ROCK ISLAND PRESERVATION COMMISSION

The Rock Island Preservation Commission was created in 1984 for the purpose of identifying such property, structures or areas within the City of Rock Island, Illinois that are historically significant.

The Preservation Commission performs the landmark designation of significant property, structures and historic districts and advises the City Council if such designations are appealed. It is the duty of the Preservation Commission to protect the distinctive visual characteristics of landmarks and historic districts by reviewing, giving advice and passing upon changes to their exterior architectural appearance.

The Preservation Commission also takes a lead role in educating the public as regards the architectural and historical heritage of our community.

The menu to the left shows the depth of information the Commission maintains regarding the historical and architectural importance of Rock Island. Also included are the programs and activities of the Preservation Commission. Below is a synopsis of these menu items:

Architectural Styles: Chronological list of historic architecture found in Rock Island, along with simple representative drawings of those styles.

Historic Neighborhoods: Background on 17 distinct neighborhoods in Rock Island, including photographs, maps and links.

History of Rock Island: Historical synopsis of our community, including links.

Landmarks / Historic Districts: Summary pages link to informational pages featuring Rock Island Landmarks and Historic Districts, with paragraphs of text, photographs and relevant links.

National Register: Summary pages link to informational pages featuring National Register of Historic Places located in Rock Island, with paragraphs of text, photographs and links to complete National Register nomination forms.

Research Resources: Local research materials and locations helpful to people researching the history of a building.

Tours / Publications: Comprehensive list of Rock Island Preservation Commission publications with synopses and links to .PDF versions, when available.

Why Preserve?: Editorial and persuasive comment from the Preservation Commission.

Helpful Links: Links to architectural research, local history research and local and national preservation organizations.

About the Commission / Members: Duties of the commission, plus an address list of current members.

Awards / Recognition: Comprehensive list of awards given to the Rock Island Preservation Commission and its individual members.

Certificate of Appropriateness: Explanation of the COA procedure, plus an application form to upload.

Certified Local Government Program: Definition of the CLG Program and the access to grants it provides, including a recent list of grants awarded to Rock Island.

Design Guidelines: Explanation of design guideline philosophy, plus outline of contents and link to .PDF version.

Environmental Review: Description of how the Preservation Commission becomes involved in state and federal projects that can impact local historic resources.

How to Become a Landmark: Systematic description of the landmark process, including an application to upload.

Meeting Schedule / Deadlines: Annual Preservation Commission calendar.

News and Activities: Recent projects and events involving the Preservation Commission.

Preservation Ordinance: Brief history of how the ordinance was developed, along with a .PDF version of the ordinance.

Staff Services: Explanation of how City of Rock Island staff can assist in the historic preservation process.

Survey and Inventory: Database of historic buildings and the relative level of significance, including discussions of major inventory projects.