Historic Preservation
The Washington Historic Preservation Commission meets on the third Monday in February, May, August and November at 6 p.m. in the Council Chambers of City Hall. The nine (9) member board is responsible for the following activities:
•Review of construction, demolition, rehabilitation of private structures and public infrastructure within the Downtown Historic Review Area
•Submit properties for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Districts
•Recognize rehabilitation work on significant properties within the historic areas of the City through the Annual Curb Appeal Program
Application for Historic Landmark Designation
Certified Local Government Program Annual Report
Design Review Application
Historic Preservation Map
Historic Preservation Zoning Code
Historical Society Self Guided Tour
National Park Service Preservation Briefs
Streetscape & Building Design Guidelines
Curb Appeal:
In an effort to make our beautiful town even more beautiful, the Commission started a Curb Appeal Program. This program will recognize those owners or renters who take the time and make the effort to improve the outside appearance of their property.
•Project may be business or residential and can be an exterior project only
•Project must be completed within the limits of the City of Washington
•The owner/leaser or a bystander can submit nominations
•A picture of before and after is preferred, but not required
•The project must be compatible with the structure
•May include, but not limited to landscaping, tuck-pointing, glazing windows, new roof or outside restoration of any kind
•The structure must have been constructed at least 40 years ago. If you do not know your date of construction, please contact the Washington Historical Society at (636) 239-0280.
Curb Appeal Program
In addition, the Commission started a plaque program for historic downtown structures in 2008. Starting on Front Street moving southward, the Commission will provide an informational die cast plaque for the structure with a brief history of the building and the year it was built.
Historic Preservation Plaques Awarded
Downtown Washington Low Interest Loan Program:
The Downtown Washington Low Interest Façade Improvement Revolving Loan Program will offer financing for façade improvements, as well as hands on classes for historic building maintenance. The funds received will be subject to an application process and restricted to projects that adhere to the Design Guidelines adopted by the City of Washington and all other applicable ordinances. (Mandatory Review, Mandatory Compliance as determined by the City of Washington Historic Preservation Commission)
Projects must meet all of the following criteria to be considered for this loan:
•Commercial or Multi Use
•Exterior renovations only
•Located in NAP boundaries (Missouri River to Ninth Street; Market Street to High Street)
Potential projects may include, but are not limited to:
•Reinstalling bricked in or otherwise obscured windows
•Replacing ill-fitting and/or non-compliant replacement windows
•Removing inappropriate materials
•Repointing brick
•Repainting currently painted brick
•Restoration of historic store fronts
•Updating or adding signage and awnings
•Professional fees such as: Architects, Engineers, Contractors and Permit fees
Funding may NOT be used for:
•Property acquisition
•Existing debt
•Building demolition
•Legal fees
These funds will be available to business owners and property owners alike. Business owners that do not own their buildings will be required to obtain written permission from the property owner to complete the façade improvements.
Each applicant will be reviewed by the Historic Washington Foundation (HWF) board of directors and bank loan officer prior to loan approval. Our standards will meet and or exceed the standards of the City of Washington Historic Preservation Commission (WHPC), but applicants will be subject to their review and must receive a certificate of appropriateness from said commission. Applicants must also adhere to any and all policies and procedures required by the City of Washington.
Downtown Washington Low Interest Loan Program