City of Erie Launches Citywide Historic Resources Survey

The City of Erie has announced the launch of a comprehensive and equitable baseline historic resources survey. With the recently completed 'City of Erie Historic Preservation Plan' in place, this next step will help preserve vital aspects of the city's history.

City of Erie Mayor Joe Schember said, "We are fortunate to live in a city with a rich, deep, and colorful history. It is critically important to record our community's vibrant history and diverse culture so future generations understand the foundation of our amazing city as we progress and grow."

The goals of the Citywide Historic Resources Survey (CHRS) project include:

1) Identifying and documenting important historic and cultural resources

2) Identifying and documenting historic resources and structures missing from the existing inventory - such as properties that have reached the 50-year mark since the last survey was completed

3) Identifying and documenting significant cultural resources related to Erie's diverse heritage - such as cultural, built, or land-based resources that have been traditionally overlooked

4) Using community outreach to uncover cultural heritage and history and to promote and educate the public on the importance of historic preservation

The CHRS project has (3) three main parts, the first of which is guided by public input from city residents.

Phase 1 asks the public to participate in two ways: 1) by visiting an online "Story-map" aimed at sharing unique histories and cultures that have shaped Erie, and 2) visiting the "map our history" table on select days at City Hall and Hagen History Center.

Story-map: https://bit.ly/ErieHistory

Project webpage: https://www.erie.pa.us/chrs/

Once logged into the Story-map, users can move points on an interactive city of Erie map locating favorite historic resources, cultural resources, and more. Stories, photos, and voice recordings or storytelling can also be uploaded to the website.

It is highly encouraged for residents to share historic photos, historic knowledge, and local stories pertaining to our city. This input helps the city understand the public's priorities surrounding both history and culture.

Also, during Phase I, City of Erie residents can meet with City staff at City Hall and Hagen History Center on scheduled "map our history" days. City staff will be available during "map our history" events to discuss the project or to guide users through the Story-map. Staff will have posters and flyers available about the project at these sessions and will show residents how to use the Story-Map. If an Erie resident would prefer to contribute to the project through storytelling, staff are able to record and upload audio to the story-map. The schedule for "map our history" days will be listed on the project website as it is developed.

Phases 2-3 are completed by consultant Environmental Design & Research, Landscape Architecture, Engineering & Environmental Services (EDR) and will include background historic research, field-based architectural surveys from public rights-of-way, and a final report of findings. These phases will be completed by the professional research and field-based survey team and will cover all city parcels with structures, sites, objects, and districts 50 years of age and older. The survey team will be working in public rights-of-way (sidewalk, street edge) and will be digitally collecting visual and historic information pertinent to the survey. No personal information is being collected; only information about structures, sites, objects, and districts that are 50 years of age and older.

The project has funding in place to survey (8) eight of the city's planning areas including: Bayfront, Downtown, Pulaski Lighthouse, West Bayfront, 12^th Street corridor, East Bayfront, Trinity Park, and Little Italy. As future grant monies become available, the remaining (9) nine planning areas of the city will be covered in a similar process.

The ultimate goal is to have the entire city of Erie field-surveyed for historic resources within the next (5) five years. These results will help position the city for forthcoming grant opportunities-including obtaining grants specifically for: disadvantaged communities, sacred places, historic structures, and more.

In addition to providing an understanding of where and what our historic resources are, the city may use this information to shape planning decisions, policies, and projects throughout the city. In May 2021 the City was designated as a Certified Local Government (CLG) by the National Park Service. To comply with Pennsylvania requirements, a CLG must: demonstrate a commitment to historic preservation, engage the public in historic preservation, and maintain, utilize, and share current information about historic resources in the community (CLG workbook-PASHPO). Once the project is complete, a final report will be available. Mapped resource points and general information of resources will be available through the PA-State Historic Preservation Office website.

The project will be financed through a series of funding sources including two grants received from the Keystone Historic Preservation Grant Program from the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission, one grant from the Certified Local Government Program, as well as matching funds from the City of Erie's General fund (Project RFP dated 4/16/24).

PROJECT CONTACTS:

Heather Olson, Planner/Historic Preservation

Department of Planning & Neighborhood Resources

City of Erie

(814) 870-1580

[email protected]

Mike Kenneally, Project Consultant

Environmental Design & Research, Landscape Architecture, Engineering & Environmental Services, D.P.C. (EDR)

330.978.2632

[email protected]

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