Historic Resource Survey and Historic District
Bellevue Borough Historic District
Bona Fide Bellevue has been awarded a Keystone Historic Preservation Planning Grant to prepare a National Register nomination for the proposed Bellevue Borough Historic District. Matching funds are being provided by Bona Fide Bellevue, and no Borough tax dollars are being used for the project. The project is supported by Bellevue Borough, Representative Emily Kinkead, Allegheny County Council member Jordan Botta, and Senator Wayne Fontana.
Over the coming months, a qualified historic preservation consultant will prepare the nomination and lead a community engagement process that will include public meetings, educational materials, and opportunities for residents and property owners to learn about the nomination and ask questions.
About the Project
Bellevue is known for its historic homes, walkable neighborhoods, thriving business district, and rich architectural character. The proposed Bellevue Borough Historic District seeks to recognize and celebrate this heritage through listing on the National Register of Historic Places.
The effort builds on a comprehensive historic resource survey completed in 2021. Sponsored by Bona Fide Bellevue and funded through a Keystone Historic Preservation Planning Grant, the survey documented Bellevue’s historic buildings and researched the community’s development. No Borough funds were used for the project. The survey concluded that much of Bellevue is eligible for listing as a National Register Historic District because of its significance as one of the Pittsburgh region’s historic streetcar suburbs. In 2022, the Pennsylvania State Historic Preservation Office concurred with those findings.
With grant funding now secured, Bona Fide Bellevue will hire a preservation consultant to prepare the formal National Register nomination. Throughout the project, residents, business owners, and property owners will have opportunities to learn about the process, ask questions, and provide input before the nomination is submitted.
Why Pursue National Register Listing?
National Register designation provides formal recognition of Bellevue’s historic significance while creating opportunities to support long-term community revitalization. Potential benefits include:
- Recognition of Bellevue’s historic and architectural heritage.
- Increased eligibility for preservation, planning, Main Street, and façade improvement grants.
- Federal and state rehabilitation tax credits for qualifying income-producing properties.
- Consideration of historic resources during federally or state-funded projects.
- Support for economic development, neighborhood revitalization, tourism, and community pride.
Importantly, National Register listing is primarily an honorary designation and does not place any restrictions on private property owners.
Project Timeline
2020–2021: Historic Resource Survey Completed ✔
2022: SHPO Concurrence on Eligibility ✔
2026: Keystone Planning Grant Awarded ✔
Late 2026: Consultant Selected
2026–2027: Community Meetings & Nomination Preparation
2027: National Register Review Process
Keystone Grant Historic Survey Report
In 2020-2021 Bona Fide Bellevue sponsored a comprehensive historic resource survey of the Borough of Bellevue with the goal of identifying potential historic districts and significant individual properties throughout the 1.1 square mile community. The project was funded by a Keystone Historic Preservation Grant from the Pennsylvania State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) with matching funds provided by Bonafide Bellevue, and was completed by our consultant, Sandra Scaffidi of Practical Preservation, Fairmont, WV. Despite challenges imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, all work was completed in June 2021.
The survey documented 2,341 homes and businesses in the borough that meet the 50-year National Register age requirement, including 61 that had been documented previously. Most were constructed before 1930. Buildings were mapped and photographed from public streets with care taken to avoid trespassing on private property. The survey also included extensive historical research completed with the assistance of local residents. It found numerous architecturally significant buildings including homes, commercial buildings, churches, schools, and landscape features.
The final survey report recommended that a large portion of Bellevue Borough is eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places as a historic district, with a period of significance of 1865-1950. A total of 1,881 resources in the district were evaluated as contributing, and only 340 non-contributing. Nearly 80% were constructed between 1880 and 1930, most of them during the three decades of intense speculative real estate development at the turn-of-the-century after streetcar lines were constructed from Pittsburgh’s North Side into the area that became the North Boros. The report notes: “This streetcar suburb developed as the desire for orderly, beautiful housing in close proximity to Pittsburgh created a demand to transform farmland into a suburban ideal.”
In February 2022 the State Historic Preservation Office officially concurred with the survey’s recommendations regarding the National Register eligibility of the Bellevue Borough Historic District. The next step will be the preparation of a formal nomination which will be submitted to the National Park Service. National Register status opens the door to a broad array of future historic preservation and economic development initiatives. The intended outcome is to engage neighbors in proactively designing the future of Bellevue’s built landscape to benefit all residents while honoring the area’s heritage.
