TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Beth Beatty, City Manager
SUBJECT:
title
A Resolution Accepting and Placing on File the Joliet Historic Preservation Commission Annual Report for 2023
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BACKGROUND:
As part of the City of Joliet’s responsibilities as a Certified Local Government (CLG), an annual report of the Joliet Historic Preservation Commission’s (JHPC) functions and activities has been prepared. The City of Joliet received Certified Local Government (CLG) status in 1995. The CLG Program was established by the National Historic Preservation Act Amendment of 1980 to integrate local preservation programs into the existing federal/state preservation partnership. CLG’S are required to prepare and file their annual report with the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO). City ordinance also requires the City Council to accept and place on file said report.
The Historic Preservation Commission and City staff were actively involved in important preservation initiatives in 2023, many of which were recently completed. These new resources are now available on the “Historic Preservation” webpage on the City’s website: www.joliet.gov/historicpreservation <http://www.joliet.gov/historicpreservation>.
Some 2023 highlights include:
• Review of Certificates of Appropriateness for:
o Rear dormer at 17 S. Center Street (Patrick Haley Mansion)
o Fiber cement board siding at 614 Buell Avenue
o Wood composite replacement windows at 714 Western Avenue
o New garage at 1010 Glenwood Avenue
o In addition, staff conducted 15 administrative reviews
• Review of three local historic property designation nominations:
o 410 Whitney Avenue as a Contributing Property in the Classic Bungalow Local Thematic Historic District
o 212 Richards Street as a Local Historic Landmark
o 14 West Jefferson Street (former Will County Courthouse) as a Local Historic Landmark
• Management and completion of the:
o Downtown Joliet Historic Resource Survey and National Register Historic District (Listed on 12/26/2023)
o Illinois State Penitentiary-Joliet National Register Historic District nomination project (Listed on 9/25/2023)
• Work on Phase Two of the Joliet Railroad Museum. The project received grant funding through the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s Route 66 Round Two Grant Program. The Museum will open to the public on May 10, 2024
• Application for FY2023 Certified Local Government Grant Program funding for a African American Historic and Cultural Resources Survey. Notice of award received in January 2024
• Implementation of the “Places Matter” media campaign for Historic Preservation Month in May during which places that matter to our City were recognized
• Sponsorship of the 2023 Historic Preservation Award program for which one individual and one project received awards
The attached annual report is in the format required by the State of Illinois Historic Preservation Office.
RECOMMENDATION OF THE HISTORIC PRESRVATION COMMISSION:
The Joliet Historic Preservation Commission reviewed and approved the 2023 Annual Report at a special meeting held on April 29, 2024. Ms. Stovall moved to recommend approval of the 2023 Annual Report of the Joliet Historic Preservation Commission with changes recommended by the Commission. Ms. Lowry seconded the motion, which passed with 8 aye votes. Voting aye were: Mr. Adamowski, Ms. Johnson, Ms. Lowry, Ms. Merwin, Ms. Stovall, and Mr. Wright.
RECOMMENDATION:
recommendation
The Administration recommends that the Mayor and City Council approve a Resolution accepting and placing on file the Joliet Historic Preservation Commission (JHPC) Annual Report for 2023.
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