Downtown Killeen to be listed in National Register of Historic Places

The Texas Historical Commission’s State Board of Review approved a nomination for Downtown Killeen to be listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Killeen’s historic downtown is the area from 4th Street to 8th Street and Avenue B to Avenue D, which has a high concentration of significant turn of the century and mid-century buildings. The area was nominated based on its historical significance to architecture, the community, and the military.

The State Board of Review is a citizen committee of experts in the field of historic preservation in Texas. The body met January 19 and voted to approve Killeen’s nomination to the National Register. Following some final revisions, the nomination will be sent to the National Park Service for official listing in the Federal Register.

The National Register was designed to recognize and preserve historic places that contribute to the country’s heritage. A listing in the National Register helps promote tourism through prestigious recognition. The listing also makes certain properties eligible to receive federal tax credits for rehabilitation of historic buildings contributing to economic development.

Killeen received its Certified Local Government (CLG) designation in 2010. Through this program, the city applied for a grant for professional services to prepare the National Register nomination and was awarded $7,131 in 2011.

Killeen has taken a number of steps in its downtown revitalization efforts to preserve its historic resources including adopting a Heritage Preservation Ordinance, establishing a Heritage Preservation Board, completing the 2008 Historic Resources Survey, designating a historic overlay district, and developing a four-part video series about Killeen’s history.

For more information on local historic preservation and downtown revitalization efforts, visit www.killeentexas.gov/downtown or contact Heritage Preservation Officer Jill Ferenc at 501-6591 or jferenc@killeentexas.gov.