According to Chris Driscoll, who spearheaded the survey project, “Bonafide Bellevue inspires community-driven vibrancy, and calling attention to Bellevue’s historic assets is a continuous theme that has garnered significant interest and participation in projects such as the Bellevue House Tour and Historic Plaque Program.” Driscoll continues, “This grant will support the further celebration of our community by the documentation of its resources.”
Former State Rep. Adam Ravenstahl expressed his support behind this initiative: “By preserving and building on the past, we can ensure that future generations know about our community’s history while supporting the vibrant evolution of our neighborhoods.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the National Register of Historic Places?
The National Register of Historic Places is the nation’s official list of buildings, sites, structures, and districts recognized for their historical, architectural, or cultural significance. It is administered by the National Park Service in partnership with state historic preservation offices.
Why is Bellevue pursuing National Register designation?
The designation recognizes Bellevue’s unique history and architectural character while creating opportunities for future investment. National Register listing can help make the community more competitive for preservation grants, Main Street initiatives, façade improvement programs, rehabilitation tax credits for qualifying income-producing properties, and other revitalization efforts.
Has Bellevue already received funding?
Yes. Bona Fide Bellevue has received a Pennsylvania State Historic Preservation Office Keystone Historic Preservation Planning Grant to prepare the National Register nomination. Matching funds are being provided by Bona Fide Bellevue, and no Borough tax dollars are being used for the project.
What happens next?
A qualified preservation consultant will be selected to prepare the National Register nomination. Beginning in September 2026, the consultant will conduct additional research as needed, prepare the nomination, and lead a public outreach process that includes informational meetings and opportunities for community participation before the nomination is submitted.
Will residents have opportunities to participate?
Yes. Community engagement is an important part of the project. Residents, business owners, and property owners will be invited to attend public meetings, review project materials, ask questions, and provide feedback throughout the nomination process.
Does National Register listing place restrictions on my property?
No. National Register listing does not regulate what private property owners can do with their homes or businesses.
Owners are free to remodel, renovate, construct additions, replace windows or roofs, change paint colors, landscape their property, or even demolish a building using private funds, subject only to existing local zoning and building regulations.
Will I be required to restore or maintain my property?
No. National Register listing does not require owners to restore, preserve, or maintain their buildings.
Will my property taxes increase?
National Register designation alone does not increase property taxes. Property assessments continue to be determined through the normal county assessment process.
Does listing affect the sale of my home?
No. National Register listing does not place deed restrictions or covenants on private property and does not affect an owner’s ability to sell their property.
Will every building in Bellevue be included?
No. The proposed district will include properties that contribute to Bellevue’s historic character. The final boundaries and contributing resources will be determined during preparation of the National Register nomination.
Can property owners object to the nomination?
Yes. Federal regulations provide a formal process for private property owners to submit objections during the National Register nomination process. Information about this process will be shared as the project moves forward.
Will National Register designation lead to gentrification?
Historic designation alone does not cause gentrification. The goal is to preserve Bellevue’s historic character while strengthening neighborhoods, supporting local businesses, encouraging appropriate investment, and maintaining a welcoming community for residents of all backgrounds. Achieving these goals requires thoughtful planning, community engagement, and balancing economic development with housing affordability.
Where can I learn more?
This page will be updated throughout the project with announcements, project documents, meeting schedules, frequently asked questions, and opportunities to participate.
When was this shared with the public?
A press release was sent out in June 2019. Local newspapers The Trib and The Citizen picked up the story. The Mayor and Chief of Police were informed in January 2020 that ALL properties would be surveyed at ANY point in 2020. We received an acknowledgment and no further conversation was generated. We are not aware of any communication made from the borough to the public.
This question was submitted by a Bellevue resident.
What qualifies a property as historic without surveying?
While this is largely open to individual interpretation, general consensus is that age, architectural style, and integrity and/or a place of a significant event or person in history. Our third party consultant will be developing these definitions based on their expertise.
This question was submitted by a Bellevue resident.
I'm concerned this project will produce too much information on properties.
All information or data collected is already publicly accessible. Additionally, this work is not being used for gentrification purposes or raising taxes.
This question was submitted by a Bellevue resident.
Celebrating Bellevue’s History
Bellevue History
Historic Home Recognition Plaques
