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Monroe to Apply for State SHPO Grant to Update Downtown National Historic District
Summary
Council authorized staff to apply for a Certified Local Government reimbursable grant to hire a consultant to update and expand Monroe's Downtown National Historic District survey; city requests $20,000 for FY26 with an $8,000 local match if selected.
Monroe — The Monroe City Council authorized staff to apply for a Certified Local Government (CLG) grant administered by the State Historic Preservation Office to fund an architectural survey and nomination to update and expand the Downtown National Historic District.
Planning staff said the current National Register survey dates to 1987 and does not reflect building changes since that time. Carrie Mendler told the council the proposed project would hire a consultant to complete a research and architectural survey needed for a nomination to expand the district boundary and update the existing survey.
Mendler described the grant terms and scope: the city seeks $20,000 for fiscal year 2026 under the CLG program; the grant is a 60/40 match with 60% reimbursable to the city, meaning staff said that if the city is selected it would be responsible for an $8,000 local match and would receive $12,000 in reimbursable funds. Mendler said the work would update the existing 1987 survey (which listed 34 structures, 26 contributing at that time), potentially add 16 structures and extend the period of significance to 1976 per National Park Service 50-year guidance.
Staff described the federal/state process and timeline: a study list and nomination are submitted to the State Historic Preservation Office, which reviews and forwards to the National Register Advisory Committee; Mendler said state staff conducted a site visit in September 2024 and that the National Register Advisory Committee reviewed the proposed expansion area in February 2025.
Council members asked about specific properties and mapping questions; Mendler said properties not included in the proposed boundary could be added to the study list for later consideration. A motion to authorize staff to apply for the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) grant passed by voice vote with no opposition.
Next steps: if selected the city will contract for a consultant to complete the architectural survey and nomination documents and return to council with final materials.
