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Historic Preservation Commission advances CLG grant planning to stabilize and interpret Chena town-site building
Summary
Commissioners agreed Feb. 24 to pursue a Certified Local Government predevelopment grant to plan stabilization and an interpretive exhibit for a building likely from the Chena town site, discussed project phasing, matching requirements and secure storage while conservation work proceeds.
The Special Historic Preservation Commission discussed pursuing a Certified Local Government (CLG) grant to fund predevelopment work to stabilize and prepare an interpretive exhibit for a small historic building believed to have originated at the Chena town site.
Staff member Katie summarized the timeline: the DNR Office of History & Archaeology announced the CLG grant round Feb. 2, applications are due March 20, and OHA will host a March 5 virtual Q&A. Katie said borough staff will meet with grant staff this week and that staff can support commissioners with application details.
Commissioners described the proposed project as a two-phase approach: predevelopment (stabilization planning and schematic exhibit design) and a later development phase that could fund conservation work and installation. Commissioner Josh, who worked on the draft application language, said the intent is to present the building as a view-only interpretive object in a State Park facility and to develop interpretive panels at the town site. "The idea that is essentially what they kinda wanted to see ... is to have it as an interpretive object," Josh said.
Commissioners shared provenance details: Martin and others described multiple relocations of the building from the Chena town site into Fairbanks and the discovery of period newspapers beneath floorboards dating to the early 1920s, which support its historic character. One commissioner noted the building appears to be one of the only candidate Chena-origin structures currently in public hands, increasing its value as a public interpretive piece.
Practical questions discussed included whether a contractor must be named at application time (staff said no) and the grant match. Commissioners mentioned a 40% match rate based on past experience; staff and grant coordinators will confirm exact matching requirements. The commission discussed options for securing the building in a locked facility while stabilization is planned to reduce public-safety risks and protect the resource.
No formal commission vote was required that evening to submit a CLG application; commissioners agreed to continue work, meet with the borough grant coordinator, and reconvene immediately after the regular March 3 meeting to finalize application details.
Next steps: staff will meet with the OHA grant coordinator and return to the commission on March 3 with additional details and any required language or budget items for the application.
