Mayor Chokwe A. Lumumba has appointed JSU’s Dr. Heather A. Wilcox to its nine-member board of the Jackson Historic Preservation Commission (JHPC) to help sustain, promote and develop the city’s invaluable landmarks and sites.
As part of the board, Wilcox will advise governing authorities about the city’s historical resources and their sacred designations. At Jackson State University, she is director of Community Engagement, the Center for University-Based Development and the Metro Jackson Community Prevention Coalition.
Dr. Heather Wilcox will advise governing authorities about the city’s historical resources and their sacred designations.
“I am excited to be a part of the board because it will allow me to dive deeper into the logistics of historic preservation, one of my passions. I also look forward to networking with other historic preservationists. I hope to have an influence on how historic preservation looks in our city, particularly as it relates to minority communities,” Wilcox said.
JHPC consists of one representative from each ward and two members who serve at-large. All members are city residents with a demonstrated interest in historic preservation, architecture, history, Black planning, archaeology, law, and others.
Furthermore, according to the JHPC website, the commission follows provisions outlined by the City of Jackson Historic Preservation Ordinance. The panel reviews proposals for all exterior repair and alterations. It also oversees new construction, moving, or demolition of buildings, structures and their appurtenances within the local historic districts and local historic landmarks.
The commission’s decisions are based on the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards and Guidelines for Rehabilitation.
The JHPC website also indicates that these standards were developed for all national preservation programs and for advising federal agencies on the preservation of properties listed or eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places.
The JHPC holds a public hearing once a month, on the second Wednesday, to review applications for proposed alterations, new construction, demolition and moving of structures.
