“The LPC is responsible for familiarizing itself with buildings, structures, sites, districts, areas, places, and lands within the City which may be eligible for state and national historic landmark status.”
I served on the City of Arlington’s Landmark Preservation Commission (LPC) from September 2020 to September 2023. It was a worthwhile experience that taught me several things.
#1—Old is not the same as historic
There is a misconception that everything old is historic, which simply isn’t the case. For something to be historic, it must have historic value, and while that can be an abstract term, it has parameters. For our Local Landmark program, the criteria are generally that the property must be at least 50 years old, visible and accessible to the public, and within the city limits of Arlington. Additionally, it must be significant in Arlington’s history, archaeology, architecture, or culture, or be associated with people or events with significant contributions to our community. An old building might have character, be well-loved, or still be useful, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s historic.
#2—Preservation matters…but we can’t save everything
There is only so much a local preservation commission can do. We have limited resources, and things are often beyond our scope and control. Just because we recognize a building with a local marker, it isn’t automatically saved from the wrecking ball or a “FOR SALE” sign. I’ve learned that preservation must be balanced with progress. It’s a delicate balance at times, but it must exist. We can’t save everything, though, and that can be difficult to accept.
An example is the former Arlington High School building, which was later used as the UTA School of Social Work for many years. Despite the building being 100 years old—or maybe even because of it—there are plans to tear it down. The building still looks respectable on the outside, but evidently, has internal structural damage. Furthermore, it’s owned by the State of Texas, not the City of Arlington, so as you can imagine, our local preservation commission has limited influence, especially when the project involves hefty price tags and profits. We’re also losing a few houses from a local historic district near the university due to their expansion. It stings, but it happens, and you move on.
#3—There’s a human element to it
Part of our role was to review buildings or structures considered dangerous or substandard. We voted on these and determined the next course of action. People sometimes (but not always) lived in these structures, and often, their mental health, finances, or other challenges played a role in their home’s condition. Hoarding is often a factor in dangerous or substandard structures, with the residents trying to do the best they can amid their personal struggles.
While our commission didn’t get involved past reviewing the general condition of the structure, it can be a delicate situation regardless of what happens next. We were assured that appropriate steps were taken to work with the residents in a legal, fair, and humane manner—based on how much they would cooperate—and demolition was a last resort when all other steps had been fully exhausted. Dangerous or substandard housing doesn’t happen overnight; it’s a layered, systemic breakdown of many things over time. Within every building and structure is a human element, and it usually isn’t apparent what their situation may be. However, it’s something to consider when reviewing these cases while being as objective as possible.
#4—Details matter
A memorable meeting involved discussing the Worthington National Bank, formerly the Arlington Post Office. The building is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and is a City of Arlington Local Landmark. The bank was going through an internal rebranding, deciding to cease using “National” in its title. That meant that a new exterior sign had to be erected. The bank’s name was fairly innocuous to us; the issue was with the proposed changes to their signage, especially the font.
In the rendered drawings, someone noticed that the font in the new signage looked too contemporary for a building built in the 1930s. Truly, it was one of those things that if no one had said anything, it probably would have gone unnoticed. But once you viewed the font in the context of a building built in 1939, it looked odd, inappropriate, and even silly. Ultimately, we decided to recommend a different font, as that was about all we could do, but it was a memorable lesson in how details matter and that elements of building design should usually coordinate and complement each other.
#5—Architecture is awesome
If you had told me a few years ago that I would develop a fascination—and maybe an obsession—with architecture, I would have thought you were looney. I learned a lot about architecture in the LPC and can sometimes identify the style or time period. I also discovered that I like photographing architecture, and it has become a hobby. But more than simply looking cool—even though it can serve as functional art—architecture helps tell a story, especially of the neighborhood, town, and area where it’s located. It helps set the tone and mood. It offers clues about the people who use the buildings and their history.
Conclusion
Serving on the Landmark Preservation Commission was far more than a lesson in building codes and architectural styles; it was a lesson in citizenship and community. What started as an unknown step outside my comfort zone turned into a deep appreciation for the layers of history that make Arlington home. I now see more than simply buildings; I see stories and the people that use them. While Arlington has officially recognized over 40 local landmarks, there are many other places that are meaningful to our community and its history that deserve to be admired and recognized.
Arlington has over a dozen boards and commissions in various topics with something for everyone.
Visit their website to learn more:
www.arlingtontx.gov/Government/City-Government/Boards-Commissions
Blog post by Jason S. Sullivan, 10-25-23
Jason S. Sullivan 