July 8, 2026 Historic Preservation Commission

The City of Kalamazoo Historic Preservation Commission held a meeting on July 8, 2026, focusing primarily on historic preservation activities and grant management. Key procurement-related discussions included the administration of the OKConor fund, a grant program supporting preservation projects. The commission approved a grant award to the Disability Network Southwest Michigan for elevator repairs, ensuring compliance with accessibility requirements. They also voted to increase the maximum competitive grant amount from $10,000 to $15,000 starting in 2027 and approved hiring a qualified consultant to pre-review draft grant applications, with the consultant to be selected from the Michigan SHPO's qualified list. These actions aim to streamline grant processes and enhance support for preservation projects. Additionally, the commission appointed Dan Castner to fill a board vacancy. Financial reporting improvements and procedural clarifications regarding grant disbursements through the Kalamazoo Community Foundation were also discussed, enhancing transparency and operational efficiency.