
St. Elizabeth's Retreat Chapel

St. Ignatius Loyola Church

St. John's Church in the Wilderness dba St. John's Cathedral
St. Joseph's Polish Roman Catholic Church
St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church
St. Patrick's Mission Church
St. Paul United Methodist Church (Denver)
St. Peter's Episcopal Church
St. Stephen's Episcopal Church

St. Thomas Episcopal Church

Temple Emanuel

The Master's Bible Church

Trinity United Methodist Church
University Park United Methodist Church
Warren United Methodist Church
Zen Center of Denver
Zion Baptist Church (Calvary Baptist)

Q: Isnt the competition for grants

competitive?
A:

Yes, like any grant process, there is no guarantee that an application

will be funded. But, per our unofficial count from the SHF website:

At least $12,547,616 was awarded to churches via 185 grants through

2015
The largest amount was likely to Trinity United Methodist for 7 grants
between 1995 and 2001 ($801,000)
Average grant size was $67,825
Removing grants of $10,000 or less, average grant size is $96,000
Average amount per church (removing $10,000 or less grants) was
$201,423

Q: Isnt grant management

burdensome?
A:

It can be. The Sacred Places Project via

Historic Denver is an important resource to
consider.

Decisions Made Thus Far

Requests approved at 1/23 capital

campaign meeting
FUSD should apply for City of Denver Landmark Designation.
FUSD should apply for State Historical Fund for the October 1 grant
cycle.
FUSD should prepare most of the application with in-house
expertise, but engage architectural consultation (up to $2,000) for
technical parts of the application.
FUSD should re-apply for several years for additional SHF funds.

Recommendations approved at 2/11

FUSD Board meeting
FUSD should apply for City of Denver Landmark Designation.
FUSD should prepare most of the this application in-house, but hire an architectural
consultant (up to $1,000?) for technical parts of the application.

FUSD should apply to State Historical Fund for a Planning and Construction grant
in the October 1 grant cycle
FUSD should investigate Historic Denvers Sacred Places Project for grant writing
and/or management
FUSD should re-apply for several years of additional SHF funds
Example: Tuck point 1, Tuck point 2, Roof

FUSD board should seek congregational approval as soon as possible (March 20)

Updates to the Q&A

Q&A materials are available on the FUSD
website.
We will continue to update this as additional
questions arise.
http://www.fusden.org/renovation-project