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Historic Preservation Commission seeks youth engagement, eyes possible 2027 designations funding
Summary
Commissioners discussed inviting members of the city's Youth Commission to quarterly meetings and site tours as part of a mentoring program, reviewed education-program progress and a downtown walking tour, and noted potential funding for property-designation subgrants in 2027; the Commission voted to receive the updates and place them on file.
The De Pere Historic Preservation Commission on June 22 discussed steps to involve high-school members of the city’s Youth Commission in preservation work, and reviewed the status of several education programs and property-designation projects ahead of possible 2027 grant funding.
Commission member Gene recommended inviting Youth Commission members to sit in on at least one Commission meeting per quarter and to tour the Lock and Dam Historic District so youth can "have an inside sense of what's going on in that part of the community." Peter said he was concerned the Youth Commission's directive may not be specifically focused on historic preservation and suggested coordinating through the city manager; commissioners said Deputy City Clerk Jesse is leading the youth program and the Commission would follow up to confirm the Youth Commission’s participation and scope.
Peter reviewed the Commission’s remaining 2026 projects and said a group of residential and commercial property designations had been placed on hold because of lack of funding. He reported there had been a "whisper" that funds might become available for designations in 2027 and urged the group to identify which of the six previously selected properties already have owner contacts so submittals could be prepared for a possible 2027 grant.
On education programming, commissioners said Education Program 1 is finalized pending a write-up, while Education Program 2 — a downtown historic walking tour that is already posted on De Pere’s website — is planned to launch in July. Commissioners discussed possibly expanding the walking tour in a future phase to include historic neighborhoods and the Lock and Dam district.
Chair moved, and Jean Hackbarth seconded, a motion to receive and place the project updates on file; the Commission approved the motion by voice vote.
Next steps: staff will follow up with the city manager and Deputy City Clerk Jesse on Youth Commission participation, commissioners will pass photos and a web link for the Lock and Dam materials to the clerk for posting, and the Commission will identify property-owner contacts to prepare potential 2027 subgrant submissions.
