Goals, Objectives and Priorities

The Springfield Historic Commission's mission is to preserve the community's significant resources. To this end, the following goals and objectives have been developed for working toward this mission.

Priorities can assist the Historic Commission in developing their yearly work plan and provide guidance when working with others in the community. As part of the ongoing efforts in the community, these priorities should be discussed and re-prioritized as necessary. A variety of factors (such as new major development with threatened existing resources) can change the priority of work from year to year and therefore, regular evaluation of priorities is recommended.

 

Because it is possible to pursue several preservation activities simultaneously, priorities need not be a single track in a linear fashion. Recognizing this, the Historic Commission chose to prioritize each of the objectives listed as either Primary or Secondary. Activities to pursue on an ongoing basis were determined to be of primary priority, while those to be completed or as time, interest, or funding permits were determined to be of secondary priority. Primary priorities are indicated in boldface below:


Southern Pacific Railroad Depot, Springfield, c. 1900.
Photo: Courtesy Springfield Museum.


 

GOAL A: EDUCATE THE COMMUNITY ABOUT HISTORIC PRESERVATION.

Objectives:

  1. Develop and produce brochures for walking tours.
  2. Work with the Springfield News to develop a regular column about the community's history and various resources.
  3. Develop and implement activities in conjunction with National Historic Preservation Week each May.
  4. Work in partnership with the Springfield Museum and Dorris Ranch to develop educational and informational programs.
  5. Establish a heritage education program for use in the schools.
  6. Sponsor public workshops and educational programs, such as a rehabilitation workshop.
  7. Develop interpretive signs about historic resources.
  8. Develop and produce an Illustrated History of Springfield.

Bridges over Willamette River: wagon road bridge (foreground), railroad bridge (middle), streetcar bridge (background).
Photo: Courtesy Springfield Museum.

GOAL B: CONTINUE SURVEY AND INVENTORY EFFORTS.

Objectives:

  1. Update old surveys to include resources which were not considered historic when originally surveyed, but have since reached the 50-year mark, and to determine which resources either no longer exist or have been substantially altered.
  2. Conduct a windshield survey of the city and urban growth boundaries and generate a list of possible areas or resource types to survey.
  3. Finalize the outbuilding survey for the Washburne Historic District.
  4. Prioritize, and conduct surveys of areas identified during the windshield survey (may include Kelly Butte, Hayden Bridge, Willamette Heights, Glenwood, and outlying rural areas).
  5. Prioritize, and conduct surveys of specific resource types (such as mill sites, farmsteads, Post WW II era housing developments, or buildings designed by John Hunzicker, architect).
  6. Identify areas of potential archaeological significance and conduct surveys.

GOAL C: PROTECT SIGNIFICANT RESOURCES THROUGH NATIONAL REGISTER LISTINGS.

Objectives:

  1. Identify potentially eligible districts and / or individual resources.
  2. Encourage property owners to seek individual nominations.
  3. Develop and implement activities in conjunction with National Historic Preservation Week each May.
  4. Pursue funding to nominate districts or multiple property groups.
  5. Issue news releases when resources are listed.

Dorris Ranch filberts orchard.
Photo: Courtesy Springfield Museum.

GOAL D: CONDUCT HISTORICAL RESEARCH.

Objectives:

  1. Develop and implement research projects on the history of minority groups and women in the Springfield area.
  2. Develop and implement research projects on historic landscapes (including designed landscapes, the millrace, parks, and cultural landscapes).
  3. Develop and implement oral history projects.
  4. Develop partnerships with the Springfield Museum, the Springfield School District, and / or the University of Oregon to implement research projects.
  5. Develop and implement archaeological research projects.


GOAL E: MAKE USE OF CURRENT TECHNOLOGY IN MAKING INFORMATION PERTAINING TO HISTORIC PRESERVATION AND HISTORIC RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC.

Objectives:

  1. Develop a Web page about the Historic Commission and Springfield's Historic Preservation Program and efforts; include links to other sites and e-mail addresses to contact city staff.
  2. Develop a computerized database that is compatible with the State Historic Preservation office.

GOAL F: DEVELOP PUBLIC SUPPORT.

Objectives:

  1. Develop and implement strategic partnerships and networking to enhance the existing preservation effort in Springfield
  2. Provide outreach to significant persons, organizations, and / or businesses that may have an interest in how Springfield's historic resources contribute to the overall quality of life in the community.
  3. Increase visibility of the Historic Commission and preservation-related activities with the City Council and the Planning Commission.

Casey's gas station, northeast corner of 7th and Main Streets.
Photo: Courtesy Springfield Museum.

GOAL G: DEVELOP AND OFFER INCENTIVES TO PROPERTY OWNERS INTERESTED IN PRESERVING HISTORIC RESOURCES.

Objectives:

  1. Encourage the use of low-interest rehabilitation loans, the Oregon Special Assessment (tax freeze) program, and federal tax credit programs.
  2. Investigate ways to develop local funding opportunities through grants and loans.
  3. Work with Community Development to develop CDBG grants that can be used for preservation-related activities.
  4. Develop and offer a directory of skilled craftspersons and consultants that can provide technical support and assistance in preparing National Register nominations and restoring or rehabilitating historic resources.

GOAL H: STRENGTHEN AND MAINTAIN THE CITY'S HISTORIC PRESERVATION PROGRAM AS PART OF THE CITY'S PLANNING AND REGULATORY EFFORTS.

Objectives:

  1. Develop a yearly work plan for Historic Commission activities.
  2. Update the historic preservation component in the Metro Plan.
  3. Secure an increase in staff time and support for preservation-related activities.
  4. Update the local ordinance (Article 30).
  5. Seek code modifications that would enhance preservation efforts.
  6. Integrate historic preservation into downtown redevelopment efforts.
  7. Investigate and encourage city or non-profit ownership and rehabilitation of significant historic resources.

 

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© 2001, City of Springfield — Kitti M. Gale — Springfield Historic Commission — City of Springfield Development Services — 225 Fifth Street — Springfield, OR 97477 — Phone: (541) 726-3632 — Fax: (541) 726-3689 — e-mail: kgale@ci.springfield.or.us