Historic Preservation

Historic Buildings

Springboro is fortunate to continue to have many buildings that date to - and before- its founding in 1815. Most of these buildings can be found in a seven-block historic district located on South Main Street, SR 73, south of Central Avenue (SR 741). Some of these structures contributed to the Underground Railroad that conducted thousands of runaway slaves from bondage in the southern U.S. to freedom to the north. The historic district is a federally- and locally-designed Historic District.

Creation of the Board

To protect these and other historic properties in the community, the Springboro Architectural Review Board (ARB) was created 1996 by City Council. The ARB’s responsibilities are outlined in the Historic Preservation Code, Chapter 1229 of the City’s Codified Ordinances, and principally include managing exterior changes to protected properties through the use of its Historic Design Guidelines. The ARB is responsible, in coordination with the Planning Commission, in managing the development in the Town Center Overlay District located immediately to the north of the Historic District.

Annual Awards

The ARB conducts an annual awards program to recognize individuals and organizations for their work in preserving protected properties and overall preservation leadership. The program typically coincides with the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Preservation Month in May.

Historic Preservation Grant Program--UPDATED Aug. 28, 2023

Applications due Monday, Sept. 11

The application deadline for the 2023 Springboro Historic Preservation Grant Program has been rescheduled to Monday, Sept. 11, 2023. Based on questions received to this point, please take a moment to read the instructions provided in the application package; this is the same package distributed to eligible property owners, as well as the information below.

  • Please only complete the 2023 Historic Preservation Grant Application on page 6 of the application package. DO NOT complete the grant agreement and preservation agreement (pages 8-9 of the package) as part of your application. City staff will fill out those forms with you in the event your proposal is selected.
  • The application (page 6) is to be accompanied by a detailed proposal from a bona fide contractor, or team of contractors. Only itemized proposals will be accepted: No lump sum/not-to-exceed proposals.
  • Eligible properties are listed on page 7 of the application package.
  • The maximum project grant is $5,000.00 regardless of the project cost and scope. For example if the project estimated cost is $12,000.00, the City will pay a match on a 1:1 basis for the first $10,000.00 worth of work. All grants are paid on a reimbursement basis.
  • Project estimates may also be for a lesser amount. For example, a roof repair project may cost $4,300.00. In this instance the City will pay up to $2,150.00 through the grant program, again on a reimbursement basis.
  • Updated 8/30/23: The City will now accept applications for exterior painting projects under the program. Such projects, regardless of price, will be funding up to $2,000 on a reimbursement basis and will be evaluated on the same program priorities included in the grant package. For example, a $4,500 painting project will be funded up to $2,000, an $11,000 paint project will be funded up to $2,000. As with all applications, we will need an application and an estimate from a bona fide contractor. Exterior painting projects involving a color change will require approval by the Architectural Review Board (ARB).

As always, if you have any questions about the program or your project, please reach out to City staff at 937-748-6183.

More Information