Background Information:  It has come to the attention of the Downtown Neighborhood Association that the nearly 100 year old Harriett Himmel Theater was never historically designated to protect the building from demolition or from stripping it of its historic charm. This prompted the DNA to look at the status of many of our older downtown buildings to consider which buildings might be important for the city to historically designate. Historic designation is considered for buildings that are at least 50 years of age and are architecturally or culturally significant in our city’s history.  Historically designating a building does not prevent the owner from modernizing or altering the interior nor does it prevent the building from being expanded in size.  However, exterior modifications to a historic structure must comply with the city’s Historic Preservation Ordinance and the City's Design Guidelines. Owners of historically designated buildings are given property tax incentives for renovations and federal tax credits apply in some circumstances. For more information about the city’s historic preservation ordinance, please click here.
 
In addition to being one of the most important cultural venues in our city’s history, the Harriett Himmel Theater is one of the city’s finest examples of Mediterranean Revival architecture.  30 years ago, the community rallied to save the building as plans for CityPlace were crafted.   Millions of dollars were raised , both taxpayer and private, to restore the building. The current owners have recently publicized plans to alter and modernize the building and underscored their intention to preserve the building as a focal point for CityPlace.