By Tim Rohwer
Three Council Bluffs neighborhood associations have been busy in recent years doing “everyday” things to preserve the historical charm of their area.
Their efforts didn’t go unnoticed.
On Thursday, they were awarded the 2013 Preservation Award by the Council Bluffs Historic Preservation Commission.
The commission recognized the Fairmount Park, Gibraltar, and the Lincoln Fairview associations for doing “everyday things that people can do,” as one city official said.
“We want to recognize the efforts of neighborhood associations to preserve their neighborhoods,” said Cal Petersen, chairman of the historical commission.
The Fairmount Park Association, according to Petersen, oversaw the renovation of the grandstand at Kirn Park, sponsored clean-up days, gave tours of the homes in the neighborhood that underwent restoration, purchased historical banners for street poles, etc.
The Gibraltar association helped the Fairmount group restore the brick streets, as well as helping with the Kirn project. It even purchased a security camera to be placed there to discourage vandals. It also sponsored fundraising events for the historic General Dodge House, and even publishes a frequent newsletter to keep residents informed on projects.
The Lincoln Fairview association purchased street sign banners for Oakland Avenue, as well as benches for the Lincoln Monument and a security camera for the Black Angel statue. That group also publishes a newsletter.
“It’s about neighborhoods saying, ‘We need to preserve what we have,’” Mayor Tom Hanafan said. “We have a community that supports a lot of efforts.”
