Will County Gazette

City of Joliet Historic Preservation Commission met April 23.

Here are the minutes provided by the commission:

CALL TO ORDER

DECLARATION OF QUORUM

Present

Quinn Adamowski, Brian Bessler, Kevin Heinemann, Candace Johnson, Kailee Lowry, Sharon Merwin, Sara Stovall and Steven Wright

Absent

Mary Beth Gannon, Ken Spiegel and Aaron Mikottis Mr. Mikottis arrived to the meeting late.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Joliet Historic Preservation Commission Regular Meeting Minutes 2-26-25

A motion was made by Sara Stovall, seconded by Brian Bessler, to approve Joliet Historic Preservation Commission Regular Meeting Minutes 2-26-25. The motion carried by the following vote:

Aye: Adamowski, Bessler, Johnson, Lowry, Merwin and Stovall Absent: Gannon and Spiegel

Abstain: Heinemann

CITIZENS TO BE HEARD ON AGENDA ITEMS

None

COMMITTEE REPORTS

None

OLD BUSINESS

None

NEW BUSINESS

Grant Agreement with the State of Illinois Department of Natural Resources for the Joliet Oral Histories Context Study Project

Planner Jayne Bernhard explained the City received a grant from the State of Illinois’ Certified Local Government (CLG) for the Joliet Oral Histories Context Study Project and read the staff report into the record. Ms. Merwin inquired if the agenda item required City Council approval. Ms. Bernhard responded yes.

A motion was made by Sharon Merwin, seconded by Brian Bessler, to approve Grant Agreement with the State of Illinois Department of Natural Resources for the Joliet Oral Histories Context Study Project. The motion carried by the following vote:

Aye: Adamowski, Bessler, Heinemann, Johnson, Lowry, Merwin and Stovall

Absent: Gannon and Spiegel

Programmatic Agreement between City of Joliet, the Illinois State Historic Preservation Officer, and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation

Programmatic Agreement between City of Joliet, the Illinois State Historic Preservation Officer, and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation

Ms. Bernhard provided an overview of the Programmatic Agreement between the City of Joliet, the Illinois State Historic Preservation Office, and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation. Ms. Bernhard explained she served as the City’s qualified staff, but the previous agreement expired. Ms. Bernhard described the review process for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding requests.

In response to Ms. Merwin’s questions, Ms. Bernhard explained any CDBG funding required the review process and confirmed the Federally Recognized Tribes with Interests in Will County appendix was related to archaeology.

A motion was made by Sharon Merwin, seconded by Kailee Lowry, to approve Programmatic Agreement between City of Joliet, the Illinois State Historic Preservation Officer, and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation. The motion carried by the following vote:

Aye: Adamowski, Bessler, Heinemann, Johnson, Lowry, Merwin and Stovall

Absent: Gannon and Spiegel

Joliet Historic Preservation Commission Annual Report for 2024

Ms. Bernhard read the staff report into the record, which included highlights of 2024 preservation initiatives. There were no comments or questions from the Commission.

A motion was made by Sharon Merwin, seconded by Kailee Lowry, to approve Joliet Historic Preservation Commission Annual Report for 2024. The motion carried by the following vote:

Aye: Adamowski, Bessler, Heinemann, Johnson, Lowry, Merwin and Stovall

Absent: Gannon and Spiegel

Annual Historic Preservation Awards

Annual Historic Preservation Award Nomination Form Patrick Haley Mansion.pdf

Ms. Bernhard explained two nominations were submitted for the 2024 Annual Historic Preservation Awards Program, including 900 N. Raynor Avenue and 17 S. Center Street (Patrick Haley Mansion). Ms. Bernhard described the restoration and repairs of 900 N. Raynor Avenue.

Mr. Mikottis inquired if insurance paid for the restoration work at 900 N. Raynor Avenue. Ms. Bernhard responded yes.

Ms. Merwin discussed accidents at the corner of Ross Street and Raynor Avenue and highlighted the quality of the restoration work.

There was a discussion about notifying homeowners of the nomination.

Ms. Stovall commented on the 17 S. Center Street pictures and the quality of the restoration work.

A motion was made by Sharon Merwin, seconded by Sara Stovall, to approve Annual Historic Preservation Awards. The motion carried by the following vote:

Aye: Adamowski, Bessler, Heinemann, Johnson, Lowry, Merwin and Stovall

Absent: Gannon and Spiegel

National Historic Preservation Month (May) Events and Activities

Ms. Bernhard explained May was National Historic Preservation Month and described four programs, including Places Matter Facebook Campaign, Annual Historic Preservation Awards Program, Historic Preservation Presentation to City Council, and “Stone and Steeples” Architectural and History Tour.

Ms. Bernhard provided an overview of the tour’s participating locations and schedule. A discussion was held about other possible churches participating in the tour.

Ms. Bernhard described Joliet Area African American Historic Context Study events that would take place in the summer at Bicentennial Park. In response to Ms. Stovall’s question, Ms. Bernhard confirmed the steering committee would perform outreach work for the events and highlighted Julie Alexander.

Ms. Merwin highlighted Mr. Adamowski’s quote in the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s magazine about the Joliet Steel Mill Main Office Building. Ms. Bernhard responded to Mr. Mikottis’s inquiry about the stones at that property.

Mr. Heinemann inquired about St. Pat’s name change. Ms. Merwin described the merging of Catholic Churches within the Diocese of Joliet.

STAFF REPORTS

None

COMMISSIONER COMMENTS

In response to questions from Ms. Johnson and Mr. Mikottis, Ms. Bernhard provided updates on the Loughran Building and St. Mary’s redevelopments and described a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the former MyGrain Brewing Co. space at Joliet Union Station.

Ms. Johnson highlighted Hollice Childress and explained he was looking for partners for a series of historic restoration projects and documentary productions in major cities across the United States. Ms. Merwin spoke about a prior Historic Preservation Commissioner with the last name Childress and inquired if he was related to Hollice Childress.

ADJOURNMENT

A motion was made by Brian Bessler, seconded by Kailee Lowry, to approve adjournment. The motion carried by the following vote:

Aye: Adamowski, Bessler, Heinemann, Johnson, Lowry, Merwin and Stovall

Absent: Gannon and Spiegel

https://joliet.legistar1.com/joliet/meetings/2025/4/2387_M_Joliet_Historic_Preservation_Commission_25-04-23_Meeting_Minutes.pdf