Charles City Historical Preservation Commission talks about new website

By Bob Steenson, bsteenson@charlescitypress.com

The Charles City Historic Preservation Commission is getting nearer to the time it will unveil its new website to the public, offering information about existing historical properties as well as resources for those who might have their own pieces of history they want to save.

The website has been under development by commission member Christopher Anthony with help from commission secretary Mark Wicks, the Charles City development director, and input from the other board members.

The board looked at the latest iteration of the website at its meeting Tuesday evening, ultimately deciding it’s time to transition from the free WIX website creator that Anthony had been using to a paid site with more storage space, the availability of analytical information and more control over the website name.

The site will offer links to the 20 area properties on the National Registry of Historic Places, information on specific preservation projects such as the effort to move and renovate the Milwaukee Road railroad depot and information about historical properties that are endangered.

It will also feature information about commission members, agendas and minutes from commission meetings, and links to other resources.

Also at the meeting, the board said goodbye to member Jennifer Thiele, who was the director of the Floyd County Historical Museum. Thiele is resigning her seat on the board as well as her position at the museum to accept another job.

“I got scouted by the National Czech & Slovak Museum in Cedar Rapids,” she said. “I will be the director of community development down there and I’ve been busy packing and making arrangements at the museum.”

Thiele said she will be leaving for the new position this weekend.

“It’s a great loss to us,” Wicks said. “It’s a testament to you that nobody was happy that you are leaving. You made a big difference in the time you were here.”

Another board member, Jennifer Lessin, decided to not be reappointed after her term ended in January, Wicks said, so the board will be looking for two new members.

Members are appointed by the mayor, and Mayor Dean Andrews appointed Jason Webster to Lessin’s seat at the City Council meeting Wednesday evening and also reappointed Anthony to another four-year term.

In other action Tuesday, the board:

• Heard from Wicks that he had presented the commission’s annual report to the City Council at the council workshop meeting last week, and was ready to submit the annual report to the State Historic Preservation Office.

“We have to turn this in every year, detailing our activities the past year, information about commission members and what our work plan is moving forward,” Wicks said.

At the council meeting last week, Wicks had explained that Charles City is a certified local government because it is one of 90 cities and counties in the state that has a historic preservation program certified by the National Park Service.

“The Certified Local Government Program is a partnership between your local government, the State Historic Preservation Office and the National Park Service to foster historic preservation and help preserve your community’s historic character,” Wicks said, referring to a handout he had given the council.

“Through this program, your local government can use historic preservation as a tool to help shape your community’s future,” Wicks said, by utilizing grant funding, training and technical assistance, and membership in a network of other certified communities to harness economic, environmental and social benefits.

“Your historic preservation commission is an appointed body of citizens that serves as an arm of your local government. The commission exists to advise you, the elected official, on historic preservation in your community,” Wicks told the City Council.

“It is important that elected officials consult with the commission on historic preservation issues and projects,” Wicks said. “This means bringing the commission to the table early in the planning process for projects that have the potential to impact a historic resource.”

• Heard from Wicks that, related to the commission’s role advising the City Council, he had been approached by City Engineer John Fallis that Charles City may need to replace the more than 100-year-old Main Street Bridge.

“It is not a done deal yet,” Wicks said. “But he wanted to loop us in on it from the get-go and when it gets closer to when they have some proposed plan he will come and talk to this commission.”

The Main Street Bridge is on the National Registry of Historic places, Wicks said. “Obviously, if they replace it, it would not be.”

Depending on its condition, the city maybe able to repair the bridge which has gone through three major floods in its history, he said. But if it does need to be replaced, the city wants input from the Historical Preservation Committee as far as architectural structure and how the new bridge should look.

Part of the commission’s mission is to advise the city on matters involving historical properties and National Register listings, he said.

“This is just a discussion that’s begun,” he said.