Davenport historic preservation commission approves 2025 work plan; elects chair and vice chair

The Davenport Historic Preservation Commission on Feb. 11 approved its 2025 work plan and elected a chair and vice chair, following a discussion that prioritized outreach to real estate agents, schools and neighborhood organizations.

The work plan — part of the city’s annual submission to the State Historic Preservation Office to maintain certified local government status — was approved by roll call after commissioners discussed outreach and education strategies, inventory work and event planning. Matt, a city staff member who presented the annual report and draft plan, said the commission must "complete the online application and then submit it to the state for review by the February 28 deadline."

Why it matters: the certified local government designation ties the commission to state preservation programs and training; the work plan sets the commission’s public-education and inventory priorities for the coming year and identifies projects where the commission and staff will invest time.

Commissioners highlighted several priorities during the discussion. Commissioners raised concerns about continuing the commission’s tab at summer "Party in the Park" events, saying the family-oriented crowd has not consistently reached historic property owners. "I would be supportive of not spending that time," said George, a commissioner who said he has staffed that booth previously, arguing the event does not reliably reach the commission’s target audience. Commissioners suggested reallocating volunteer hours to targeted outreach such as direct mailings to real estate agents and coordination with neighborhood associations, especially the Gold Coast/Hamburg Historic District group.

The commission reviewed activity from 2024: staff reported 20 certificate-of-appropriateness applications (several tied to the Dream Plus grant program along the Gaines Street Corridor and Hamburg Historic District), three demolition requests, and three certificates of public hazard. Matt explained the distinction: "A certificate of public hazard would be a structure that's deemed by the chief building official and the fire marshal to be ... a hazard to the public," noting those typically follow fire, flood or collision damage and "they typically result in demolition." The Dream Plus program was described as offering up to $50,000 to historic homeowners.

Members discussed outreach options including: (1) sending informational materials to local real estate agencies about historic-district rules and renovation requirements; (2) expanding collaboration with the Davenport Library’s special collections and resuming the Downtown Davenport architectural walking tours (which ran four or five dates last summer and fall); (3) developing programming tied to National History Day and school outreach; and (4) improving the commission’s presence on the city website to showcase preservation successes and before-and-after examples.

The commission also noted an ongoing reconnaissance-level architectural survey connected with a city resurfacing and two-way conversion project on West Fourth Street; staff said findings could be shared with the commission for possible public education or targeted preservation actions.

Direction to staff and next steps included submitting the online application to the State Historic Preservation Office by Feb. 28 and having Laura, a city staff member, present the certified local government report at next week’s city council management update.

Votes at a glance: the commission approved the 2025 work plan by roll-call vote (individual roll-call responses were recorded during the meeting). In other formal action, the commission conducted its annual chair and vice chair vote: the meeting announcement recorded "4 votes for Michael Haseti to be chair, and 4 votes for Chris Kretz to remain as vice chair."

The commission closed its meeting with a reminder that the next regular meeting is March 11.

Ending: Commissioners said they will refine the work plan text based on discussion points and staff will file the application on the deadline; commissioners also signaled interest in shifting outreach away from general festival tabling toward targeted education for realtors, schools and neighborhood groups.