March 29, 2024

Osceola tries for Commercial Historic District distinction

The City of Osceola, along with Osceola Chamber Main Street, is attempting to have downtown declared a Commercial Historic District. on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Register keeps track of property with historical significance. Whether it’s an architectural style or the site of events responsible for major change, protecting these resources provides communities with untold resources. They’re points of interest, but also of pride and offer citizens insight into how our societies evolved. That said, there are a lot of historically significant buildings across the country slowly turning to dust.

Every building, every district, every piece of property that’s made its mark on civilization won’t be saved. Many have been poorly renovated, erasing the best lessons they had to share, or left to rot. Others have literally been demolitioned to protect the public or make way for new types of progress. Securing a place on the Historic Register is a long and detailed process.

According to Osceola Historic Preservation Committee member Ann Diehl, once an applications is made, the Committee and the Mayor have to study the property to ensure it meets all qualifications. They also have to host a public meeting to ensure no stone has been left unturned.

The study for the commercial district has been completed. The Committee meeting has been set for 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 4, in the Clarke County Development Corporation meeting room. The public is invited to attend.

If the Committee members vote to pass the idea along to the State Nominations Review Commission, the proposal will be among seven or eight properties the Commission assesses during their final round of consideration for 2017. The meeting is open to the public and held Friday, Oct. 13. For information on when and where to attend, individuals may check with the State Historic Preservation office at (515) 281-8742.

It’s impossible to say what will happen, said Diehl, but she said, “I have a good feeling about it.”

The benefits of a historic district

“Historical tourism is at an all-time high,” said Derek Lumsden executive director of Osceola Chamber Main Street. “Being on the Jefferson Byway gives us some travel already, but being listed on the National Register could increase that each year, especially if we continue to move forward with projects in the downtown.”

Being on the Register could help with the financial aspects of that too.

“It opens up a few sources of funding the building owners wouldn’t have otherwise,” said Diehl, “and if a building or an area like this is on the Register of Historic Places, they have access also to tax credits.”

If no renovations are wanted and no federal funds are taken advantage of, property owners don’t have to worry about jumping through hoops.

“There are only restrictions on renovations if the building owner wants any grant or tax credit money,” said Lumsden. “The federal government does not control the property and cannot tell private owners what to do.”