City staff reported that the City of College Place has been awarded an $18,000 Certified Local Government (CLG) grant to prepare a National Register district nomination for the Walla Walla University campus.

Senior planner Michael Merritt said staff met with the university and its president on Aug. 16 and the university voted to support pursuing the designation. The city applied for the CLG grant in partnership with Walla Walla University; staff received confirmation in August that the application was successful, but Merritt said the city is awaiting DAP (state or federal grant administrator) receipt of federal funds before the grant can be executed.

Merritt said the funds will primarily pay for professional services to prepare the nomination document, and the city will solicit consultant proposals once funds are available. Council members congratulated staff on securing the grant; staff noted this will be the city’s first official National Register nomination project if completed.

Staff will notify the council when the official grant paperwork and letter are received and will begin consultant selection once funds are available.