Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Historic Preservation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council backs SHPO grant application to study downtown historic district
Summary
Council authorized staff to apply for up to $30,000 from the State Historic Preservation Office to fund outreach and preparation of a draft nomination for a potential Fergus Falls commercial historic district; staff said the final ask will likely be under $30,000.
Council voted to recommend that staff submit a State Historic Preservation Office grant application (not to exceed $30,000) to support public education and development of a draft nomination for a possible Fergus Falls commercial historic district.
Clara Beck said the Heritage Preservation Commission has been working on the idea for several years and that surveys conducted in 2023–24 gave a potential footprint spanning buildings from about 1880 to 1978. The proposed grant would fund outreach to business owners, impartial state expertise and a consultant to develop a draft nomination form that could move to the state and national register process if the downtown business community endorses it.
Council members asked about benefits and drawbacks for property owners, funding opportunities tied to national-register designation, and whether the project commits the city to creating a district. Beck said the grant application is for outreach and study only and that any formal district would require further local buy-in; the council approved the recommendation to apply.
