MERRILLVILLE | The town plans to establish a Historic Preservation Commission.
If the panel is created, it would adopt rules, regulations and laws for Merrillville's Historic Preservation District, Town Administrator Howard Fink said.
The initial area of the district would be along 73rd Avenue from Madison Street to Broadway, Town Council President Carol Miano said.
Within that area is the Merrillville-Ross Township Historical Museum, 13 W. 73rd Ave.
The facility, which was built around 1865, was once a school. It also served as a town operations location.
In the 1990s, the Merrillville-Ross Township Historical Society had the opportunity to open the museum there after Merrillville departments moved to the current Town Hall at 7820 Broadway.
Miano said the historic district could be expanded in the future.
The council is expected to vote Tuesday on the first reading of an ordinance creating the commission. The measure could be adopted by the council in March.
If it is formed this year, Miano would appoint members to serve on the commission, Fink said. The appointments would require council approval.
Town leaders discussed a similar proposal to form a historic preservation commission several years ago, but no action was taken then, Fink said.
Please Wait…