Newsletter for Ohio s Certified Local Governments Ohio Historic Preservation Office Ohio Historical Society October/November 2010 New Certified Local Government Manager Greetings From the New Manager of CLG and Preservation Services Greetings. I am Nathan Bevil, the new Certified Local Government and Preservation Services Manager for the Ohio Historic Preservation Office. It is my job to work with all of you the local preservationists to make sure your commissions or review boards are running smoothly, to provide technical assistance, to offer educational opportunities, and generally serve as a liaison between you and the state office. I would like to give you a little background on where I am coming from. I grew up outside of Baltimore, Maryland and attended Mary Washington College in Fredericksburg, Virginia where I received a Bachelor of Arts in Historic Preservation and History. I worked for two years with the City of Bowie Museums at the Belair Mansion before leaving to attend the University of Georgia for a Master of Historic Preservation degree. While at UGA, I served as Support Staff for the National Alliance of Preservation Commissions. It was in this position that I gained an understanding and appreciation for preservation at the local level. After graduating from UGA, I worked for the Historic Macon Foundation as their Preservation Coordinator. While at HMF I provided technical assistance, worked on neighborhood revitalization projects, worked on fundraising, and prepared state and federal tax credit applications. I strongly believe that local-level historic preservation is the most effective means of preserving our built heritage. With that in mind, I hope to meet with all of you to discuss how historic preservation is working in your community, and how I can lend my support to your efforts. I want to devise more training opportunities, and will be seeking your input on what would provide you and your commissions with the most helpful information. Please don t hesitate to contact me with your questions, concerns, and any other information you feel is pertinent to local historic preservation in the State of Ohio. Calendar of Events October 22, 2010: Historic Preservation Tax Credits Workshop, Akron. Contact Heritage Ohio for information and registration at: www.heritageohio.org. October 27-30, 2010: National Trust for Historic Preservation s Annual Conference, Austin Texas. Online registration at: www.preservationnation.org November 3, 2010: Developing Entrepreneurs Workshop, Presented by Heritage Ohio. Nelsonville, Ohio. Contact Heritage Ohio for information and registration. November 6, 2010: Ohio Historic Preservation Office Awards Luncheon. 12 noon, Lincoln Theater, Columbus. Contact OHPO for more information. December 1, 2010: Main Street 101, Jackson. Contact Heritage Ohio for information and registration. Inside this issue: New Certified Local Government Manager Calendar of Events 1 What You Need to Know About Grants The 2011 Certified Local Government Grants We Want to Hear From You Recap of Ohio Modern Symposium 1 2 4 3 3
Page 2 Share Your Stories We want you to share your preservation stories. Have you had any successes recently? Submitted new National Register Nominations? Performed survey work? We want to know what you ve been doing, what your challenges have been, and what you are doing to overcome any preservation obstacles. Submit information to Nathan Bevil at nbevil@ohiohistory.org What You Need to Know About Grants What to Look For & How To Apply In this difficult financial time, one of the most frequent questions coming into the Ohio Historic Preservation Office (OHPO) is, Do you have any grants for saving my old building? The next question is usually, Where can I get that kind of funding? In light of all these requests, I thought I would provide a few basics about grants, as well as answer a few of the questions that have been repeatedly asked. First, the only historic preservation grant program available from the OHPO is the Certified Local Government Grant. This program is a reimbursement grant that requires a 60/40 match and can be used for a variety of preservation-related programs. Detailed information on this program, including the next grant cycle, can be found on page 3 of this newsletter. Second, there are sources of funding available that even we may not know about. We have an extensive list of grant opportunities in our Preservation Toolbox (http://www.ohiohistory.org/resource/histpres/ docs/fund.pdf), but doing web searches and researching various local philanthropic institutions will probably give you some new leads into potential grants and other funding sources. These sources, however, should be thoroughly vetted before working on an application. Due to funding cutbacks, some grants may not be fully funded this current fiscal year when in doubt, call and check with the granting organization. Third, read the grant requirements very carefully. Applying for a grant where you don t meet the minimum requirements is a waste of time, effort, and resources. Check carefully that you understand the ins and outs of the program: is it a matching program; is it a reimbursement grant that requires receipts; do you qualify for the program (e.g., Save America s Treasures requires that your property be significant on the national level, not just state or local)? Answering these basic questions should help you focus on the most appropriate grants. Here are a few considerations for filling out a grant application. Plan ahead don t submit a grant the last day it is due. Provide time if documents need to be clarified, for additions, or simply to avoid delays at the post office. Do your research know what the grant requires, what constraints are on your application (can you submit a change of scope?) and the funds (can you use the funds for general purposes?), what opportunities you might have (does the granting body accept early/draft submissions?), and any other detail that might prevent you from utilizing the grant money. Make sure you are covered legally. Make sure that you meet your legal requirements, both in fulfilling the grant and locally. For example, check with your treasurer or business department to see if you need an ordinance to accept federal funds. Draw up an appropriate budget. Get secure numbers and direct price quotes. Make sure you thoroughly investigate your costs remember that you must provide a detailed budget and scope of work. Look into partnering opportunities with local historic preservation groups. Whether a CLG-nonprofit partnership, or a regional coalition of smaller local governments you can combine their talents and needs to secure a grant program. This idea is especially good for Community Development Block Grants (CDBG), and Preserve America grants. Use the tools available: The OHPO has a Preservation Toolbox that includes details on requests for proposals (RFPs), contracts, and other grant writing tools at: www.ohpo.org, under Preservation Toolbox.
