Submitted
The Annable Block, commonly known as Ward Street Place, and owned by the Nelson CARES Society, has been approved for addition to the City of Nelson’s community heritage register.
The item was brought forward at the council meeting on Aug. 12, where it was recommended by staff that the request be approved. Mayor and council unanimously agreed.
“They’ve done a heck of a job restoring that building,” Mayor John Dooley stated during the council meeting. “It looks fantastic.”
The community heritage register was adopted by the city in 2011 and involved the inclusion of 69 heritage properties and features within the City of Nelson.
Each of these properties have a statement of significance that identify the character-defining elements of the property. A statement of significance is a declaration of value that briefly explains what a historic place is and why it is important. The statement of significance for the Annable Block was reviewed and endorsed at the city’s heritage working group meeting on May 10.
The Annable Block, on Ward Street between Baker and Victoria, was built in 1912 by John E. Annable, and has been home to many different businesses. The second floor was turned into low-income rental space when Nelson CARES took over the building in 2002. A $2 million revitalization project began in 2012.