Services
What is the HPC?
The Fort Wayne Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) is a seven-member mayoral appointed body. Commission members are residents of the City who are interested in the preservation and development of historic areas and include professionals with experience related to history, architecture, construction, and other disciplines related to historic preservation. Qualified Historic Preservation Planners in the City's Community Development Division serve as staff to the HPC.
District Administration
For locally designated historic properties and conservation districts the HPC and staff provide design review, and issue approvals for projects which are subject to public view.
Public Meetings
The HPC holds monthly public meetings to issue Certificates of Appropriateness and Variances for work to be done in historic areas. The Commission meets on the fourth Monday of each month at 5:30 p.m. in the OMNI Room (2nd Floor) of the City-County Building (date and location are subject to change). The public is welcome to attend all meetings of the Fort Wayne Historic Preservation Commission.
The HPC has granted its staff permission to approve Certificates of Appropriateness in certain situations. In these cases, review by the full commission is not necessary. Ask the HPC staff if a Commission Review or staff approval is applicable for your project.
Technical Assistance
The HPC staff is available to the public to provide design assistance and technical information related to the restoration and rehabilitation of historic buildings. The staff can also assist with architectural and historical research about properties in Fort Wayne and throughout Allen County.
Architectural and historic research assistance is available from HPC staff to groups or individuals involved in revitalizing historic areas and rehabilitating historic properties.
Assistance is available with the preparation of both Local District petitions and National Register nominations.
The staff assists other city and county departments and non-profit agencies undertaking projects that affect historic areas and buildings.
HPC staff assists neighborhoods interested in historic or conservation district designation.
Preservation Planning
The HPC staff assist neighborhood associations, businesses and others in interpreting and implementing approved Neighborhood and Community Development Plans. The staff also has the task of revising and updating adopted plans and reports as well as providing the historic components of other plans prepared by the City.
Environmental Review
The Historic Preservation Act of 1966 mandates detailed analysis of historic significance, determination of potential eligibility for listing on the National Register, and the assessment of the effect that federally funded projects have on eligible buildings or areas. The HPC staff provides required historic preservation review for federally funded projects such as housing rehabilitation programs, major redevelopment projects, and other city supported projects.
Other Services Provided by HPC Staff
Design Assistance [HPC staff cannot prepare your plans or design your project]
Assistance selecting exterior paint colors
Assistance selecting building materials
Assistance developing landscaping plans
Research assistance including:
Historic Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps
Extensive building information files
Historic photos of Fort Wayne
National Register nominations
Local Historic District nominations
General product information (HPC cannot make product recommendations)
On-site technical support
Library with information on:
Paint colors
Architectural history and styles
Historic interior design
Landscape architecture
Renovation and rehabilitation
Building materials and construction
Fort Wayne history
Share this article
