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Kingman commission seeks updated historic property survey, staff to apply for SHPO grant
Summary
Commissioners heard a Preserve Arizona conference report and approved pursuing a grant application to update Kingman's historic property survey so the city can identify landmarks and potential historic districts.
The Heritage Preservation Commission reviewed findings from the 2025 Preserve Arizona Conference and directed staff to pursue a grant application with the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) to fund an updated historic property survey for Kingman.
Staff said the city's last comprehensive surveys were completed in 1979 and 1984 and that an updated inventory is needed to identify properties that may qualify as historic landmarks or become part of a historic overlay district. Development services staff member Josh and staffer Sylvia told the commission, "All of the nominations have to go before the state review board," and staff explained the state review board meets three times a year and that the nomination process typically requires at least 135 days to allow SHPO and owners time for review and comment.
Commissioners discussed how federal funding for State Historic Preservation Offices is volatile: speakers said about 90% of SHPO funding is federal and that the state historically provided a 40% match but had used in-kind volunteer hours since the 2009 recession. Staff identified other grant sources and partners — Local First Arizona, the Arizona Community Foundation and a Route 66 regional grant program — and said they would apply for available survey grants and bring results back to the commission for designation decisions.
Staff outlined next steps: complete the SHPO grant application within the coming month, hire a consultant to conduct an initial survey if funded, and return to the commission with a draft inventory and recommendations. The commission also requested staff provide a copy of the current list of historic properties and to invite related city staff (for example the development services director) to explain the formal designation process when the survey results are ready.
Separately, the commission saw a tourism office documentary about Kingman's history; commissioners discussed outreach and possible invitations to the Kingman Unified School District superintendent to speak about local historic sites.
