The Pulaski County Commissioners and the Pulaski County Council will meet in joint session this week with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources Division of Historic Preservation and Archaeology regarding the historical landmark status of the Pleasant View Rest Home.
The members of the historic preservation committee met on Oct. 22 to hear comments of support or non-support of the county home’s nomination as a historic landmark. The committee received 27 letters of support and Pulaski County Commission President Larry Brady was the only county representative who spoke to the panel.
He said that is would be a great honor to bestow on the county and did point out its history in the county and its purpose. He also noted that the structure does have some issues, including not being ADA compliant, and the county council had voted to eliminate the facility’s funding for 2015.
Brady also questioned the county’s responsibilities as to upkeep and maintenance if it was the wishes of the panel to deem the structure a historic landmark and the availability of grant funds to help in that aspect.
There is no mandate to spend funds on the county home at the county level. Federal funds could be applied to modify the building but that would be reviewed by the board if the county home would be eligible for that funding.
The board tabled the request to go through the process of establishing the building as a historic structure with the residents of Pulaski County and to answer any questions of the public. That open meeting is set for Thursday, Nov. 6 at 5 p.m. ET in the commissioners’ room on the second floor of the Pulaski County Courthouse.
