Corsicana’s Visionaries in Preservation (VIP) organization will begin creating the community’s preservation action plan on Monday, July 14, 2008 at the Corsicana Public Library. VIP is the community-planning program of the Texas Historical Commission (THC). VIP asks residents how they want their community to look and feel and provides the necessary tools to help Corsicana retain its identity and sense of place as it grows and changes.

Corsicana’s VIP program will meet once a month for seven months, starting last month. At the end of the program, Corsicana will have a preservation action plan that will make historic buildings and other assets fundamental parts of continued economic and cultural growth. 

At the past two meetings, Corsicana’s VIP member identified important preservation and livability issues throughout town and learned about modern preservation practice. At the upcoming third meeting, the membership will create a plan to address the issues.  

Your participation is essential! Even if you could not make it last month, you can still take part in this important group. 

WHO:             Corsicana’s Visionaries in Preservation

WHAT:            Goals and Action Planning

WHEN:            Monday, July 14, 2008 @ 6pm

WHERE: Corsicana Public Library, 100 North 12th Street

WHY:  To plan for a economic and community development through historic preservation

If you have any questions, please contact your VIP chair or VIP staff at the Texas Historical Commission:

            Corsicana’s VIP Chair

            Lowell Dunn, 903/874-1199

The Texas Historical Commission is the state agency for historic preservation. The agency administers a variety of programs to preserve the archeological, historical and cultural resources of Texas.

Corsicana Visionaries in Preservation Goals

• Conduct a survey of historic assets and investigate the creation of new historic districts
• Investigate locations for downtown loft and apartment living
• Enforce city ordinances to encourage property owners to maintain and restore their buildings
• Encourage investment in downtown and adjacent neighborhoods
• Identify Corsicana’s “Sense of Place” to establish a strong local identity
• Establish a preservation resource center to provide information on incentives, grants and methodology
• Encourage Corsicana’s multi-cultural communities to be active in local history and historic preservation efforts
• Increase community and organizational involvement in preservation planning and historic preservation efforts
• Research methods for incorporating green building techniques into building rehabilitations
• Increase the community’s involvement downtown through the use of events, festivals and other attractions
• Coordinate with the Texas Lakes Trail to expand local and regional heritage tourism
• Research a downtown trolley system to provide easy access for tourists and residents
• Coordinate with the city to increase regional and state-wide marketing efforts
• Investigate preservation options for Woodland Cemetery and create an interpretive plan for visitors
• Coordinate with downtown business owners to expand hours and increase business
• Improve infrastructure, including streets, sidewalks and buried utilities, to create a tourist and pedestrian friendly downtown
• Create illustrated design guidelines to encourage sensitive new development and appropriate preservation work
• Establish a tree ordinance
• Revitalize neighborhoods in close proximity to schools
• Research Historical Marker for Booker T. Washington School site
• Survey and identify all historical assets in the community, including commercial, industrial, residential and religious properties
• Create a Corsicana 10 Most Endangered Historical Assets List
• Restore the G.W. Jackson Home

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