Commission outlines outreach plans: Party in the Park, Preserve Iowa summit takeaways and public training offer

The Historic Preservation Commission discussed public outreach and education during other business Tuesday, confirming participation at two Party in the Park events and sharing takeaways from the recent Preserve Iowa Summit.

Commissioners signed up to staff a preservation table at Party in the Park on July 17 at Vets (Vegembury) Park and on Aug. 7 at Credit Island. Staff said the commission will partner with Davenport Library Special Collections and the Scott County Historic Preservation Society at those events.

Staff also reported on the Preserve Iowa Summit, attended by commissioners and staff, as a useful source of ideas for community engagement and training. Planning staff introduced new planner Matt Roo, who will assist HPC activities and attend the July outreach event.

In public comment, Jan Stoffer, director of operations at the Butterworth Center at Deer Wyman House, offered to host training for commissioners and property owners and extended an annual invitation to participate in Butterworth’s Porch Party on Sept. 21 from noon to 5 p.m., asking for representation from about 1–4 p.m. She described the training idea as webinars or in-person speakers with breakout discussions for local application. “We are in conversation about the potential of developing a future partnership,” she said.

Commissioners expressed interest in educational outreach and agreed to follow up at future meetings about training and tour ideas.

Provenance: other-business discussion, staff report and public comment in the meeting transcript.