In 2019, the City of Bloomington and the Historic Preservation Commission initiated a process to update its Community Preservation Plan, first adopted in 2004. To help underwrite preparation of the new Preservation Plan, the Historic Preservation Commission received a Certified Local Government Grant from the Historic Preservation Division of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and hired The Lakota Group, a preservation planning firm based in Chicago, to help create the plan.
Central objectives of the Community Preservation Plan update include:
- assess the city’s historic preservation programs and policies, incentives for preservation, and other preservation tools that promote community development and revitalization;
- establish historic contexts for the City, and identify important historic buildings and places worthy of future preservation and protection; and,
- conduct community engagement to help assess preservation’s role in the broader planning process.
With this Community Preservation Plan, the community desires to build on past successes while recognizing that additional efforts are needed to identify priority areas for preservation, reinvestment, and economic development and to shape and enhance the City’s character.
The activity, which is the subject of the Community Preservation Plan, has been financed in part with federal funds from the Department of the Interior, administered by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. However, the contents and opinions do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Department of the Interior or the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, nor does the mention of trade names or commercial products constitute endorsement or recommendation by the Department of the Interior or the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. This program receives Federal financial assistance for identification and protection of historic properties under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, as amended. The U.S. Department of the Interior prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, or disability or age in its federally assisted programs. If you believe you have been discriminated against in any program, activity, or facility as described above, or if you desire further information, please write to: Office for Equal Opportunity Equal Employment Opportunity Officer National Park Service or Illinois Department of Natural Resources P.O. Box 37127 One Natural Resources Way Washington, DC 20013-7127 Springfield, IL 62702.
AnnaMarie Bliss, PhD, Assoc. AIA – Historic Preservation Specialist I
Amelia Buragus – Attorney, BRE Law
Lea Cline – Chair, Historic Preservation Commission
Adrianne Cornejo – Realtor, Keller Williams Realty
Austin Grammer – Coordinator, Economic and Community Development Department
Victoria Harris – Chair, Zoning Board of Appeals
Russel Francois – Architect, Francois Associates
Greg Koos – Executive Director Emeritus, McLean County Museum of History
Kevin Kothe – Director, Public Works Department
Chris Nyweide – Attorney, LivingstonBarger (Retired)
Dawn Peters – Realtor, Keller Williams Realty
Karen Schmidt – West Bloomington Revitalization Project
Greg Shaw – Northwest Neighborhood Association
Jessica Shull – Bloomington Resident
Carey Snedden – Division Manager, Code Enforcement
Carl Teichman – Director, Government and Community Relations at Illinois Wesleyan University
Jay Tezlof – Director, Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts Department
Bobby Vericella – RJV Construction and Property
Brad Williams – President, Dimmitt’s Grove Neighborhood Association
Jeff Woodward – Director, Marketing and Community Relations at McLean County Museum of History
The process for creating a Community Preservation Plan is comprised of two phases:
PHASE 1: State of the City (Fall 2019 – Fall 2020)
The first phase analysis included a comprehensive review of the City’s historic resource surveys, local historic designations and National Register listings, the existing preservation ordinance, plans and studies, economic data and incentive programs, and other plans and reports.
The first phase of the planning process also included meeting with the Steering Committee and holding listening sessions with local focus groups, stakeholders and City of Bloomington staff.
Click here to read the State of the City report.
PHASE 2: Community Preservation Plan (Winter 2020 – Summer 2020)
During the second phase Lakota completed the Community Preservation Plan and generated a range of implementation actions and programs to help implement the opportunities and recommendations presented in the Plan. The final plan is a collaborative effort together with City leaders, the Steering Committee, Historic Preservation Commission, preservation advocates, property/business owners, and residents.
Click here to read the Community Preservation Plan.
For more information about the historic preservation in Bloomington, Illinois, visit the City’s website.
