Fort Wayne officials hope to parlay the city’s heritage and historica assets into federal cash.
The City Council on Tuesday unanimously supported the city’s application to be designated a Preserve America Community. It will take a final vote on the application next week.
Don Orban, Fort Wayne’s senior historic preservation planner, said the federal program will make the city eligible for grants to promote historical tourism in the area. More than 800 communities across the country hold the designation.
According to the program’s website, more than $20 million in matching grants has been awarded to 259 projects throughout the country since 2006. The grants help communities develop sustainable uses of their historical and cultural sites, focusing on economic and educational opportunities related to heritage tourism.
Grant amounts range from $20,000 to $250,000. Orban said the grants typically are used for planning and not for restoring historic buildings.
The program was created in 2003 by an executive order from President George W. Bush and has been promoted by then-first lady Laura Bush and current first lady Michelle Obama.
Orban said the designation would not place additional financial or development restraints on the city’s existing historic structures and neighborhoods.
Other than getting the council’s approval, the city must meet other criteria for supporting historical preservation. Orban said the city already is certified through other federal historical programs and is not concerned about its ability to achieve the designation.
“It should be relatively easy for us,” he said.
In addition to making the city eligible for grants, the designation also allows the city to use the Preserve America logo on its signs, flags and promotional material. Fort Wayne would also be listed in the program’s community directory and receive a letter of recognition from Michelle Obama.
