The Historic District Commission had no applications to consider at the August 3 meeting, giving the commissioners more time to discuss new design guidelines and Preserve Arkansas’s Dollars and Sense program.
The commission had contracted with The Lakota Group to revise its guidelines, and the final version evoked favorable comments from the table. Only a few printed copies of the report are currently available, but City Historic Preservation Officer Kylee Hevrdejs said more copies will be coming. The $32 price tag per copy will limit the number of printed copies on hand, but the entire document is online at espreservation.org. Residents in the historic district will soon receive a postcard, which will carry a QR code to take them directly to the online version.
Hevrdejs suggested giving each commissioner a printed copy of the guidelines, but some of them said they would return the book after studying it. Hevrdejs also suggested giving hard copies to the library and the ES Historical Museum.
All approved adopting the new guidelines, but the conversation turned to enforcement. Chair Steve Holifield said the HDC can make decisions but has no power to follow up with property owners. “Once it leaves here, we have nothing,” he said. “The city needs to change the ordinance so it has teeth.” Commissioner Dee Bright suggested asking those running for city council about their positions on code enforcement.
A all-day seminar at The Aud is planned for Friday, Aug. 26, to explain Preserve Arkansas’s Dollars and Sense program. This program can offer tax credits for some preservation efforts. The seminar starts at 9 a.m., with registration opening at 8:30 a.m. Tickets are $25, with lunch included. Hevrdejs said the day will begin with coffee and doughnuts, before two presenters explain how the program can work.
The agenda will include a welcome from Mayor Butch Berry. Attendees will also hear some success stories from the northwest Arkansas region. At the end of the day, the city will provide trolleys to take everyone on a tour of selected local properties, which had not been determined at press time.
Hevrdejs explained the partnership effort making this event possible. In addition to the city providing trolleys, the City Advertising and Promotion Commission is providing the use of The Aud without charge.
Commissioners voted to take a $500 Silver Sponsorship for the event. That sponsorship level includes four tickets, which should accommodate the HDC members able to attend.
Commissioner Marty Cogan said the Dollars and Sense program affects commercial properties, not residences, but Hevrdejs disagreed. Cogan described a “very onerous” procedure for accessing the program. She also said her own extensive restorations were not eligible for any Dollars and Sense benefits. Bright agreed that the application process is demanding, but still worthwhile.
Hevrdejs said Eureka Springs is “very under-represented” in taking advantage of Dollars and Sense. She said some storefronts or bed & breakfast operations would qualify, and she explained that resources are available to help guide applicants through the process. More information on that subject will be included in the Aug. 26 program.
- Preserve Arkansas will celebrate its 40th anniversary in Hot Springs on Sept. 9.
- Nominations are due by Aug. 31 for Arkansas Preservation Awards. Anyone can nominate a property, and awards will be presented in a variety of categories. Commissioners are expected to discuss nominations further at the next meeting.
- The HDC will next meet at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug.17. Level III applications were due Aug. 4, and other levels are due Aug. 10.