If you go The Longmont Downtown National Historic District designation is set for 4 p.m. on Feb. 9 at the Firehouse Art Center, 67 4th Ave. The ceremony will include a ribbon cutting by the Longmont Area Chamber of Commerce followed by a walking tour of the district. From 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., the Longmont Downtown Development Authority will host its Second Friday event, which includes extended retail hours, gallery exhibits, and restaurant promotions.

As a result of efforts that began in 2012, a portion of downtown Longmont has been named to the National Register of Historic Places.

A dedication ceremony followed by a walking tour of downtown is set for 4 p.m. on Feb. 9 at the Firehouse Art Center.

The staff with the city and the Longmont Downtown Development Authority spearheaded the effort to gain recognition for the district, which is generally bound by 3rd Avenue to the south, 5th Avenue to the north, Coffman Street to the west, and Emery Street to the east.

“People really love and value our downtown area’s authenticity — it’s a real working main street,” development authority executive director Kimberlee McKee said. “We just really want to bring public awareness to our history.”

The district is made up of 83 buildings, 69 of which were built between 1879 and 1967 and are considered historically significant.

Four of those are structures individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places: the Firehouse Art Center building, St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, the Carnegie Library, and the Dickens Opera House.

“Longmont has so many gems,” Visit Longmont Executive Director Nancy Rezac said, adding that she expects the historic designation will boost downtown tourism.

“People want to travel to experience firsthand places that are really genuine,” she said. “This (designation) will help let visitors know that Longmont is one of those places they have to come check out.”

Beryl Durazo, Firehouse Art Center executive director, said the district designation helps boost the city’s profile as an up-and-coming hub for arts, business, food, and entertainment.

“Downtown Longmont is growing in terms of cultural opportunities,” she said, “and that’s really exciting.”

In addition to being a benefit to local tourism and business, the historical designation could be a good thing for district residents.

Karen Bryan, Longmont city preservation planner, said homeowners within the district boundaries may be eligible for certain grants or tax credits to help repair or preserve their properties.

Recognition by the National Register of Historic Places is both “a marketing tool for the city and a way to help enhance downtown,” she said.

Lucas High: 303-684-5310, lhigh@times-call.com