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Historic commission to reapply for Indiana Humanities grant and prepare outreach to downtown property owners
Summary
After a denial from Indiana Humanities, staff will revise the QR‑code/walking‑tour application for January 2026 reapplication and the commission plans to mail informational letters to property and business owners in the historic district to reduce future unauthorized exterior changes.
Staff told the commission their application to Indiana Humanities for a downtown QR‑code and walking‑tour project was denied but included constructive feedback and a path forward.
"We were denied the grant," the staff report said, adding that reviewers questioned whether the project timeline (proposed at six to eight months) was achievable and suggested including material already completed. Staff said the reviewer (last name Hamlin) recommended reapplying in January 2026 with fuller documentation of work already done.
Staff described the grant as matching: the city had pledged $1,000 and Main Street $1,000 and the application asked Indiana Humanities to match those funds (raising a proposed total to $4,000). Commission members discussed partnering more closely with Main Street and agreed staff should reapply and refine the proposal.
Separately, staff outlined a planned outreach effort to notify property owners and business operators that their parcels fall within the historic district and to provide links to the preservation guidelines and Sherwin‑Williams paint palette. The staff draft letter (read in part to the commission) states the HPC "is here to assist you with the process of receiving a certificate of appropriateness for any and all exterior work that is subject to public view as per City of Angola's short preservation guidelines and 15.25 of the city code." Staff said they will coordinate with Main Street and explore county records or realtor contacts to identify changed ownership and keep mailings current.
Next steps: staff will revise and resubmit the Indiana Humanities application in the January 2026 cycle and finalize the property‑owner letters and distribution plan with Main Street.
