Approval to apply for additional funding through the Certified Local Governments Subgrant from the Oklahoma State Historic Preservation Office for Historic Preservation in the City of Muskogee and set aside a city match in the amount of $35,463.00, or take other necessary action. (Jody King)
BACKGROUND:
The Certified Local Governments program assists local governments that adopt and enforce historic preservation ordinances to strengthen their preservation programs. We were awarded $17,500 in total funding for grant year 2024 (October 1, 2023–September 30, 2024). For grant year FY25, the focus of preservation was going to be on the downtown, specifically to designate the downtown as an historic and to list it on the National Register of Historic Places. In order to do this, the planning department was planning on using the next three years to conduct a survey of our historic resources and to complete and submit an application for status to the National Parks Service. $53,195 has become available for this grant year. With the 60/40 cost match stipulated in the CLG Guidelines, we would have to match this funding with $35,463 for a total funding amount of $88,658. With this funding, we will be able to start our project in July and finish up with the nomination fully submitted in 12–18 months rather than up to 3 years or more. Getting this status has many perks. Not only does it act as a badge of honor, having a nationally registered historic downtown will help to promote tourism through redevelopment. Listing in the National Register is the first step towards eligibility for National Park Service-administered federal preservation tax credits that have leveraged more than $45 billion in private investment and National Park Service grant programs like Save America's Treasures and Preserve America.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Approve request.
Fiscal Impact
FUNDING SOURCE:
General Fund - General Government - Grant Match 100-1010-411.35-70