From Sioux City’s historic downtown to the old Muscatine County Jail, nine Iowa communities have received a total of $108,284 in new grants for historic preservation projects.
The State Historic Preservation Office, a bureau of the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs, awarded the grants through its Certified Local Government program for historic preservation, which encourages governmental partnerships, provides training and technical assistance, and supports preservation of historic resources at the local level.
“The preservation and reuse of our state’s historic assets help Iowans create an authentic sense of place, which energizes communities, stimulates economic growth and boosts quality of life,” Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs Director Chris Kramer said. “Placemaking is an important factor that businesses, families and young professionals consider when they’re deciding where to set up shop or settle down to live and work.”
Iowa's Certified Local Government program is one of the largest of its kind in the nation and is administered by the State Historic Preservation Office in conjunction with the National Park Service. The program was established by a 1980 amendment to the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966.
Grants were awarded today to the following communities:
Benton County Historic Preservation Commission
NAPC CAMP Workshop
$6,000
The commission will host a National Alliance of Preservation Commissions (NAPC) Commission Assistance and Mentoring Program (CAMP) workshop in the fall of 2021 and make the training available to Iowa’s other Certified Local Governments.
Cedar Rapids Historic Preservation Commission
Bever Woods National Register Nomination
$10,800
The commission recently completed an intensive survey of the late 19th and early 20th century residential neighborhood called Bever Woods and plans to nominate the area to the National Register of Historic Places.
Des Moines Historic Preservation Commission
Citywide Historic Preservation Plan
$25,000
The city of Des Moines’ existing preservation plan is 25 years old and needs to be updated so it can be incorporated into the city’s comprehensive plan. The revised plan will offer strategies for local districts, public nuisances, city-owned properties, moving historic properties, diversity in preservation and other emerging historic preservation issues.
Fort Dodge Historic Preservation Commission
Historic Building Needs Assessment and Rehabilitation Plan for the Historic Coppin AME Chapel
$12,084
Coppin Chapel was built in 1894 as St. Olaf Norwegian Lutheran Church and has been used by the African Methodist Episcopal Church since 1969. The commission will hire a preservation architect to assess the building’s condition and develop a plan for its rehabilitation.
Mason City Historic Preservation Commission
Preserve Iowa Summit 2022
$12,000
Mason City will host the 2022 Preserve Iowa Summit to showcase the city’s history, as well as its many examples of Prairie School architecture and preservation accomplishments.
Muscatine County Historic Preservation Commission
Pre-Development Project for the Old Muscatine County Jail
$9,600
The commission will plan and develop construction documents for the entrance and rehabilitation of the historic Muscatine County Jail.
Sioux City Historic Preservation Commission
Intensive Survey for Downtown Sioux City
$15,000
The commission will undertake an intensive survey for the city’s downtown area to evaluate its potential to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
State Center Historic Preservation Commission
Planning for Preservation Project
$7,000
As a new Certified Local Government, State Center and its historic preservation commission will hire a consultant to provide training in survey techniques and other preservation tools. The consultant will also identify and develop historic contexts for the town’s development and help the commission identify potential projects for preservation.
Warren County Historic Preservation Commission
Planning for Preservation Project
$10,800
Warren County is a new Certified Local Government, and its commission will hire a consultant to provide training in survey techniques and other preservation tools. The consultant will also identify and develop historic contexts for the county’s development and help the commission identify potential projects for preservation.
The State Historic Preservation Office is overseen by the State Historical Society of Iowa, a division of the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs. More information is available at iowaculture.gov.
The Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs and its three divisions – the Iowa Arts Council, Produce Iowa - State Office of Media Production and the State Historical Society of Iowa – empower Iowa to build and sustain culturally vibrant communities by connecting Iowans to the people, places and points of pride that define our state. The department’s work enables Iowa to be recognized as a state that fosters creativity and serves as a catalyst for innovation where the stories of Iowa are preserved and communicated to connect past, present and future generations.