The mayor and commission approved a historic district for western downtown at a special called session last night.
The commission voted 6-3 in favor of the district, and commissioner Davenport abstained.
District three commissioner Melissa Link said that "in addition to the clear cultural benefits in preserving structures that relay the history, historic designation also provides significant tax benefits and grant opportunities to property owners, something that is desperately, desperately needed for downtown property owners who are just facing soaring, soaring property taxes due primarily to the redevelopment of nearby properties for luxury student housing."
Landmarks protected by the new historic district include historic music venues, a portion of the Hot Corner, and noteworthy buildings that were originally created to serve the transportation industry such as the building that houses Chuck's Fish.