On August 4, 2020, City Council directed staff to prepare an all-inclusive Downtown Historic District application for an area inclusive of Main Street and Alamo Avenues. The draft application is scheduled to be made public at the August 4, 2021 City Council study session.

The purpose of designating a historic district in Littleton is to recognize, preserve, and enhance areas that represent distinctive periods of an area’s cultural, social and architectural history and development. A Historic District fosters civic pride, attracts visitors, supports economic vibrancy, and promotes the use of historic properties for education, enjoyment and well-being of property owners and surrounding residents. 

Historic districts do not prevent changes from occurring, nor do they prevent new construction. The city’s historic preservation code protects designated properties through demolition, and exterior alteration. The goals of the review process are to retain and enhance historic properties, encourage their adaptation for current use, and ensure that all modifications are compatible with the character of the historic district.