It’s official: Greenwood downtown now on National Register of Historic Places

Greenwood’s two-year effort to have a residential neighborhood downtown added to a national registry has paid off.

About 300 buildings, including some homes that are more than 150 years old, have been named to the National Register of Historic Places. The city learned of the final federal approval of its application this week.

Here’s what the designation means for residents and property owners: Properties in the historic district will be eligible for tax break for repairs, but will have limitations on the types of changes they can make to the property.

The historical district is northeast of Main Street and U.S. 31, on both sides of Madison Avenue.

The city got a grant to help with the study and application process, and partnered with the non-profit organization Restore Old Town Greenwood on the project.

“This designation is the result of a great public private partnership between City officials, Restore Old Town Greenwood, and state agencies,” Greenwood Mayor Mark W. Myers said in a news release. “Together we have created an environment that will foster a spirit of preservation and restoration in this important historic neighborhood.”

One goal is that the designation could spur investment in the area.

“A historic residential district appeals to residents who appreciate a sense of place and tradition," Greenwood Planning Director Bill Peeples said in the announcement. "The hope is that this designation will serve as a catalyst to encourage more people to move into and invest in improving the neighborhood.”

Other Johnson County places on the National Register of Historic Places includes Hopewell Presbyterian Church, the Franklin Commercial Historic District, the Johnson County Courthouse Square and Greenlawn Cemetery.

Shops and restaurants along Main Street and Madison Avenue in downtown Greenwood received the same designation three decades ago. The new district includes mostly homes and churches.

The city will receive the new designation at the annual Department of Natural Resources Historic Preservation Awards Ceremony at the Indiana State Fairgrounds on August 7.