Historic, Cultural, and Heritage Economic Development Ad Hoc Committee

BACKGROUND

The Arizona State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), a division of Arizona State Parks, plays a pivotal role in safeguarding the state’s historic and archaeological properties. SHPO collaborates with communities to protect heritage resources, facilitates the Certified Local Governments (CLG) program, and provides incentives such as historic tax credits. This aligns with San Luis' 2040 General Plan, which underscores the significance of historic preservation in enhancing community identity, supporting economic development, and leveraging cultural heritage as an asset.

SAN LUIS 2040 GENERAL PLAN ALIGNMENT

Community Identity & Preservation: Reinforce community identity through historic preservation efforts and develop standards to preserve the historical integrity of buildings, particularly in the downtown area. 

Historic Preservation Goals: Pursue CLG status through SHPO, conduct cultural resource surveys, and establish the Economic Development Commission as the board for the CLG program. This will open opportunities for federal Historic Preservation grants to support revitalization initiatives.

OBJECTIVES OF THE AD HOC COMMITTEE

  • Identify Properties for Historic Designation: Develop an inventory of historically and culturally significant properties and pursue CLG status.
  • Identify Grant Opportunities: Compile grant programs for historic preservation and adaptive reuse, including state and federal funding opportunities.
  • Promote Adaptive Reuse for Business Development: Develop strategies for repurposing historic properties into boutique hotels, cultural centers, and retail spaces.
  • Increase Tourism through Heritage Assets: Develop marketing strategies to promote San Luis' historic and cultural heritage.
  • Assess Revenue Generation & Economic Impact: Evaluate the potential revenue from heritage tourism and adaptive reuse investments.

COMMITTEE STRUCTURE

  • Members will be appointed by the SLEDC Chairman and led by the SLEDC Vice Chair. 
  • Proposed members include SLEDC commissioners, community members, city staff, property owners, and local business representatives.
  • The committee will operate for no more than 24 months and report findings and recommendations to the City Council within this timeframe.

EXPECTED OUTCOMES & BENEFITS

  • Job creation through adaptive reuse projects and tourism growth.
  • Increased grant funding for property revitalization.
  • Expansion of the commercial tax base.
  • Growth in heritage tourism, attracting visitors, and increasing local business revenues.
  • Strengthened community identity and cultural preservation efforts.