Historic Landmarks Commission

MORGANTOWN HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMISSION October 17, 2018 The meeting was called to order at 7:05 pm in the Public Safety Building by Jessica Eichlin. Those present were Bill Kawecki, Jessica Eichlin, Kathy Hanko, The Thrasher Group representative, John Adamik and Earnest Blevins, SHPO. The minutes from the September meeting were approved. NEW BUSINESS: John Adamik, Jr from WVSHPO shared a questionnaire that asked for input regarding the current 5-year plan. It is available online. Information from the questionnaires will be used to formulate a new 5-year plan for 2019-2023 that is required by the National Park Service. There were questions for discussion for the Statewide Historic Preservation Plan Public Meeting presented and the following input given. 1) Historic preservation efforts that we are proud of and opportunities for the future. Tax credit through the State (use them or lose them), Trainings, cemetery workshop, working with the Planning Commission, Theater renovations, and courthouse renovations. 2) What could be done better and what threats are there to local resources? Community engagement. We need to work harder to save or preserve entities and communicate better with the public and other interested partners. 3) What should be the goals for the next 5 years? Continue to work on goals already identified as well as more communication and community engagement. Use social media to connect with others. SHPO should continue to provide grants and being a resource for the local groups. Ashley Lyons from The Thrasher Group shared the preliminary plans for the Hazel Ruby McQuain Park Improvements. She was particularly interested in our thoughts on the historic Depot building renovation. She will send a request for comments from the Historic Landmarks Commission. That will give us time to share the information with the members that are absent and give a response to their request in a timely fashion. OLD BUSINESS: A letter of comment was sent to the City with our comments in the 461 High Street Dairy Queen property. The CLG Training WV Preservation Alliance Conference was held in Parkersburg September 20-22, 2018. Jessica attended. She learned about Historic Theater projects and that SHPO will do free condition assessments on questionable property. Also, she asked if we need an ordinance requiring the salvage and/or documentation of historic property before demolition. Bill will check on that. Jessica is posting and monitoring the Commission’s Facebook page. It has past 100 likes. She has not received any pictures of the Cemetery Workshop to post. Bill has some to send her and will check with Shannon to see if others are available. SHPO has provided some content to share. The 2019 Roundtable will focus on genealogy and will take the place of our March meeting. We will have some presenters from the WVU History Department under the direction of Jen Thorton, WVU’s new instructor. Plans are on-going. The Cemetery Workshop was inspired others through the Mon Co Historical Society to clean and do maintenance at the Oak Grove Cemetery. The Chancery Hill Survey is in process. Indian Park historic plaque is in the works. Kathy will check with the State to see where it is in process. There is no further information on the South High Street brick repair. The Sabraton Survey is in progress. The survey work is complete. The meeting was adjourned. Submitted by, Kathy Hanko