Page 3 We want to hear from you. We are open to suggestions on how the CLG program and, local preservation services in general, could better serve our CLG s. As I take on the new Certified Local Government and Preservation Services Manager position, I want to learn what challenges remain to historic preservation in Ohio s local government. It is my job to listen to you and to help you make preservation as strong as possible at the local level. It is only with your involvement that we can effectively preserve Ohio s rich cultural heritage. We Want to Hear From You Help Us With the CLG Program Some specific questions I have for you: 1. How can the review process be streamlined or improved in another way? 2. What sort of training activities would help your community and your commission most? 3. Would you be willing and/or able to attend regular regional or statewide meetings? 4. What are the biggest challenges to preservation in your community, and how can the OHPO help (e.g., problems with design review, lack of knowledge about proper rehab/restoration practices)? 5. What is your relationship with other Village/City/ Township departments? The 2011 Certified Local Government Grants Preserve: What? Where? How? Do you know what historic buildings and sites you have in your community? Do you know which old buildings and sites are significant and worthy of preservation? Do owners of designated historic places know how to protect them? Do owners of designated historic buildings know the standards for retaining historic character when making repairs or alterations to them? Do owners of historic places need assistance with determining a new use for them? Are there National Register-listed properties in your community that could benefit from funding for rehabilitation or restoration work? What does the general public in your community know about the historic places that make your community unique? Many communities have old buildings, unique streetscapes, archaeological resources, and National Register listed properties whose history is virtually unknown to most in the community, whose attributes could be used to enhance community pride and awareness, and that have significant physical needs for rehabilitation. Not all communities are committed to protecting and preserving their unique local resources, but Certified Local Government (CLG) communities are! 51 communities in Ohio are currently participating in the CLG program. A major benefit to the program is eligibility to compete for funds during the annual grant program and a new funding round is coming up soon. Talk with your commission members, city council, planning department and mayor to see how CLG grants can enhance and expand your local historic preservation program. Be creative! The formal grant announcement for federal fiscal year 2011 will be made December 1; applications are due at the Ohio Historic Preservation Office on March 1, 2011 for projects that begin May 1, 2011. The CLG reimbursement grant requires a 40% match which can be composed of cash, in-kind or volunteer time, donated materials, and/or CDBG funds. CLG grants can be used for a broad range of preservation activities planning, survey, preparing National Register or local nominations, public education, pre-development or development projects. Eligible projects that address the questions posed above are: prepare or update a historic preservation plan, conduct a history/architecture or archaeological survey, prepare design guidelines or update your local ordinance, conduct a feasibility study on an under-utilized building, carry out restoration or rehabilitation work on a National Register listed property, and public education programs. Address any questions related to the CLG grants schedule, eligibility, application preparation, or administration to the grants manager at the Ohio Historic Preservation Office, Judy Krasniewski, by calling 614-298-2000 or via e-mail at jkrasniewski@ohiohistory.org. Be watching for additional email notifications or postings at http://www.ohiohistory.org/resource/ histpres/toolbox/clg/ for information about the 2011 CLG funding round.
