Growing concern regarding the preservation and use of South Portland’s most historic buildings and other assets led to the City Council approving the creation of a new Arts and Historic Preservation Committee this past fall.

Membership of that committee is now complete and following a recent organizational meeting during which Jessica Skwire Routhier, the District 1 representative, was chosen to head the committee, the group is set to meet next week and take its first steps toward fulfilling its goals.

According to the committee’s charge, the group’s purpose is to “assist the City Council in preserving the historical and architectural integrity of South Portland, fostering beautification of public areas and promoting the educational, cultural, economic, aesthetic value and general welfare of South Portland.”

Among its duties are developing policies, priorities and plans for promoting and advancing historic preservation; fostering and encouraging preservation, restoration, rehabilitation, designation and reconstruction that respects the historic, cultural and architectural significance of distinctive areas, sites, structures and objects; working collaboratively with the South Portland Historical Society, Greater Portland Landmarks and others to identify and preserve the city’s historic, cultural and architectural areas, sites, structures and objects; and assisting the city in seeking grants or donations of funds for public works of art.

Routhier said the city staffer assigned to the committee is Planning and Development Director Tex Hauser and said her plan for the first official meeting on Feb. 11, at 8 a.m. at the planning office, is to elect a vice chairman and a secretary, decide on a regular meeting date and hear from Jane Batzell, the representative from Greater Portland Landmarks, who will explain how her organization was integral in getting the committee established.

“There has (also) been some talk about putting together an internal survey for committee members and city staffers on what they see as the leading priorities for the committee. So I think at the Feb. 11 meeting we’ll talk a bit about what the questions will be,” she said.

While it’s too early for Routhier to discuss any specific projects or plans, one of her first goals would be to “gather public opinion about what the needs and interests are (of residents) when it comes to historic preservation and public art. I don’t know exactly how we’re going to do that yet, but I think it has to be done before we start talking about any marquee projects.”

In her opinion the creation of the committee is important because “South Portland is such a fantastic place to live and this committee can be a part of the larger process that respects and supports that. We might do that, in part, by preserving what’s wonderful about it (such as) historic architecture and neighborhood character and we also might do it, in part, by growing and adding to what makes it great (such as installing) broadly appealing and meaningful public art projects.”

She said one of the biggest reasons why the committee was formed is that South Portland’s historic buildings, in general, were on Greater Portland Landmark’s 2013 Places in Peril list and individual buildings like the Armory had been on previous lists, “so there has been a growing feeling on the part of the city, and also, I think residents, that there should be some sort of community oversight to how our historic resources are preserved, developed, shared and used.”

Routhier added, “I think that’s important for any city that cares about both its history and future, as I know South Portland does.”

Her hope is that if the committee does its work well, it can help “enhance the long-term economic health of South Portland by supporting its already-strong reputation as a great place to live,” Routhier said. “We will also be helping to preserve its history, and we may be in a position to offer opportunities for artists and other creative people who work here.”