Out with the deteriorating, unappealing houses and in with the new or rehabilitated houses in Washington’s historic district, especially in the Water Street area.

Just several days ago, the city’s Historic Preservation Commission granted certificates of appropriateness to build two new houses and replacing siding on a house on 400 block of Water Street. Those three projects, along with others in the area, will improve the look of the area that abuts the Moss Landing Harbor Homes development.

John Rodman, the city’s community and cultural resources director, is convinced the increase in construction of single-family homes at Moss Landing is a catalyst for what’s happening on Water Street and other nearby areas. Emily Rebert, the city’s preservation planner, would like to see the ongoing development activity in the Water Street-South Academy Street area become a lasting trend. “I hope so. I hope to see all growth happening in the historic district. We have empty lots. If we can build homes that will at least in 50 years become contributing structures to the historic district, why not?” she said.

The improvements on Water Street should increase the values of neighboring houses and increase the appeal of the historic district. When people improve their properties, that tends to motivate their neighbors to do the same.

The city’s Historic Preservation Commission has been busy studying and acting on requests to build new houses and renovate existing ones. Not all requests are approved. After all, the commission is charged with protecting the integrity of the historic district.

The commission also works to prevent historic buildings from deteriorating by way of neglect. The city’s demolition-by-neglect ordinance is used by the city to keep historically and/or architecturally significant properties from deteriorating to the point they cannot be saved by rehabilitation measures. The city, through Rebert, is working with about a dozen property owners. About 50 of the 600 historic structures in the city are classified as being in need of significant repairs to keep them from further deteriorating.

That effort, combined with the building of new houses, can only result in a historic district of which the city and its residents can be proud.