Historic landmark commission outlines owner-focused outreach and ambassador program

The Mansfield Historic Landmark Commission on Jan. 20 reviewed a new outreach package designed to make landmark designation easier for property owners and to recruit designated owners as volunteer ambassadors.

Art Wright, the city's historic preservation officer, described a multi-phase program that begins with a "Landmarking 101" packet explaining what designation is — and what it is not — stressing that "it is not a transfer of ownership to the city" and that designation remains voluntary. Wright said the packet walks owners through the HLC, planning steps and council review and answers common questions that often discourage applicants.

Wright said the next phase would use personalized folders mailed to owners of candidate properties. "We would send them a history of their property and building," he said, noting the packet would include photographs, news clippings, a short application guide and a "what happens next" card so owners do not feel pressured to decide immediately. The commission discussed phasing the mailings (for example, about 10 properties per quarter) rather than mailing the full list at once.

The outreach also includes a heritage-ambassador program: Wright proposed recruiting existing designated property owners to share their restoration stories and experiences with prospective applicants. He said ambassadors would be trained not to provide technical or legal advice and would not speak for the city or promise city funds. "They can't speak on behalf of the city because they are not city officials or city employees," Wright said.

Commissioners asked operational questions about the mailing list and whether packets should go to tenants or owners. Wright said mailings should be addressed to owners on tax records because only owners can decide to landmark, but landlords and tenants should be made aware of responsibilities if tenants make exterior changes. Commissioners expressed support for the plan and Wright said the next rollout steps, including a possible July start for an initial three-month outreach window, would be presented at the next meeting.

The program includes language-access measures: Wright noted many downtown property owners are Hispanic and said a one-page Spanish translation has been prepared and staff-translated by Spanish-speaking employees; he recommended expanding translations to key materials.

The commission did not take formal action beyond expressing support for the phased outreach plan; Wright said staff will proceed with materials, training and coordination with the communications department.