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Commission reports three National Register nominations approved, explains grant impacts
Summary
Staff told the commission that three nominations submitted to the state were accepted by the Keeper of the National Register: the Old State Bank, the Princess Theater (standalone), and a larger commercial district resurvey; staff detailed implications for grant eligibility and federal reviews.
Commission staff reported that three National Register nominations submitted last year advanced through state review and were accepted by the Keeper of the National Register.
The Old State Bank nomination was substantially expanded from a shorter 1970s filing and lengthened the period of significance to 1834–1981, with additional documentation highlighting women’s history and conservation. "We had like original contracts... the nomination is now like 30 or 40 pages of history," the staff speaker said.
The Princess Theater was accepted as a standalone nomination with a period of significance the meeting recorded as 1941–1978; an adjacent annex was determined non‑contributing after a boundary reduction, meaning federal preservation grant funds tied to the theater could not be used for that annex if the theater receives a federal preservation grant.
A resurvey of a commercial district expanded the number of contributing resources: staff reported the original nomination listed 36 contributing buildings and 11 non‑contributing, while the updated submission lists 64 contributing structures and 22 non‑contributing buildings (figures stated during the meeting). Staff noted that listing can provide leverage during federally permitted projects — for example, it flags proposals such as cell‑tower siting for additional review under federal rules.
Why it matters: gaining National Register status can improve access to federal preservation funds and requires federal agencies to consider impacts on listed resources in project planning, though it does not automatically constrain private owners. The commission said the listings will help prioritize grant funding and state technical assistance.
Next steps: staff will continue grant and project coordination with property stewards and report further when grant resources or project proposals arise.
