Historic dairy farm landmark nomination to be reviewed at hearing

The King County Historic Preservation Program and 4Culture have announced that 11 projects have been awarded funds from the first round of the Heritage Barn Preservation Grant Program.

The King County Council demonstrated its support for the preservation of the County’s rural heritage, by allocating $75,000 in the 2007 County budget for historic barns.

County Council member Kathy Lambert, whose district includes several barns in the Snoqualmie Valley that will receive funding, said, “As a community, we value these barns and what they represent. I am proud that King County can partner with farmers and other rural property owners to preserve our heritage.”

Lauren McCroskey, chair of the Landmarks Commission, explains, “We have approximately 150 historic barns left in the Snoqualmie Valley, the Enumclaw Plateau, the Green River Valley, on Vashon Island, and in other rural pockets of the county, as well as a few in suburban cities like Auburn and Issaquah. If we can help save 10 or 15 of these barns by providing matching funds for critical projects such as foundations or roofs, that will represent an excellent investment in preserving our history. We’ve taken our first step through awarding these grants, but the need is great. We had $75,000 to distribute and over $500,000 in requests. The Commission is committed to finding additional funds to support this important program in the years to come.”

Historic barns dot some of King County’s most scenic highways, and many are open to the public as farm stands, event venues and agriculture-related businesses. In exchange for grant funding, owners will provide community benefits such as being open to the public on annual farm tours and hosting educational field trips for students, as well as adopting long-term preservation and maintenance agreements.

PLATT DAIRY FARM LANDMARK NOMINATION: The King County Landmarks Commission continues its efforts to identify and protect significant farms associated with the county’s agricultural history. The Platt farm is owned by Valerie Bordon and Andy Weiss, who have been restoring the 1903 house since 1999. They plan a renovation to reinforce the foundation of the large hay barn later this year, and eventually to restore the siding and floors. The foundation project will be partially funded by the new Barn Preservation Grant Program.

A public hearing to review the landmark nomination will take place on Thursday, October 25, 2007 at the Vincent Schoolhouse starting at 7:00 p.m. Working with Valerie and Andy, the nomination was completed by Katelyn Elizabeth Wright, a University of Washington student who is interested in the county’s agricultural history.

For more information on King County’s Historic Preservation Program, visit www.metrokc.gov/exec/bred/hpp/or contact Julie Koler at julie.koler@kingcounty.gov or 206.296.8689.

HERITAGE BARN GRANT PROGRAM
2007 Award Recipients

L & S Land Co. LLC
20920 SE 376th St
Auburn WA 98092
Award: $6,000
Owner/Applicant: Sunny Lappenbusch
Project: Replace roof on milking wing of barn

Ollala Canyon Farm
5524 Pt Robinson Rd
Vashon WA 98070
Award: $7,500
Owner/Applicant: Christopher Laubenthal
Project: Replace shake roof

Tucker Place
10718 SW 216th
Vashon WA 98070
Award: $7,600
Owner/Applicant: Bob and Laurie Tucker
Project: Roof, foundation, structure, and siding repairs

Millarich Place
39926 264th Ave SE
Enumclaw WA 98022
Award: $15,000
Owner/Applicant: John Millarich
Project: Replace roof

Albrecht Place
22605 SE 4th
Sammamish WA 98074
Award: $600
Owner/Applicant: Donovan Albrecht
Project: Replace siding and trim, caulk and repaint

Gladstone Farm
16522 NE 145th
Woodinville WA 98072
Award: $3,000
Owner/Applicant: Sylvia Castro
Project: Repair roof; finish hay storage area; apply preservative; install gutters

River Willow Farm
25530 NE 138th St
Duvall WA 98019
Award: $7,500
Owner/Applicant: Valerie Bordon
Project: Stabilization of north wing

Cherry Valley Farms LLC
26900 Cherry Valley Rd
Duvall WA 98019
Award: $14,000
Owner/Applicant: Eric Nelson
Project: Replace shake roof; install gutters, paint barn

The Farm at Novelty
26617 NE 124th St
Duvall WA 98019
Award: $6,300
Owner/Applicant: Larry and Janetta Pickering
Project: Improve drainage, structural repairs and paint

Broad Acre Farm
27929 NE 100th St
Carnation WA 98014
Award: $3,500
Owner/Applicant: Joseph Hayes
Project: Replace ridge cap and repair siding on dairy and calf barns

Serres Farm
20306 NE 50th St
Redmond WA 98053
Award: $4,000
Owner/Applicant: William and Nancy Serres
Project: sill plate and lower wall repair