Missouri Preservation Plan

Number of Pages:   52
Approval Date:   April 6, 2004
Planning Cycle:  5 years

Contact Information:

Mark A. Miles
Director and Deputy SHPO
State Historic Preservation Office
P.O. Box 176
Jefferson, Missouri 65102
(573) 751-7858; fax (573) 526-6262
E-mail: mark.miles@dnr.mo.gov
Website:  www.dnr.mos.gov/shpo/preshor2004.pdf

Mission/Vision Statement:
Missouri will be a state that progresses and prospers while preserving and respecting its unique heritage. Citizens of all ages will appreciate the unique and fragile nature of Missouri's historic places and archaeological resources. Preservation will be widely recognized as a major contributor to tourism, economic development and quality of life. Government officials at all levels, legislators and private-sector leaders will include preservation concerns as they make decisions about Missouri's future. Missouri's diverse constituencies will work together as partners in a statewide preservation movement, creating an effective and vocal constituency. A high level of services will be provided to assist members of the preservation community in accomplishing its preservation goals throughout Missouri.

Table of Contents:

Introduction
Planning for Preservation
A Vision for the Future of Historic Preservation in Missouri
The Planning Process
Background

Public Participation
Critical Issues
Preservation in Missouri
Partners in Preservation
Accomplishments Since 1997
Preservation Horizons 2004

Introduction
Implementation
Goals, Objectives and Action Plans
Bibliography

PLAN DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES
Public Participation Strategies:

• Multi-layered process of interviews, surveys and public meetings
• Personal interviews with preservation professionals and leaders in the field of development, archaeology, economic development, planning and academia;
• Public opinion survey sent to more than 300 individuals active in preservation and related areas;
• Four public meetings, announced through press releases and invitations sent to 5,000 individuals;
• Session on the plan at the annual meeting of Missouri Preservation, the statewide non-profit;
• Workshop held by preservation students at Southeast Missouri State University.

ISSUES, THREATS, & OPPORTUNITIES

• Lack of awareness of the value of historic and archaeological resources is identified as Missouri's most critical preservation issue;
• Efforts to include preservation education in schools has begun, but needs more emphasis and support;
• Technical training is needed for preservation professionals;
• Economic benefits of preservation need to be publicized and communicated to bankers, community development officials, and other decision makers;
• Little formal effort to capitalize on heritage tourism;
• Advocacy needed to maintain support for and to promote the state preservation tax credit program;
• Funding for preservation activities is inadequate;
• Scope of historic survey and inventory needs to be expanded, especially for rural and scenic landscapes, archaeological sites, historic transportation corridors, mid-20th-century buildings, and ethnic neighborhoods;
• Effective communication and partnerships are needed between public and private sectors;
• Need to reinforce the link between preservation and environmentally sound policies;
• Inflexible building codes can prevent preservation of historic buildings;
• Need to include preservation in local economic development and housing programs;
• Need for expanded preservation constituency, more effective leadership, and unity in message;
• Rapidly changing technology provides opportunities to meet preservation needs, enhance communication networks, and increase delivery of preservation programs.

1. Increase public understanding, appreciation and support for the value of historic preservation.
2. Strengthen and enhance historic preservation as an economic development tool.
3. Accelerate the identification, evaluation and protection of Missouri's historic, cultural and archaeological resources.
4. Enhance cooperation and partnerships among government entities, institutions and the private sector.
5. Integrate historic preservation strategies into policy, planning, and routine procedures at all levels of Missouri government: local, regional and state.
6. Improve the delivery of historic preservation services to include innovative technologies and an expanded information network.

1. Increase public understanding.
   • Develop educational and informational products and programs;
   • Encourage grassroots planning and activities;
   • Spotlight local preservation activities;
   • Inform the public about archaeological resources;
   • Include preservation in school curricula;
   • Offer specialized training to professionals.
2. Strengthen preservation as an economic development tools.
   • Publicize economic benefits of preservation;
   • Stimulate local preservation efforts;
   • Promote heritage tourism;
   • Strengthen cooperation between preservation and economic development agencies;
   • Provide economic incentives;
   • Increase funding for preservation programs and activities.
3. Identify, evaluate, and protect resources.
   • Increase architectural surveys;
   • Use various methods to protect architectural properties;
   • Increase identification and evaluation of archaeological resources;
   • Establish new methods for protecting archaeological sites;
   • Increase identification, evaluation and protection of resources associated with ethnic and cultural groups;
   • Preserve rural and small town resources;
   • Preserve urban, rural and small town landscapes.
4. Enhance cooperation and partnerships.
   • Promote communication and interaction among government agencies;
   • Strengthen support for local preservation activities;
   • Enhance existing and establish new partnerships;
   • Develop effective advocacy;
   • Establish preservation services in state agency regional offices.
5. Integrate preservation and policy.
   • Link preservation to sustainable growth, environmentally sound policies and economic development;
   • Integrate preservation into local government policy.
6. Improve preservation service delivery.
   • Use technology to improve public access to preservation information;
   • Expand preservation web pages with information for both public and professional audiences;
   • Disseminate preservation information through expansion of advanced technologies.