Despite property owners' objections, the Colorado Historic Preservation Review Board declared Boulder's Grandview Terrace neighborhood architecturally distinctive Friday and recommended it be nominated for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places. Preservationists count the vote as a victory that moves debate over controversial redevelopment plans to a higher venue. But opponents to the designation say they have numbers on their side. Louise Romero, a senior attorney for the University of Colorado, reminded the state board that most of the property owners in the area oppose listing their homes or other neighborhood buildings on the national list.
Federal law prohibits the listing of an area if more than half the residents object.
The decision to recommend the property for historic designation was based solely on the architectural merits of the site. Georgianna Contiguglia, Colorado's historic preservation officer and president of the Colorado Historical Society, said political ramifications of any plans for Grandview's future were immaterial to the decision. She repeatedly halted testimony that strayed from the historical merits of the site. Grandview Terrace is north of CU's main campus. It is bounded by University Avenue to the south and Broadway to the west.