The National Historic Registry plays a big role in York resident’s vision of their community

Despite the York Neighborhood having its own historic district, there has not been one property added to the National Register of Historic Places, according to the City of Bellingham’s National Historic Registration information. The three-story brick building of J.J. Larson Block has been a primary interest of historic concern to York residents, including the Bellingham Labor Temple, as was said in the York Neighborhood plan. Both buildings are located on North State Street.

J.J. Larson Block was originally built as a livery stable and warehouse in 1902 and the Bellingham Labor Temple as union center in 1914. The York Neighborhood plan wants to propose these two buildings for national level significance, whereas most requests are on the local level and are for historic homes rather than large properties.

However, York Neighborhood students feel that these historic structures would make great apartments and living spaces for university and community college students. If J.J. Larson Block and the Bellingham Labor Temple are able to get on the local, state, or national historic registry, the chances of degradation and possible use for housing will go down since local preservation laws are in place once a building is added to the national registry, according to the National Park Service. The National Park Service also says that if any Federal monies are attached to the property, then any changes to the building need to be allowed by the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation.

The number one proposal on the York Neighborhood plan is to apply for historic district designation in the national, state, or local register. Following this, the plan says that regulatory codes need to be expanded and enforced to prevent degradation of historic areas and preserve the original character of single-family homes. The York Neighborhood Association president, Don Hilty-Jones, has a committee that strictly deals with historic preservation to make sure buildings of historic significance are not in danger of neglect.

The City Planning Department that deals with buildings on the national and local historic register says that it is easier to get on the Bellingham Local Historic Register.

“Applications for the local register go through the City of Bellingham and the Historic Preservation Commission, whereas applications for the National Historic Register need to go to the federal government or the U.S. Department of the Interior,” said Jackie Lynch, a city planner who specializes in historic preservation, “That is why the national registration process seems a little more intimidating.”

Kelsey Brender from the front desk at the planning department mentioned that York residents have come in to question the status of the historic application process.

“Someone came in a few months ago asking about the status of the Bellingham Labor Temple on the local historic registry, it seems to be important for that area,” said Brender.

Most of the homes and buildings in the York area were built between 1890 and 1910, so the old-fashioned vibe is instilled in York residents and their historic district. Preserving that is important to the community and they feel that applying to the National Register of Historic Places is the first step.

York is one of the top neighborhoods where students reside from Western Washington University, Whatcom Community College, and Bellingham Technical College. Most students would agree that a college-town aura is associated with Bellingham.

A university student living in a home off Lakeway Drive in the York Neighborhood, Sammy Orrey, wanted to find an apartment in the area but had no such luck.

“We wanted to look for an apartment for next year and stay in the neighborhood since it’s pretty close to campus, but we couldn’t find any apartments within the price range for students,” said Orrey.

The few apartment complexes and townhouses in York are generally upper-scale and higher priced, which is not appealing to college students. The townhouses on Lakeway Drive next to Orrey’s house are over $700 in monthly rent for a studio.

“We couldn’t find any multiple bedroom apartments,” said Orrey of him and his roommates, “I wish there were more apartments in York rather than houses because this has definitely become a college area.”

Students would benefit from the additional apartments and so would the city off the economic gain, but the historic character of York is something that residents want to keep intact. Whether the J.J. Larson Block and Bellingham Labor Temple will get on a historic registry or be replaced with housing spaces is something only time can tell.