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Sunday, Mar. 29, 2009

Three midstate communities receive federal Historic Preservation Fund grants

Three local communities are among 10 in Georgia that have received federal Historic Preservation Fund grants to help pay for projects.

Ÿ Vienna was awarded $14,335 to produce construction/rehabilitation drawings for renovations to the historic Dooly County Courthouse.

Ÿ Montezuma received $6,400 to produce a historic sites driving tour brochure.

Ÿ Hawkinsville was awarded $6,000 to produce design guidelines for the city’s historic commercial downtown district.

The federal money represents 60 percent of the cost for the projects, and the communities must add a 40 percent match of local funds or in-kind service to complete them.

The grants are provided by the U.S. Department of Interior’s National Park Service Historic Preservation Fund. In Georgia, they are administered by the Historic Preservation Division of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.

“These grants help local governments and their preservation commissions carry out a variety of preservation projects that help retain and use significant historic properties, thus assuring that these resources are protected for future generations,” said Historic Preservation Division Director Ray Luce.

Janet Joiner, Vienna’s community development director, said the courthouse, built in 1891, is “the heartbeat of downtown, so everyone wants to keep it in good shape.”

She said the courthouse, which has been renovated in recent years, needs a new roof, so most of the grant money will be used to figure out what work is needed and to come up with the architectural drawings.

“It was originally a slate roof, and the county commissioners would like to go back to that. But they are still looking for ways to fund the actual work and materials needed,” Joiner said.

In Montezuma, Downtown Development Authority manager Camille Bielby said the city wants to produce a 24-page, full-color brochure with about 40 points of historical interest for visitors to drive past.

“Some will be residential, some will be public buildings such as the old train depot that is now a museum,” she said. “And some will be landmarks such as the cemetery, where there aren’t buildings now but where important things happened in the past.”

In Hawkinsville, Better Hometown Director Karen Bailey said the grant will be used to complete a design guidelines publication that local business owners can use when contemplating renovation projects of their buildings in the historic downtown area.

“Our downtown has been designated a local historic district, and we have a Historic Preservation Association that reviews applications from anyone wanting to change the facades and signage of their businesses,” Bailey said. “The idea is to keep any renovations in line with the historic appearances of the downtown commercial district.”

She said the association has a rough draft of the design guidelines it adopted after studying guidelines from Madison and other communities with historic downtowns.

“But we want a professional publication with drawings and the written guidelines people can use when considering changes,” Bailey said. “And we’re also looking at having a DVD or something online people can go to for the same information.”

Work on the guidelines should begin in May and is to be finished by August 2010, she said. Other Georgia communities receiving grants ranging from $2,760 to $18,900 were Albany, Augusta-Richmond County, Dahlonega, Decatur, Gainesville, Hinesville and Valdosta.

To contact writer Chuck Thompson, call 923-6199, extension 235.