Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Community Event topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Residents propose ‘Ames: A Glimpse Inside’ event to showcase historic sites and Black history
Summary
Local residents proposed a citywide, volunteer-driven event to open historic buildings and connect heritage sites; presenters asked the Historic Preservation Commission to consider appointing a member to the event’s steering committee and to discuss possible city funding at the next meeting.
Shelly Orngard, who said she lives at 928 Burnett, presented a working concept called “Ames: A Glimpse Inside” to highlight historic buildings, neighborhoods and stories across Ames and asked the Historic Preservation Commission to consider appointing a commissioner to the event’s steering committee.
Orngard said the project is in early planning and drew inspiration from programs such as Open House Chicago and Doors Open Minneapolis. She said initial partners include the Ames History Museum, Downtown Ames and the Old Town Neighborhood Association, and that Iowa State design students have expressed interest in helping with materials and design.
Commission members asked about timing and costs; Orngard said organizers are still developing a budget but expect needs for marketing, signage and printed materials and hope to secure both in-kind and financial support. Staff and commissioners noted that any request for city funding would require a formal request to City Council and that the commission could place an item on a future agenda to decide whether to join the steering committee or request funds.
Charles Pearson, an African American historic-resources consultant, later told the commission he believes Ames has strong sites for Black history and encouraged the commission to help identify Black-owned properties that might qualify for local designation or the National Register to support tourism and educational programming. "Ames has the best stops, the best sites for people to get the black experiences in Iowa," he said, and urged partnering on driving and walking tours linking Tri-Stadium, Lincoln Highway and downtown destinations.
The commission voted to add an item to its next meeting agenda to consider appointing a commission member to the steering committee and to discuss whether to request city funding and how much. The vote does not itself commit city funds; any financial request would go to City Council for approval.
