Completing a landmark designation process that began on April 4, 2014, the City Council of the City of Chicago designated the Fulton-Randolph Market District as a Chicago Landmark by ordinance passed July 29, 2015. The ordinance and the designation became effective on September 24, 2015.

Why has the City designated the Fulton-Randolph Market District as a Chicago Landmark?

The purpose of the proposed designation is to recognize and preserve the historic significance and importance of the Fulton-Randolph Market District's historic streetscapes and buildings, as well as to qualify them for historic rehabilitation incentives. The proposed designation is being considered as part of a larger city planning effort of the Fulton-Randolph Market area by the Department of Planning and Development and the Department of Transportation. More information about this larger planning study can be found here.

What restrictions are being placed on buildings in the proposed district?

When a Landmark district is proposed for Chicago Landmark status, and continuing after its designation, all building permit applications for buildings in the proposed district are evaluated to determine whether the work will affect what are called “significant historical and architectural features” of the proposed landmark district; work on these features must be approved by the Commission on Chicago Landmarks. For the Fulton-Randolph Market District, the significant features have been preliminarily identified as exterior building elevations, including rooflines, visible from public rights-of-way. There are no requirements to change a building once it is designated as a Chicago landmark and any current property conditions may be maintained. Historic preservation staff only responds to changes proposed by building owners.

When is a building permit required and for what kind of work?

No additional City permits are required for Landmark buildings or buildings within Landmark districts. The Commission simply reviews permits as part of the normal building permit process. The Commission annually reviews some 2,000 permits for Landmark properties, most of which are approved in one day. Routine maintenance work, such as painting and minor repairs, does not require a building permit. Under the City’s Rehabilitation Code, there is also a special historic preservation provision that allows for greater flexibility in applying the Building Code to designated landmarks in order to preserve significant features of such buildings. More information on getting a permit is available from the Historic Preservation staff or can be found on the DPD website.

How does the Commission evaluate proposed changes to existing buildings or the design of new construction?

The Commission has established criteria to evaluate permit applications for both renovations and new construction. These criteria and the Commission’s review procedures are published as part of the Rules and Regulations of the Commission of Chicago Landmarks. The basis for the criteria is the U.S. Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation of Historic Buildings. The Commission also has adopted policies regarding many aspects of rehabilitation work, and these polices include those detailed in Guidelines for Alterations to Historic Buildings and New Construction, available here or from the Historic Preservation staff.

Design Guidelines

Draft Design Guidelines for the proposed Historic District have been completed and are now available for public input. They can be found here. Any questions or comments on the design guidelines can be sent via email to Lawrence.Shure@cityofchicago.org. After a comment period, the Commission on Chicago Landmarks will consider adoption of the guidelines in the 2015.

What are the advantages of landmark designation?

Status as a Landmark district can enhance an area’s prestige, increase the value of the properties within it, and help stabilize an entire neighborhood. There are also specific benefits available under federal, state and local economic incentive programs.

For more frequently asked questions, click on the continuation page.

Fulton-Randolph Market District – Final Designation Report (PDF)

Fulton-Randolph Market District – Final Recommendation to City Council (PDF)

Fulton-Randolph Market District – Updated DPD Report (PDF)

Fulton-Randolph Market District – Exhibits to Final Recommendation (PDF)

Fulton-Randolph Market District – District Map (PDF)

Fulton-Randolph Market District – Designation Fact Sheet (PDF)

Fulton-Randolph Market District – Design Guidelines [Adopted 09.07.17] (PDF)

Links

Information on Chicago Landmarks – City of Chicago Website