Board approves Hannon House upgrades to improve accessibility, retain historic fabric
February 12, 2026 | Bothell, King County, Washington
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The Bothell Landmark Preservation Board unanimously approved a certificate of appropriateness on Feb. 11 for proposed accessibility upgrades and preservation work at the Hannon House, a city-owned historic residence at the Park at Bothell Landing.
Adam Alsabrook, the city's historic preservation consultant, presented findings that the proposed work — removing a noncompliant concrete ramp and cheek walls and adding an elevated walkway and decking — would retain remaining historic materials and minimize impacts to character-defining features. He recommended the board grant the certificate, noting the work meets Secretary of the Interior rehabilitation standards numbers 2, 3, 5, 6, 9 and 10.
Architects explained proposed reversible details including over-framing with painted wood and matching skirting boards where concrete cheek walls are removed. Designers said the elevated walkway approach eliminates the need for ramps and handrails that would otherwise alter historic facades and that the decking material under consideration is thermally modified wood for longevity.
Board members again raised questions about galvanized metal grating proposed at the threshold between new and historic work, the appropriate width of raised walkways to accommodate school groups, and the role the Landmark Board may have in interpretive signage. One member noted the board's authority is limited to the designated landmark buildings and cautioned against inserting conditions beyond that jurisdiction.
Board member Sanpai moved to approve the Hannon House certificate of appropriateness; the motion referenced findings of compliance with Bothell Municipal Code Title 22, Chapter 28 and the Secretary of the Interior standards, and included a directive to coordinate interpretive signage design with the landmark board and museum (the chair noted a point of order that some signage decisions fall outside the board’s strict purview). The motion passed unanimously.
Next steps: project teams will proceed to permitting and finalize design details, including walkway widths and interpretive signage, to return to staff and the board as needed.
Adam Alsabrook, the city's historic preservation consultant, presented findings that the proposed work — removing a noncompliant concrete ramp and cheek walls and adding an elevated walkway and decking — would retain remaining historic materials and minimize impacts to character-defining features. He recommended the board grant the certificate, noting the work meets Secretary of the Interior rehabilitation standards numbers 2, 3, 5, 6, 9 and 10.
Architects explained proposed reversible details including over-framing with painted wood and matching skirting boards where concrete cheek walls are removed. Designers said the elevated walkway approach eliminates the need for ramps and handrails that would otherwise alter historic facades and that the decking material under consideration is thermally modified wood for longevity.
Board members again raised questions about galvanized metal grating proposed at the threshold between new and historic work, the appropriate width of raised walkways to accommodate school groups, and the role the Landmark Board may have in interpretive signage. One member noted the board's authority is limited to the designated landmark buildings and cautioned against inserting conditions beyond that jurisdiction.
Board member Sanpai moved to approve the Hannon House certificate of appropriateness; the motion referenced findings of compliance with Bothell Municipal Code Title 22, Chapter 28 and the Secretary of the Interior standards, and included a directive to coordinate interpretive signage design with the landmark board and museum (the chair noted a point of order that some signage decisions fall outside the board’s strict purview). The motion passed unanimously.
Next steps: project teams will proceed to permitting and finalize design details, including walkway widths and interpretive signage, to return to staff and the board as needed.
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