By Rick Palsgrove
Southeast Editor
The city of Groveport and its historic preservation committee are providing free reference material for residents who want to voluntarily restore and preserve their historic homes and businesses.
“These are just guidelines,” said Steve Thomson of the historic preservation committee. “We’ve put together a set of historic guidelines and specific informational pamphlets for those who want to voluntarily preserve and restore their properties. This gives them the resources to do so.”
The Historic Preservation Guidelines and supplemental pamphlet information will appear on the city’s website at www.groveport.org in July. A 60 page paper booklet version of the guidelines – as well as six pamphlets addressing specific issues including doors and entrances, porches, wood siding and trim, windows, masonry, and roofs, gutters and downspouts – will also be available at Groveport Town Hall, 648 Main St., and the municipal building, 655 Blacklick St.
The Historic Preservation Guidelines booklet includes: a brief history of Groveport; rehabilitation guidelines for roofs, gutters, downspouts, masonry, wood siding, trim, windows, doors, canopies, awnings, porches, storefronts, commercial conversions, garages, and outbuildings. It also includes new construction guidelines for building placement, building height, building proportion, roof forms and materials, window and wall ratio, garages, materials and colors, storefronts and facades, and additions. Other information addressed includes signs, walls, fences, landscaping lighting, parking and garage access, and access for the disabled.
“These guidelines will enable people to help bring out the historic nature of the community and maintain its historic character,” said Thomson.
Groveport City Administrator Marsha Hall emphasized the historic guidelines are not mandatory requirements, but are merely a reference source for residents who wish to find out how to voluntarily preserve and historically restore their properties.
“The information is available to everyone in town. You don’t have to live in one of the older neighborhoods to access the information,” said Hall. “The information is there to be used as a tool to help property owners who want to use it.”
Architecture in Groveport is diverse with varying styles from different eras and influences. The Historic Preservation Guidelines booklet identifies 12 distinct architectural styles in the city including: German Vernacular (1820-70), Federal (1810-50), Greek Revival (1830-65), Gothic Revival (1840-70), Italianate (1855-85), Queen Anne (1885-1905), Craftsman, Prairie, Colonial Revival, Tudor Revival, Ranch, and Post Modern.
“Much of Groveport’s early growth and development was a result of the influx of workers, merchants and ethnic groups who settled the area as a result of the Ohio and Erie Canal,” according to the Historic Preservation Guidelines booklet. “Groveport’s early architecture reflects a utilitarian feel and for the most part is simple and plain in its form and function.”
As the city grew, more elaborate buildings were constructed in the late 19th and 20th centuries.
The booklet notes many communities fail to realize their more ornate structures and their “more non-descriptive” structures are equally important “to the overall character and vitality of the community.”
Thomson said Groveport residents have done a good job over the years of maintaining the town’s historic character.
“We’re a great city, let’s advertise it,” said Thomson. “We want people to easily take notice of what we’re all about.”
