Historic preservation officer lays out outreach plan to boost voluntary landmarking; commission agrees to begin work

Art Wright, the citys historic preservation officer, told the Historical Landmark Commission on Oct. 9 that the commission should pursue a proactive outreach program (agenda item 25-13-70) to increase voluntary landmark designations and to stem recent losses of historic resources.

Wright said the city currently lists 33 landmarks from an earlier survey, that only four properties were designated as landmarks in the last five years, and that 26 historic resources have been demolished or removed from the survey. He described a phased program of education and incentives: brochures and FAQs, a social-media "myths vs. facts" campaign, quarterly info sessions and office hours, mailings to owners with their property histories (he cited the Miller House example), a heritage-ambassador program that would recruit landmark owners to tell their stories, a contractor directory to steer owners to preservation-aware tradespeople, and recognition awards to honor restoration work.

Wright cautioned that state law makes landmarking voluntary, and the commission cannot force designation. He outlined existing local incentives (a current program that provides a 25% exemption on building value for 10 years, and programs that could offer larger reductions tied to specific investments) and said the commission should pursue partnerships (historic society, cemetery association, media partners) to amplify outreach.

Commissioners discussed options for implementation, weighing a full-commission approach against creating a subcommittee. They noted practical constraints (member availability) and proposed practical steps including dividing the existing list of landmark properties among commissioners for direct contact, creating outreach metrics to track responses and designations, and piloting recognition awards and media features. The commission leaned toward starting work within the full commission and re-evaluating whether a smaller subcommittee is needed to speed action.

Wright also delivered his officer's report: Founders' Day drew roughly 600 visitors; the commission spent $1,307.37 from its budget for outreach materials and the historical society donated $500 toward heritage trees. He described upcoming programs the commission will support, including Haunt the Block (Oct. 16) with an escape-room activity in the museum, a ghost tour on Oct. 18, and an anticipated City Council work session on a proposed Cultural Arts District that could open new grant opportunities. Wright said he intends to pursue National Register nominations for the old high school and the historic downtown block, and noted a cemetery cleanup volunteer day set for Oct. 18.

The commission agreed to begin outreach tasks and requested staff and commissioners report back with early results and metrics at the next meeting.