Casper may become the next Preserve America community, which could mean recognition from the White House, as well as access to federal grants.

The program provides one-to-one matches of up to $250,000 for projects such as research, documentation, interpretation, education, planning, marketing and training.

In order to receive the status, a community needs to meet three criteria including recently supporting a historic or cultural preservation project and adopting a resolution showing its commitment to preservation.

The recent expansion and rennovation of the Fort Caspar Museum helps the city meet one of those criteria, Peggy Brooker, a coordinator for the city of Casper's Historic Preservation Commission told the council in a recent work session.

In addition, the Casper City Council needs to vote to authorize the application.

Brooker also said that U.S. Sen. John Barrasso and Rep. Barbara Cubin are willing to write letters of support for the town they represented earlier in their careers in the Legislature.

Cheyenne is a member of Preserve America and received a grant recently for $52,000 that funded brochures, interpretive materials and monuments. Evanston also garnered funds for an architectural study, and Green River and Rock Springs are also Preserve America towns.

The city council will vote on support for the application in its meeting tonight.

The council will also hold a public hearing on the proposed Walsh Drive addition.

The city needs to divide roughly six acres into two lots to allow for the extension of Walsh Drive. Currently, the land is owned by NOWCAP Services, which gave permission for the new street.

Contact city reporter Christine Robinson at (307) 266-0639 or christine.robinson@trib.com

To attend

The Casper City Council meeting will be at 6 tonight in City Hall, 200 N. David St.

The Casper City Council meeting will be at 6 tonight in City Hall, 200 N. David St.]]->