The City of Ravenswood is working with Designing Local to develop clear, illustrated, and user-friendly design guidelines for both commercial and residential properties within the Ravenswood Historic District.
These guidelines will serve as a practical resource for property owners, contractors, developers, and City officials.
By completing this project, Ravenswood will:
Preserve and enhance the unique historic character of downtown
Support compatible new development and reinvestment
Provide predictability for property owners and contractors
Help streamline review processes for improvements that comply with the guidelines
The goal is clarity — not complexity.
No draft guidelines have been created at this time.
We are currently gathering community input to determine the components and priorities of the final document. Feedback from residents and property owners will directly shape the structure and focus of the guidelines.
If you live in or own property within the Historic District, your input is especially important.
The design guidelines will:
Identify key historic character features of Ravenswood
Provide clear guidance for maintenance, repair, and rehabilitation
Address new construction and compatible additions
Include recommendations for signage, lighting, accessibility improvements, and site elements
Be consistent with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties
The final document will be visually clear, practical, and easy to use.
For more information, contact:
Molly Washburn
Executive Director
Downtown Ravenswood Partners
[email protected]
304-215-1504
