Lunch N Learn: Dos and Don’ts of Owning a Historic Home in Iowa City

Owning a home in one of Iowa City eight historic districts means understanding the ins and outs of the 107-page Iowa City Historic Preservation Handbook. Join us for a cliff notes version from the city’s Jessica Bristow. You’ll learn about the:

• Purpose and Benefits of Historic Districts
• Location of Historic & Conservation Districts in Iowa City
• General Requirements and Process for Making Changes to the Exterior of Homes in Iowa City’s Historic/Conservation Districts

If you’re a realtor, remodeler or simply interested in how historic preservation works, this seminar is not to be missed.

RSVP to Karyl by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, May 25 to receive a Zoom-link invitation.

About Our Presenter
Jessica Bristow is the historic preservation planner for the city of Iowa City, where she reviews proposed alterations to landmarks and buildings within historic and conservation districts. With degrees from the University of Iowa and the University of Kansas (KU) in art and architectural history, and a professional Master of Architecture from KU, she has worked in a diverse set of related occupations, including freelance work that extends from architecture to graphic design, historic research and building assessment. Jessica lives in Iowa City with her daughter, Geneva, and incorporates sustainability and education in her advocacy, trying to bring the preservation bug to the next generation.

About Iowa City Historic Preservation
The Neighborhood and Development Services Department includes offices for Housing Inspections and Urban Planning – which assists in identifying and preserving historically significant landmarks and districts. The Historic Preservation Commission, with the assistance of the preservation planner, reviews requests for exterior changes to properties located within the city’s historic districts, conservation districts and historic landmarks. Historic preservation helps to ensure that any proposed change is compatible with the historic character of the building and neighborhood.