City of Lincoln Becomes Certified Local Government

[October 07, 2014]  LINCOLN - The City of Lincoln was informed by the National Park Service and the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency last week that it has been approved as a “Certified Local Government” under the National Historic Preservation Act. Community certification opens the door for Lincoln to receive grant funding and technical assistance for a wide variety of preservation efforts.

The City of Lincoln had long aspired to gain certification under this program, but lacked both an historic preservation ordinance and a local preservation commission. That was remedied in 2013 when the City Council passed Lincoln’s first historic preservation ordinance that also established The City’s first Historic Preservation Commission.

To become a Certified Local Government, communities must:

• Establish a qualified historic preservation commission;
   
• Enforce appropriate State or local legislation for the designation and protection of historic properties (typically, in the form of a local ordinance);
   
• Maintain a system for the survey and inventory of local historic resources: and
   
• Facilitate public participation in local preservation, including participation in the National Register of Historic Places listing process.

“We are pleased to have received this certification,” said Lincoln Mayor Keith Snyder. “We look forward to the opportunities it will provide as well as further efforts by our Historic Preservation Commission to save what is important from our past for those to enjoy in the future.”

Each year states receive annual appropriations from the Federal Preservation Fund. The states are then required to award at least 10% of those appropriations to certified local governments as sub-grants. In addition, as a certified local government, Lincoln will have direct access to state historic preservation office staff for assistance with its Historic Preservation Commission, building assessments, surveys and nominations, and general preservation assistance.

Letter of award from the United States Department of Interior, National Park Service (Pdf)

[Mayor Keith Snyder, City of Lincoln]