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Commission briefs public on progress of Wildwood historic preservation plan and community engagement
Summary
Consultant MIG completed a multi‑day visit, public open house and focus groups; city staff said the draft existing conditions and community engagement summaries have been submitted to the State Historic Preservation Office as the plan reaches roughly 30% completion.
City staff and the Historic Preservation Commission reported progress on Wildwood’s first historic preservation plan following a week of public engagement and a consultant visit. MIG consultants Marsha Boyle and Laurie Matthews led a multi‑site tour, focus groups and an open house in late July; the commission said about 50 attendees participated in the open house and that several other targeted focus groups — including African American and indigenous heritage groups — drew robust participation.
Why it matters: The plan is the city’s first formal historic preservation plan and will guide future survey, interpretive programming and preservation approaches. The plan also forms part of required documentation to maintain the city’s Certified Local Government (CLG) status, which qualifies the city for State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) funding and technical assistance.
Key deliverables and next steps: Staff provided commissioners the consultant’s existing conditions draft, engagement boards, the engagement summary, and a plan outline; those items were sent to SHPO as evidence the project has reached roughly 30% completion. MIG will return for additional outreach at Celebrate Wildwood and present a brief update to city council on Sept. 8. Staff said Monday focus groups will include representatives from Washington University’s native studies program and Joe Harrell from the St. Louis Center for Archaeological Research.
Commission feedback: Commissioners praised MIG’s assessment of Wildwood’s Route 66 corridor potential and urged staff to use the upcoming council presentation to link the preservation plan to specific council funding decisions. One commissioner suggested MIG’s council presentation could help persuade council members to support related restoration projects, such as the Asen Log Cabin reassembly.
Training and CLG reporting: Staff reminded commissioners that to remain a CLG the commission must submit an annual report to the state and that each commissioner must complete at least one approved training during the reporting period. Staff said a new SHPO CLG coordinator has been appointed and will serve as the commission’s state contact.
Ending: MIG and staff plan further engagement at Celebrate Wildwood and will deliver additional public drafts; staff asked commissioners to review the submitted materials and participate in upcoming focus groups and trainings.
