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Hickory Plans To Expand Oakwood Historic District

Map shows proposed expansion areas for Hickory's Oakwood Historic District.
City of Hickory
Map shows proposed expansion areas for Hickory's Oakwood Historic District.

The city of Hickory is hoping to expand its Oakwood National Register Historic District north of downtown after an architectural survey identified more parts of the neighborhood as eligible for historic status.

Hickory city planner Ross Zelenske said the proposed expansion would nearly triple the size of the district.

"Currently there's about 78 properties that are located in the existing district, that was originally listed in 1986," Zelenske said. "And we're looking at adding about 183 properties to this expansion area. And that will kind of expand the time period from about the 1880s to the 1950s overall."

Hickory's Historic Preservation Commission has hired Virginia-based consultant Landmark Preservation Associates to help with the nomination process. City officials say the designation helps preserve historic areas and makes properties eligible for state tax credits.  

Ross says the designation is largely honorary. Properties added to the register will not need city approval for alterations or demolition. A public meeting on the expansion is planned March 22.  The city hopes the expansion will take effect a year from now.

RELATED LINK

City of Hickory web page on the Oakwood Historic District Expansion

David Boraks previously covered climate change and the environment for WFAE. See more at www.wfae.org/climate-news. He also has covered housing and homelessness, energy and the environment, transportation and business.