The City of Piqua was confirmed this week as a Certified Local Government (CLG) by the U.S. Department of the Interior’s National Park Service and the Ohio History Connection’s State Historic Preservation Office.
Piqua joins the only 78 communities in Ohio with the designation, with Tipp City being the only other CLG within Miami County.
City of Piqua Community Services Director Kyle Hinkelman led the CLG application effort, which will bring attention and resources to the community.
“Becoming a Certified Local Government allows the City of Piqua to have additional funding and technical assistance available to the historic preservation efforts of the community,” Hinkelman said. “This designation will support the City’s active efforts to protect, redevelop and enhance our historic downtown character.”
As part of the CLG process, the City of Piqua created a City Historic Review Commission (CHRC), which reviews applications regarding the appropriateness of modifications to the Piqua Historic District as well as designates buildings as local landmarks.
“The goal of having the designation of City of Piqua as a CLG is to provide additional opportunities for developers to restore buildings in downtown Piqua,” said Piqua City Manager Paul Oberdorfer. “We are hopeful to see projects utilize State Historic Tax Credits and other financial tools to protect and revitalize our beautiful historic structures.”
Megan J. Brown, acting CLG coordinator and chief state, tribal, local plans and grants for U.S. Department of the Interior, issued the letter on September 23 confirming Piqua’s certification in the program under the National Historic Preservation Act.
“We welcome the City of Piqua as a local partner in the Federal Preservation Program and look forward to working with them to preserve what makes their community special and significant.”
For additional information about the CLG program and local efforts, visit the City of Piqua website at piquaoh.gov/chrc or contact Community Services Director Kyle Hinkelman at 937.778.2049.