Historic Preservation Commission reviews CLG annual report and national-register nomination

Ames City staff reviewed the Certified Local Government (CLG) annual report process and the commission—s 2024 accomplishments, and invited input on priorities for the 2025 work plan.

Staff explained the CLG program is a state-administered federal program that makes communities eligible for preservation funding. Staff cited a recent intensive survey of the Chautauqua Park and Ridgewood additions (150 properties surveyed), continued funding to the Ames Historical Museum, and commission attendance at the Preserve Iowa Summit as 2024 successes.

The commission discussed items to include in the 2025 work plan: public education (tax-credit outreach and design-guideline guidance), continued member training, web updates, and a possible awards program. Commissioners debated whether to renew membership in the National Alliance of Preservation Commissions and generally favored retaining training and awards while questioning the value of national membership given limited perceived returns.

Staff also reported progress on a National Register nomination for the Chautauqua Park and Ridgewood subdivisions: a draft nomination has been prepared and would be submitted to the state historic preservation office imminently; state reviewers are expected to consider it at a committee meeting in June. The nomination process, staff said, involves consultant revisions in response to state review comments before final submission.

The commission agreed staff would prepare a draft CLG annual report and 2025 work plan to return to the commission at the January meeting, after which the commission would recommend it to city council for approval and then forward it to the state historic preservation office.