After more than 1,000 hours of work by the Newton Historic Preservation Commission, citizen volunteers and city staff, an effort to place Newton’s Downtown District on the National Register of Historic Places has reached another milestone.

The HPC is requesting the city council authorize its effort to apply for a certified local government grant in the amount of $8,225.60. If awarded, the grant would pay for a historic preservation professional who would prepare all of the necessary documentation required for a National Register nomination.

The Downtown District has already been deemed historically significant through its representation in three contexts: growth and development of downtown (1846-1964), the rise of industry and the Maytag phenomenon (1893-1964) and the architecture of downtown (1866-1964). In June, the HPC — with the help of a historic preservation professional — completed an Intensive Level Survey & Evaluation of the downtown district, researching each building within the district.