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Commission explores historic-plaque designs, cost-sharing and 2026 budget for a homeowner plaque program
Summary
Staff presented design mock-ups and vendor options for bronze and aluminum plaques and recommended budgeting for a pilot plaque program in the 2026 city budget; staff proposed a 50/50 cost-share with homeowners and to start with an 8x8 standard size, pending further design decisions.
The Bowling Green Historic Preservation Commission reviewed design options and vendor pricing for historical plaques, discussed whether to subsidize homeowner purchases, and agreed to consider funding for a pilot plaque program in the 2026 budget.
Heather (Staff member) presented a set of design options from a sign company and said the commission must decide basic specifications — text, city seal inclusion and size — before requesting comparable quotes from multiple vendors.
“ It goes through and explains the whole process and everything,” Heather said, referring to the city ordinance materials she planned to give property owners as an introduction to the designation and plaque process. She also suggested a potential cost-sharing model: “we may want to consider maybe $50.50 splitting this with a property owner.”
Commissioners discussed materials and longevity: staff said bronze is more expensive but offers greater permanence; aluminum is less costly. Because the commission did not budget for plaques in the current year, Heather recommended planning the program into the 2026 budget cycle, which the commission begins discussing in October, and noted the city fiscal year begins in January.
Resident Jean Ladd, who said she owns a locally listed house on Buttonwood, told commissioners she would contribute toward a plaque: “ My name is Jean Ladd, and I live at 503 Buttonwood Bowling Green for 47 years now. And we got accredited for being the harms house... And I'd be glad to have a sign and I'd pay whatever.” Commissioners said they would explore example language (year built, date added to the register, or both), sample sizes (8x8 was discussed) and price breaks for group orders.
No motion was made to allocate funds at this meeting; commissioners directed staff to refine designs, collect multiple vendor quotes for standard sizes, and return with sample text and cost options to consider for the 2026 budget.
