College Place panel discusses CLG grant to nominate Walla Walla University and local houses to National Register

The College Place Historic Preservation Commission on March 20 discussed pursuing a Certified Local Government (CLG) grant to prepare National Register nominations for Walla Walla University and one or more private houses in College Place. The commission set a target of preparing an application before the May 30, 2025 CLG deadline and agreed to contact the university and an interested homeowner about possible nominations.

The CLG program is federal funding administered through the National Park Service and passed through the state historic-preservation office, Commission member staff said. Spencer Howard, a preservation consultant with Northwest Vernacular, told commissioners that a reconnaissance survey already completed in 2018–19 strengthens a CLG application, and that owner consent is a pivotal element for National Register nominations: "The biggest thing though on the national register designation is that you need owner consent," Howard said.

Howard and commissioners emphasized the difference between the federal National Register of Historic Places and local register designation. "The national register does not have any controls. It's an honorary designation," Howard said, adding that a National Register listing by itself does not prevent a private owner from altering or demolishing a building unless federal or state funding triggers review. By contrast, local registers typically include design review and controls that can restrict demolition or exterior changes.

Howard explained that a federal "Section 106" review under the National Historic Preservation Act is triggered when a project has a federal nexus (for example, direct federal funding) and that Washington's equivalent, the governor's executive order identified in the discussion as Executive Order 2102, applies when state capital funds are involved. For projects that use state capital funding, Howard said the university or project sponsor would need to consult with the state Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation (DAHP) to identify historic properties and consider impacts.

Commissioners and guests discussed specific targets for a nomination. Howard identified the Walla Walla University campus as a possible historic district because many campus buildings are more than 50 years old and could provide long-term management and marketing benefits if documented and nominated. Commissioners also discussed a privately owned house on Northeast Spitzenburg (identified in the meeting as 575 Northeast Spitzenburg) whose current owner had previously expressed interest in a nomination; Howard said a single-house National Register nomination for a willing owner would be competitive and could serve as an example for other property owners.

Howard outlined potential financial tools and incentives that can follow listing or local designation. He said federal historic rehabilitation tax credits are normally available only for income-producing properties and are usually not practical for a private nonprofit university. State heritage capital grants may be available in future budget cycles but are competitive and require matching funds. Howard also described the Washington state special tax valuation program (a property-tax relief program discussed in the meeting) that requires owners to spend at least 25% of the building's assessed value on qualified rehabilitation within a 24-month window to qualify; if approved, that program reduces assessed value for property-tax calculation for up to 10 years, subject to local ordinance and a city agreement.

Commissioner Catherine Ferguson, who identified herself as having decades of experience in historic preservation and archaeology, supported careful outreach to the university and to property owners so they understand the differences between National Register listing and local controls. Commissioner Peterson asked whether private owners must get permission to make changes if a property is on the National Register; Howard replied: "No. As long as they're not using federal funds for that or state capital funds appropriated through the state legislature," owners may make changes with private funds, though those changes could affect continued National Register eligibility.

The commission agreed on next steps: staff was asked to arrange an in-person conversation with Walla Walla University administrators to explain the implications of a National Register nomination and to reach out to the owner of the Spitzenburg property to confirm current interest. Commissioners noted they should limit the number of commissioners attending such preliminary meetings to avoid creating a quorum; the chair asked that two commissioners plus staff or consultants be the initial contacts. The CLG grant application deadline was reiterated as May 30, 2025.

Why it matters: Commissioners said an organized nomination process could give the university a clearer inventory of historic resources to use for long-term campus planning, provide an educational and marketing asset, and help qualifying owners access state technical assistance or future preservation funding. The commission did not vote on a formal application at the meeting; members directed staff to open conversations with the university and a willing private owner before deciding whether to submit a CLG application.

Votes at a glance: No formal votes were recorded on the CLG application itself. The commission agreed by consensus to pursue outreach and report back at the April meeting.