City staff told the College Place Historic Preservation Commission on Aug. 21 that the city has been awarded an $18,000 Certified Local Government (CLG) grant from the state to pursue a National Register historic district nomination for the Walla Walla University campus.

Senior planner Michael (last name not specified in the record) said the city applied after the commission’s recommendation in March, sought and received permission from Walla Walla University to pursue a nomination, and met with the university’s master planning committee on May 16, which voted to support the nomination. The city’s grant application was presented to the grants committee on July 25, and staff were notified on Aug. 4 that the CLG award had been approved.

Michael said the $18,000 award will fund the nomination work but staff do not plan to begin significant work until the state funding is formally procured by the state historic preservation office. He said the city intends to scope the project with the Washington State Department of Archaeology & Historic Preservation (DAHP) and to develop a schedule for work in 2026. Michael told commissioners a project schedule is included in the grant application and that the planning director for the city is John Rickard.

Commissioners asked about timing and next steps. Michael said staff will be flexible: if DAHP releases funding and schedules permit, the city will proceed; if not, staff may cancel the October meeting or schedule work later in 2025. Michael also noted that a copy of the grant application is available for commissioners to review.

Committee member Natalie was identified as a likely participant on the project technical advisory group. Separately, commissioners discussed that longtime committee member Ed Conse is not doing well; the commission said it will seek an architect to serve on the Historic Preservation Commission in his place or as an additional member if needed. Staff asked for commissioner assistance in identifying a locally available architect who might serve on the commission or on the technical advisory group.

No formal action beyond the grant report was taken by the commission; the grant award notification was reported to the commission for its information.