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Council approves 50-year conservation easement for Hall of Waters
Summary
The Excelsior Springs City Council unanimously approved Resolution 1547 requiring a conservation easement on the Hall of Waters as a condition of a Save America’s Treasures grant; the Missouri State Historic Preservation Office will hold and manage the easement.
The Excelsior Springs City Council on Jan. 21 adopted Resolution 1547 to place a conservation easement on the Hall of Waters required by the Save America’s Treasures grant.
City Economic Development Director Melinda Mahaffey told the council the grant formula requires 10 years of easement for every $100,000 awarded and that the city’s award covered roughly $500,000, ‘‘so it would be a 50 year easement on the . . . Hall Of Waters,’’ she said. Mahaffey said the Missouri State Historic Preservation Office has agreed to accept and manage the easement and that the city must notify the office before making changes that could affect features protected by the easement.
The easement will cover both exterior and interior architectural elements that give the Hall of Waters its character. Mahaffey said the State Historic Preservation Office reviewed the building in August and will weigh in on interior work such as elevator doors because ‘‘those doors are iconic to the building.’’ She told the council the original Saving America’s Treasures grant had focused on exterior work but emergency needs required use of some funds for interior work.
The council voted on a motion to approve Resolution 1547 and recorded a unanimous roll call: Councilman Rennie, Councilman McGovern, Councilman Saint John, Mayor Pro Tem Spear and Mayor Spahn all voted yes. The motion passed and Resolution 1547 was approved.
Mayor Spahn and other members praised the work to secure grants and preserve the building. The council did not attach additional directions to staff during the meeting; staff will follow the notification and review requirements with the State Historic Preservation Office as described by Mahaffey.
The easement is intended to ensure long-term preservation of the Hall of Waters’ distinctive materials and architectural features while allowing the city to proceed with grant-funded repairs and upgrades.
