Historic Preservation

Commission | Historic Districts | Incentives and Grants | Resources | Application | Guidelines

Cedar Rapids Historic Preservation Commission

Duties
The Cedar Rapids Historic Preservation Commission makes recommendations on National Register of Historic Places nominations and local historic district designation. With City Council approval, the Historic Preservation Commission initiates historic preservation studies designed to identify and preserve the City’s historic building resources. The Commission also reviews and approves applications for Certificates of Appropriateness in the two local historic districts.

Membership
The Historic Preservation Commission is comprised of at least 11 volunteer citizens appointed by the Mayor and approved by the City Council for three year terms. City residents interested in serving on the Commission may submit a completed City application to the City Clerk’s Office and will be considered for appointment when a vacancy on the Commission occurs.

Meetings
Regular meetings are held in the fourth floor conference room at City Hall or the City Council Chambers at 4:00 PM on the fourth Thursday of each month excepting conflicts with holidays. Special meetings for Certificates of Appropriateness may be called on the second Thursday of each month. Upcoming Meeting Agenda

Historic Districts

Maps: Second and Third Avenue Historic District | Redmond Park-Grande Avenue Historic District
Applications: Historic District Application | Exterior Paint Rebate

Certificates Required in Cedar Rapids Local Historic Districts
If your property is located within the Second and Third Avenue Historic District or the Redmond Park-Grande Avenue Historic District, you must obtain a Certificate of Appropriateness or a Certificate of No Material Effect before obtaining a building permit for any exterior work other than painting, including new construction. To obtain the certificate, a historic district application must be filled out and submitted to the Cedar Rapids Department of Development.

Maps of the Second and Third Avenue Historic District and the Redmond Park-Grande Avenue Historic District in PDF format can be seen here.

Historic District Guidelines
These Guidelines were adopted in 2002 by the City Council. Guidelines are applicable to exterior work on buildings and homes within the City's two local historic districts. Click here to download a copy.

National Register Historic Districts in Cedar Rapids
There are four districts on the National Register of Historic Places within Cedar Rapids--the Second and Third Avenue Historic District, the Redmond Park-Grande Avenue Historic District, the Bohemian Commercial Historic District and the Mays Island District.

Historic Preservation Grants and Incentives

Exterior Paint Rebate Program for Historic Districts
If you own a home with wood clapboard or stucco and it is located in a Cedar Rapids historic district, you may be eligible for the Paint Rebate Program sponsored by the City of Cedar Rapids. The program provides exterior paint rebates for consumable painting materials up to a maximum of $400 if the homeowner paints his or her home. This program will provide rebates up to 50% of labor costs or $1,200, whichever is less, for a homeowner to hire a paint contractor, if one is hired. Here is an application form for the program.

Information on historic preservation grants and process to register your house on a National Register can be found at the State Historical Society of Iowa website.
 

Historic Preservation Resources

Salvage Barn - Architectural Materials Warehouse
The Salvage Barn at the Iowa City Landfill collects and sells all types of salvaged architectural materials, including exterior architectural elements such as clapboard siding and doors as well as interior features such as light fixtures, flooring and trim.

Preservation Briefs - Prepared by the National Park Service
Preservation Briefs prepared by the National Park Service have helped home owners, preservation professionals, organizations, and government agencies by publishing easy-to read guidance on preserving, rehabilitating and restoring historic buildings. Below is a list of available Briefs, if you would like a copy of one contact the Department of Development at (319) 286-5041 or Sushil Nepal at s.nepal@cedar-rapids.org. To view more Preservation Briefs visit http://www.nps.gov/history/hps/tps/briefs/presbhom.htm.