The Fort Madison Historic Preservation Commission (FMHPC) will hold a public information meeting to introduce a potential new historic district being proposed for the National Register of Historic Places.
The meeting will be held on Monday, October 7, 2013, from 7:00–8:30 p.m. at St. Luke ‘s Episcopal Church, 605 Avenue E. Project co-directors Lyle and Gwen Brown will present information about the project and answer questions.
The proposed new “Park-to-Park Historic District” encompasses much of the Original Town site in the residential neighborhood just north of the existing Downtown Commercial Historic District. The commercial district was listed in the National Register in 2006.
The “Park-to-Park Historic District” is anchored by Old Settlers Park and Central Park, and roughly bounded on the on the east by 4th Street , on the south by Avenue F, on the west by 11/12th Streets, and on the north by Avenue E.
During the past few years, the City of Fort Madison and its Historic Preservation Commission conducted a survey of historic resources throughout the city, in an attempt to identify potential historic districts for listing on the National Register of Historic Places.
The National Register of Historic Places recognizes historic significance, but it does not impose any restrictions on property owners. This is often a point of confusion, according to preservation consultant Steph McDougal of McDoux Preservation LLC. McDougal, who is based in Houston, Texas, was hired by the City to prepare the National Register nomination.
“Listing on the National Register provides valuable benefits to property owners within an historic district,” McDougal says, “including potential eligibility for state and federal tax credits of up to 45% of rehab project costs.”
Property owners in the potential historic district have received letters about this project. The proposed historic district nomination is currently being developed in cooperation with the State Historical Society of Iowa.
For more information, contact project co-directors Lyle or Gwen Brown, a FMHPC member, at 319-372-1732.