Promoting Progress

Earlier this month, Aurora’s Historic Preservation Commission presented its annual awards, recognizing four rehabilitation projects for their significant investment and improved visual appeal in the city’s locally designated historic district.

The commission honored improvements at two private homes. Lisa Burns removed peeling paint, repointed and repainted her residence at 216 Judiciary, a former livery stable ostensibly dating to 1878, though some locals believe the building may be older. Cynthia Bean tackled large-scale repainting at her c.1862 frame house at 403 Judiciary.

Riverside Tile and Marble on Second Street, Aurora’s main downtown commercial corridor, earned kudos for a makeover that included repair of the c.1910 Classical Revival façade, rust removal from iron elements, and a new paint scheme that accents architectural details.

Aurora United Methodist Church, 304 Third Street, shines after tuckpointing and painting the entire c.1862 building. Individually listed in the National Register of Historic Places, the church has protection through its inclusion in the locally designated historic district.

Three of the projects leveraged the city’s Façade Improvement Grant Program, which provides property owners in the district matching funds up to $5,000 for exterior improvements.

To date, the program has funded more than 50 projects in downtown Aurora. Applications for the next round of grants program are due by May 31. Indiana Landmarks and Main Street Aurora will hold an informational session on April 11 at Jessi’s Family Restaurant, 339 Second Street, beginning at 6:30pm, to outline eligible activities, the application process, and how to secure the required Certificate of Appropriateness from the Historic Preservation Commission.

Like other historic preservation commissions – often referred to as HPCs – Aurora’s commission is tasked with maintaining the unique historic character of the local historic district while managing the imact of change. Locally designated historic districts differ in an important way from districts listed in the National Register of Historic Places. National Register districts are largely honorary and offer no restrictions or protection unless there is federal funding involved. They do, however, qualify some properties within their boundaries for federal tax credits and historic preservation grants and loans. Aurora has both types of historic districts.

Learn more about the benefits and differences of National Register and locally designated historic districts.