The Mount Vernon Historic Preservation Commission’s request for proposals for new design guidelines are set for July 17.
“I think we’re where we need to be right now on this project,” said commission president Suzette Astley.
Astley said five groups had asked for a request for proposal when approached, and the commission could have as many as five bidders.
Astley asked that if there are more than three applications, the subcommittee will meet and narrow the scope down to three applicants who will then present to the full commission to select one to work with.
Astley said her biggest concern is if the budget of $35,000 will be enough for the work for new design guidelines, but she did identify a certified local government grant application that the commission could apply for that would be awarded Sept. 1 if additional funding was needed.
“It may delay the start of the work if we’re waiting for the funding for this, but we can negotiate that timeline when we see what their request for the work looks like,” Astley said.
The commission also requested a liaison from the Mount Vernon City Council to serve on the historic preservation commission. Council member Paul Tuerler has agreed to serve as that position as the committee works on design guidelines project.
Cemetery commission work
Guy Booth spoke about the work ongoing to pass an ordinance for the formation of a Mount Vernon Cemetery Commission. The ordinance has passed two readings by the Mount Vernon City Council, with the third slated for Monday, July 15.
“I think this [cemetery] commission will do a lot to preserve the cemetery,” Booth said. “Frankly, our commission [MVHPC] is not set up to deal with the preservation of cemetery stones, we’re more invested in historic buildings and structures. Having a committee dedicated to this will help with greater continuity and build on the work of so many parties who have been working towards this goal.”
Visitors center landscaping to begin in July
The landscaping work for the Mount Vernon Visitors Center is slated to begin in late July, with the building of a retaining wall to the rear of the visitors center to help address some run off issues.
After the retainage wall is completed, the commission will work alongside city employee Jayne Dewitt to find appropriate plants to be planted as of the project. Dewitt has planted many of the green spaces in the adjoining Memorial Park.
Work is still ongoing to remove some of the dark stains on the exterior of the Visitor’s Center. The tuckpointing has finished, but removing the darker stains has proved to be a task for the contractor involved, as some of their original efforts did not work.
Certificate of no material effect awarded for business signage
Abbe Creek Gallery and Gift shops signage was given a certificate of no material effect by the Mount Vernon Historic Preservation Commission Saturday, July 6.
The gallery and gift shop will be what is stepping into Right Frame of Mind’s retail space later this fall. Chris Childers, Bob Campagna and Kimberly Machovec-Smith are the trio who will be running the gallery and gift shop space in the uptown. More information about the gallery will be published closer to their fall opening to the public.
There were no comments from any commission members about the signage request, and the certificate was approved unanimously.