Page 4 Recap of Ohio Modern Symposium A Few Thoughts and Considerations About the Modern Movement Thursday, September 30, 2010 marked the beginning (sort of) for the Modern Period at the Ohio Historical Society. In a symposium to present the findings of the Ohio Historic Preservation Office s Ohio Modern Initiative, attendees were introduced to the next frontier in the field: the recent past. Divided into three major sections, and followed by a tour of the 1970 Ohio Historical Center, the symposium presented the new Statewide Historic Context for the modern period, presented a sample survey from Dayton, and had a panel discussion of some of the challenges to preserving modern architecture. The firm of Gray & Pape, Inc., took on the daunting task of developing the Statewide Historic Context for the modern/recent past period (roughly, 1940-1970). The context provides the historical framework on which the interpretation of historic buildings is based. For example, the post-world War II boom in automobiles spurred the development of new housing types, new suburban developments, and new roadside architecture. The overall purpose of this document is to provide both the state and local governments with a set of ideas that provide more depth to the narrative of a specific historic building or district. The second portion of the symposium was a review of the modern architecture survey of Dayton, performed by Steven Avdakov, Deborah Griffin, Kathy Mast Kane, and Nathalie Wright. The purpose of the survey was to identify the building and house types of the modern period in Dayton. The importance of this survey was not just the identification of the modern architecture of Dayton, but to establish the building types (houses, garages, gas stations, offices, etc.) that characterize buildings from the period, and to identify the materials and design elements that mark these buildings as 1940-1970 construction. The results of the survey included a call for more extensive research into the needs of mid-century building materials, as well as how to address the various threats to existing buildings. The final portion of the symposium was a panel discussion with Elwin C. Robinson, Ted Sande, and Jeffrey Tilman. The three panelists were given several questions and asked to discuss how each situation would affect the significance and eligibility of modern buildings. Their thought-provoking discussion raised a number of possibilities, concerns, and new ideas about how historic preservation professionals will deal with the myriad resources becoming eligible for nomination to the National Register. Some ideas considered include how buildings that require frequent changes in their materials (like the replacement of glass in a glass and steel building) affects the integrity of the building; how to deal with building materials that were not designed to last; and what to do with historic buildings that were purpose-built and can t easily be rehabilitated to serve a new use. Commissions should be prepared for the growing interest in mid-century modern architecture. The Ohio Historic Preservation Office encourages communities to survey their resources, both for their use in developing their preservation plans and guidelines, and for our office to have an accurate estimate of modern buildings in the state. Contact our office for more information on performing local survey work and how the commission can use that information. A special thanks to the sponsors of the Ohio Modern Initiative: The Preserve America Program, the Ohio Department of Transportation, the Ohio Department of Development, the Ohio Humanities Council, the City of Dayton, the University of Dayton, and the Ohio Historic Preservation Office through the Historic Preservation Fund, provided by the National Park Service. Welcome to the 60s! Here are a few things to consider when looking into a Mid-Century Modern Survey Project: Do you have a subdivision or suburb from the 1940s-60s, or a few isolated commercial developments? Do a survey of your resources to inventory what you have. You may want to look at buildings up to 1975, so you have the material ready when they become 50 years old in 2025. What materials are most common in your modern buildings? This will help you develop design guidelines that are compatible with your community s building stock. Don t be daunted by the number of buildings the post-war period was a building boom, and there are a lot of structures out there. Do what you can, and even limit yourself to the landmarks. But casting your net wider can help you find some true gems.
Ohio s Certified Local Governments Akron Alliance Aurora Barberton Berea Brookfield Township Burton Canal Fulton Canal Winchester Canfield Cincinnati Cleveland Columbus Dayton Delaware Dublin Elyria Euclid Galion Gallipolis Glendale Green Hudson Lancaster Lorain Madison Mansfield Mariemont Marysville Massillon Medina Millersburg Montgomery Mt. Pleasant New Richmond North Olmstead Oberlin Olmstead Falls Oxford Parma Perrysburg Portsmouth Salem Shaker Heights Springboro Steubenville Tipp City Toledo Waynesville Willoughby Zanesville Ohio Historic Preservation Office 1982 Velma Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43211-1030 ph: 614.298.2000 fx: 614.298.2037 www.ohiohistory.org Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-5 p.m. (Individual staff hours may vary) To better serve you we recommend that you call ahead for an appointment Publication of this newsletter has been made possible in part by a grant from the U.S. Department of the Interior s National Park Service, administered by the Ohio Historic Preservation Office of the Ohio Historical Society. U.S. Department of the Interior regulations prohibit unlawful discrimination in departmental federally assisted programs on the basis of race, color, national origin, age or disability. Any person who believes he or she has been discriminated against in any program, activity, or facility operated by a recipient of federal assistance should write: Director, Equal Opportunity, U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, P.O. Box 37127, Washington, D.C. 20013-7127.