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<br />immediately east of the subject site includes a historically <br />and culturally significant ghost sign that may be affected by <br />this project. Additionally, the subject site is located <br />within the Downtown National Register District. Impacts will <br />be mitigated by setting the upper levels of the building back <br />from the lower floors so as not to completely obscure the <br />historic ghost sign on the adjacent building's party wall. <br />That portion which will be obscured may be impacted negatively <br />over time due to it being obscured; however it has been <br />determined by a special study ("Courthouse Lofts Proj ect <br />Historic Resource Impacts") that current ambient conditions <br />may have a greater impact over time than if a structure is <br />built on the subject site. The consultant believes that if <br />left open to the elements, sunlight and inclement weather will <br />cause the historic sign to deteriorate at a greater pace that <br />if it were sheltered. That portion of the ghost sign that will <br />not be obscured will be highlighted for public view through <br />landscaping, a water feature, up-lighting, and an <br />interpretative sign that will offer photos and description of <br />the historic sign as indicated in the Mitigation Monitoring <br />Plan. The un-obscured portion of the historic ghost sign is <br />that area closest to the public right-of-way so as to allow <br />more persons the ability to see the resource. Additionally, <br />this portion of the sign is the most intact and visually <br />interesting. The entire historic sign will be fully <br />documented through a HABS survey as indicated in the <br />Mitigation Monitoring Plan. <br /> <br />Additionally, the proposed building will be compatible with <br />the Downtown National Register District in terms of massing <br />and scale ("Aesthetic Impact Evaluation"), and will set itself <br />apart from older development by utilizing a more modern style <br />of architecture and materials, thereby meeting the Secretary <br />of the Interior's Standard Number Nine requiring new <br />development to be differentiated from old. While the <br />Secretary of the Interior's Standard Number Nine does not <br />specifically apply, since this is new infill construction and <br />not new construction or addition to an existing historic <br />building, this standard is used as a baseline for potential <br />adverse impacts. Impacts will be mitigated to a less than <br />significant level through the measures noted above, and has <br />been further analyzed with the help of a qualified <br />architectural historian and consultant ("Courthouse Loft <br />Project-Historic Resource Impacts" and "Aesthetic Impact <br />Evaluation") . <br /> <br />8QA:i;38 <br />