La Plata commission previews Centennial Plaque Program for properties 100 years and older

Town staff described a proposed Centennial Plaque Program that would recognize buildings, structures, objects and sites in La Plata that can be documented as at least 100 years old. The commission discussed eligibility, material choices and program mechanics and asked staff to return with a revised draft resolution for forwarding to the town council.

Don Dooley explained the program’s purpose, nomination criteria and sample plaque language and images. He told commissioners staff identified roughly 23 residential and 19 commercial properties that appear to meet the 100‑year threshold and estimated a 10×7 bronze-style plaque would cost approximately $349 while a lower-cost aluminum option would cost about $39. "The program fundamentally would require application and documentation to prove that the resource was at least 100 years old," Dooley said.

Commissioners asked whether the plaque program requires a building to retain original material; Dooley said the Centennial program is intentionally simple and tied to age rather than integrity, and that a separate future program could recognize locally designated historic resources that retain integrity once the town completes a resource survey. Commissioners recommended adding a modest owner agreement to clarify maintenance responsibilities and suggested including language that anticipates future additions (for example, QR-code links for a walking tour).

Staff said the commission could nominate properties, the owner would be responsible for installation and maintenance, and staff will return with a resolution and the agreed clarifications so the council can review and (if funded) approve the program.