Commission narrows resource-inventory work, assigns street‑level checks with Oct. 15 deadline

The Historic Preservation Commission on Wednesday moved to a streamlined process for updating the city—s historic resource inventory, assigning commissioners to conduct street‑level checks of previously listed addresses and setting an Oct. 15 deadline to return completed forms.

Commissioners said the work is intended to reconcile the existing inventory with buildings that remain in the city and to flag properties that need deeper historical research. The commission will use a simplified survey form rather than the more detailed inventory template saved by staff to make the field work accessible to volunteers and non‑historians.

Why it matters: an updated inventory will be the basis for future grant work and for deciding which properties the commission wants to nominate for state or national recognition. Commissioners said a pared‑down field check will let the group gather a reliable starting set of candidates without requiring specialized historical research.

The commission laid out how volunteers should complete the checks: visit each assigned address, confirm whether the building remains at that location, compare the structure to the existing inventory photo and note obvious changes (moved building, major alterations, demolition). Commissioners were asked to flag properties that merit further research or fill gaps in the inventory.

Commissioners and staff discussed a multi‑step approach for deeper work under a Certified Local Government (CLG) grant. The proposed approach: 1) use the volunteer surface‑level inventory to identify neighborhoods and structures that are underrepresented in the current inventory; 2) have a consultant perform a focused second phase of substantial historical research on a small set of candidate buildings the commission selects.

Budget and timeline details discussed at the meeting: staff said CLG grants the commission has pursued can provide up to about $15,000 for this type of work; the commission plans to review a draft grant application in November and, if it applies, would start consultant work in July of the following year. Commissioners agreed the field checks should be completed and compiled ahead of the next commission meeting so staff can prepare a draft RFP and a grant scope.

Commissioners also discussed priorities for expansion of the inventory: broaden the geographic scope beyond the familiar downtown blocks, extend the inventory—s period of significance to include mid‑century buildings where appropriate, and focus consultant time on distinctive examples rather than adding routine houses.

Outreach: staff will coordinate with the city—s public information officer on a low‑cost public call for property owners to submit houses they want inventoried or researched; commissioners suggested pairing that outreach with the city—s Old‑Fashioned Festival next July to raise awareness and capture volunteer leads.

Next steps and assignment: staff will distribute the simplified survey form to commissioners and volunteers; commissioners are to complete their assigned addresses and submit results to staff by Oct. 15. Staff will compile the returns for review at the following commission meeting and begin drafting the CLG grant RFP and scope.

Ending: The commission emphasized that the initial phase is intended to be volunteer‑friendly and lightweight; deeper historical research will be handled by a consultant if the commission secures grant funding and selects target properties.