The City of Ottumwa is a community of 25 thousand along the Des Moines River in southeast Iowa. Ottumwa has an active Historic Preservation Commission and is a participant in the Certified Local Government program. Our seven National Register historic districts include four residential districts, two commercial districts and a cemetery. Ottumwa is also home to the Iowa Heartland Historic Connection, a regional historical museum and research center. Ottumwa's Historic Preservation Commission has recently sought to take a more active role in policymaking, advocacy and education.

The selected firm or team will work with City staff to develop an action-ready plan for historic preservation activities for 2022 through 2032. Desired plan elements include:

1. Strong efforts to solicit and interpret public input. Public input should include a community survey and focus groups/listening sessions with residents and business owners in the historic districts.
2. A public policy review which includes a review of local ordinances and state and federal laws which impact preservation in Ottumwa. Areas of focus for a policy review should include:
   • Local designation for landmarks of local historic significance
   • Demolition of historically significant properties,
   • Design standards for zoning overlay districts.
3. An integrity and existing conditions report on previously identified historic resources including the seven historic districts.
4. Design and financing recommendations for brick street reconstruction.
5. Identification of potential historic resources for future survey, nomination and/or continued preservation.
6. Development or description of a model for evaluating the economic impact of historic preservation.
7. Specific recommendations for the City and its partners which would be the basis of a workplan for historic preservation within the City of Ottumwa.

This project may be contingent on the City being awarded a 2022 Certified Local Government Grant by the State Historical Society of Iowa. RFQ response materials from the selected applicant may be included in the CLG grant application. That grant round opens in June 2022.

The full request and submission instructions are available on the City's website.