St. Helens Offers Historic Building Preservation Grant

Planning map of property boundaries with historic district outlined and Primary and Secondary Significant properties highlighted

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 14, 2023

St. Helens, Ore. The City of St. Helens is offering one $17,000 grant to a St. Helens property owner to help restore an eligible historic building in St. Helens.

As a Certified Local Government designated by the National Parks Service, the City of St. Helens has access to federal historic preservation funds every two years that can be utilized by the St. Helens community. The grant program is funded by a federal apportionment to Oregon through the National Parks Service as administered by the Oregon State Historic Preservation Office.

The 2023-2024 grant cycle is now open. A letter is being mailed to all qualifying property owners in St. Helens explaining the grant application process. Eligible properties must be contributing to the St. Helens Downtown Historic District to qualify for funding. A property must be either individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places or classified as Primary Significant or Secondary Significant within the St. Helens Downtown Historic District (see included map).

The grant award is limited to one $17,000 grant and requires at least a 1:1 match. Eligible projects are for exterior restoration work. Grant selection criteria includes, but is not limited to, projects that restore integrity to the architectural style by removing incompatible features, alterations, or additions; projects that repair or replace deteriorated historic features visible from the street; and maintenance projects that preserve the integrity, safety, and stability of portions of the building.

A project will be chosen using the selection criteria by the City’s Planning Commission acting as the Historic Landmarks Commission.

The deadline to submit a grant application and all required documentation is Monday, July 24, 2023. Award notice will be given by August 11, 2023. For complete information about the grant process and to download application materials, visit the City’s website at www.sthelensoregon.gov/planning/page/historic-preservation-rehabilitation-grant.

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For further information regarding the 2023-2024 St. Helens Certified Local Government grant, please contact Associate Planner/Community Development Project Manager Jennifer Dimsho at jdimsho@sthelensoregon.gov or 503-366-8207.