On Tuesday evening, May 21, 2013, the Morrison Historic Preservation Commission (MHPC) hosted a public information session within the Community Room at the Odell Public Library. The event provided interested members of the public with more details about the City of Morrison’s pending application to have an appropriate section of its commercial area listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The speaker for the event was Mr. Darius Bryjka, a Nationally-recognized expert on historic preservation and Morrison’s project consultant. Bryjka’s work is being funded by a grant from the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency (IHPA) through its Certified Local Government program, of which the City is a proud member.Initially,
Bryjka announced that the name selected for the proposed listing is the “Morrison Main Street Historic District.” Then, for approximately two hours, Bryjka moved through general the
- notions of architectural historic preservation
- benefits of historic preservation
- description of the United States Department of the Interior’s National Register of Historic Places
- specifics of the application process.
In doing so, he emphasized that merely being included in a listed National Historic District carries absolutely no rules, regulations, impingements or restrictions for any property owners.
Bryjka went on to explain the benefits of listing–from being able to better market Morrison’s downtown retail and service establishments; to insuring the vibrancy of local merchants; to garnering financially rewarding tax credits, for qualifying building improvements. Such a designation could stave off “big box” stores that could be the ruination of local businesspeople.
Bryjka finished his presentation by outlining the step-by-step application process. While he is busy formatting the seminal document and architecturally describing each of Morrison’s commercial buildings, the members of the MHPC and friends are voluntarily researching the history of each edifice contained within the proposed boundary.
The project, he said, hopefully would be completed by the fall of 2013. Thereafter, the application would be submitted for consideration, first by the IHPA and then by the Federal Government.
Editor’s note: Darius Bryjka began his research in Morrison in late May. At that time he stated, “This National Register application is something everyone should feel positive about. Hopefully, as we’ve explained during the meeting [described above by Tim Slavin], and as we will continue to explain throughout the process, the National Register is about recognizing historic resources and providing marketing and economic incentives–without infringing upon anyone’s rights.”
“It does not effect changes that can be made to property, its use, or disposition. There simply is no downside to pursuing this listing.”