Erie reports near-complete citywide historic survey; CLG mini-grant awarded, State Street National Register work awaits RFP

City staff told the Historic Review Commission on July 7 that the citywide historic resource survey is nearing completion and that most fieldwork is finished. Staff said surveyors are entering data into PA-SHARE, the Pennsylvania State Historic Preservation Office database, and expect the work to be wrapped up within about a month.

Staff also briefed commissioners that the department applied for and was awarded a Certified Local Government (CLG) mini-grant to hire a researcher to prepare an individual National Register nomination for a city-owned property determined eligible for listing. The planner said the grant award is contingent on internal city approvals and an RFP to hire the researcher; if approvals are not obtained the city will cancel that project and seek another eligible project instead.

State Street National Register and training Commissioners asked about the State Street National Register Historic District nomination. Staff said that work is not as far along: the next step rests with community partners issuing a request for proposals (RFP). The National Alliance of Preservation Commissions (NAPC) has also agreed to hold a one-day training in Erie in September; staff proposed a tentative date in late September and said organizers prefer Friday for travel reasons, but that Saturday is an alternative. Staff will follow up to select a final date after commissioners check calendars.

CLG funding timeline Staff noted that the state’s larger CLG grant round has been delayed until fall this year, and that the city hopes to apply for a larger CLG grant later in the year to continue survey work beyond the initial neighborhoods surveyed. Current survey work has covered a half dozen neighborhoods and staff described a need for a second phase to ensure citywide representation.

Correspondence and public interest Staff said the commission received correspondence from A. D. J. Wilson asking questions about four Spanish hymns in Lakeview Cemetery and reminding the city those items were gifted on loan to the cemetery. Staff said they will research records of donation so the city can respond to Wilson’s inquiry.

What’s next Staff asked commissioners to identify potential candidates and community partners to aid recruitment for the commission as the number of nominations is likely to increase once Article 7 is ratified and the moratorium lifted.