Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Planning and Development Services

TO:	Diane Stoddard, Interim City Manager
CC:	Scott McCullough, Director Planning and Development Services Ernie Shaw, Director Parks and Recreation Casey Toomay, Assistant City Manager
FROM:	Lynne Braddock Zollner, Historic Resources Administrator
DATE:	June 29, 2015
RE:	Grants for Oak Hill Cemetery

Background

Planning staff applied for and received two grants for the documentation of Oak Hill Cemetery and preservation of the receiving vault in recognition of the cemetery’s 150^th anniversary.  Both grants were awarded to the City.

Historic Preservation Fund Grant

The Historic Preservation Fund Grant is to document and provide an educational tool for the cemetery.  This includes a survey of the landscape, significant features of the cemetery and documentation of the existing structures in the cemetery.  Documentation also includes the preparation of a National Register of Historic Places Nomination should the City decide to list the property in the National Register.  In addition to the documentation of the cemetery, the grant provides for the creation of a Teaching with Historic Places curriculum to be used in area schools.  Teaching with Historic Places is a program of the National Park Service to engage students and teachers to use local historic resources to learn not only the history of a place, but also how the place interacts with broader themes that have shaped this country.  (For additional information about the TwHP program see http://www.nps.gov/nr/TWHP/index.htm )

The total project cost is $46,600.  The grant will provide $31,960.  The City will provide $14,640 in match.  The match for this grant will be City staff salaries. 

Douglas County Heritage Grant

The Douglas County Heritage Grant will provide funds for the preservation of the receiving vault at Oak Hill Cemetery. This grant will include the actual physical work that needs to be done to save the vault from continuing deterioration and the threat of demolition. The work includes roof repair, cleaning, preservation of deteriorated stones and the repointing of the vault. The vault, built c. 1884, is an excellent example of early cemetery architecture and is also significant for its association with the growth and development of Lawrence, for its association with the Rural Cemetery Movement, and for its association with historic cemetery operations.

The total project cost is $56,000.  The grant award is for $52,000 with the City match of $4,000.  The City match will be staff salaries to document the preservation process and interview individuals involved with the operations and maintenance of the cemetery as well as individuals with expertise in the history of the cemetery.  Documentation will include photos and film that can be edited into a video that can be placed on the City’s website and You Tube channel.

Staff Recommendation

Staff recommends the City Commission accept a Historic Preservation Grant in the amount of $41,960 and a Douglas County Heritage Grant for $52,000 for documentation of Oak Hill Cemetery and restoration of the receiving vault at Oak Hill Cemetery. Staff recommends the City Commission authorize the Interim City Manager to execute project agreements for the grants. 

Action

Accept a Historic Preservation Grant in the amount of $41,960 and a Douglas County Heritage Grant for $52,000 for documentation of Oak Hill Cemetery and restoration of the receiving vault at Oak Hill Cemetery. Authorize the Interim City Manager to execute project agreements for the grants.