Members / Meetings

Interested in being on the Historic Commission's "Interested Parties" (IP) list? Individuals on the list will receive the Commission's annual newsletter, be notified of Commission meetings, and be given updates regarding Historic Commission projects. To be added, please submit your name and e-mail address here.

Mission and Goals

The Springfield Historic Commission’s charge states that the Historic Commission shall review and make recommendations to the Planning Commission, Hearings Officer and/or City Council concerning quasi-judicial decisions and legislative recommendations for properties within, or potentially within, the Historic Overlay District as described in Section 3.3-900 of the Springfield Development Code; fosters among the citizens of Springfield an appreciation for the historical heritage present in the community; institutes and supports programs that will help make the citizens of the City and its visitors aware of its origin, development, and historic significance; and enlists citizen participation and support in continuing programs designed to recognize and memorialize the history of the City.
 
Towards this end, the Springfield Historic Commission has established the following five goals to guide its work:

• Educate the community about and develop public support for historic preservation.
• Understand Springfield’s historic resources by developing historic context statements and conducting historic research, historic resource surveys, and historic resource inventories.
• Protect historic resources through City Landmark Inventory and National Register listings.
• Encourage property owners to restore and maintain the City’s historic resources by developing incentive programs for property owners interested in preserving historic resources.
• Maintain and strengthen the City’s historic preservation program in concert with the City’s planning and regulatory efforts.

Projects
The Commission meets annually with the City Council to review its goals, accomplishments over the past year, and proposed projects for the coming year.  The Historic Commission then develops its work plan and applies for grant funding from the State Historic Preservation Office to support the completion of these projects through the Certified Local Government (CLG) program.  The CLG program is a federal program administered by the State Historic Preservation Office and is designed to promote historic preservation at the local level.  While the Commission may engage in additional projects over the course of the year, the Commission will be using CLG funds to work on the following projects during the period beginning April 1, 2012 and ending August 31, 2013:

• Conduct a Reconnaissance Level Survey of the Willamette Heights neighborhood
• Conduct an Intensive level Survey of two Downtown commercial buildings
• Celebrate national Preservation Month activities
• Distribute annual newsletter to historic property owners and residents
• Manage design review, historic preservation program, and commission meetings
• Coordinate Historic Commission display table at Summer Art Walks
• Replace/paint Washburn Historic District entrance signs
• Publish Historic Fence Guidelines brochure
• Co-host preservation repair contractor training
• Fund-training opportunities for commissioners and staff