In the early morning on April 3rd, the NYS Legislature passed the final budget bills for Fiscal Year 2020-21. New York State faced unprecedented challenges in finalizing the budget in the midst of responding to COVID-19 and the associated economic impacts. The Transportation, Economic Development and Environmental Conservation (TED) Bill had several provisions relevant to historic preservation, including prevailing wage, the Restore Mother Nature Bond Act, and the Accelerated Renewable Energy Growth and Community Benefit Act. The Capital Projects Bill included $300 Million for the Environmental Protection Fund, which supports historic preservation projects funded through the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.

The Preservation League successfully advocated for prevailing wage protection for historic preservation projects. Those who use the NYS Historic Tax Credit and nonprofits with gross revenue under $5 million will not be subject to prevailing wage requirements.

The Accelerated Renewable Energy Growth and Community Benefit Act has the important and laudable goal of creating sustainable, environmentally responsible energy production as a key component to fighting climate change. We appreciate Governor Cuomo’s leadership on that front and support thoughtful siting of renewable energy production. The that end, we noted that this act seeks to “avoid, minimize or mitigate potential adverse environmental impacts from the siting, design, construction and operation of a major renewable energy facility.” As the state considers environmental impacts, we are sure they will include historic and cultural resources, and the Preservation League will remain vigilant in speaking up for the places that are important to New Yorkers.

Unfortunately, the FY 2020-21 NYS Budget Appropriation Bills did not include any improvements to the NYS Historic Tax Credit Program. We believe that an increased credit for small projects will stimulate local community development and economic revitalization efforts throughout New York State, helping small business and building owners, as well as providing much-needed jobs. The Preservation League will continue to advocate for this much-needed NYS Historic Tax Credit improvement and stimulus.

(Preservation League staff and advocates on our 2020 Preservation Advocacy Day, with Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner, who introduced Historic Tax Credit legislation this session)

In an effort to increase public enjoyment of the Hudson River and increase rail safety, Scenic Hudson commissioned a Hudson River Access Plan.

The plan provides a comprehensive look of existing public access along the river’s rail corridor between Poughkeepsie and Rensselaer. It suggests possible locations for shoreline access and recommends improvement to crossing rail lines safely.

Of particular interest to the Preservation League of New York State is the preservation of the multiple early 20th century historic pony truss bridges that cross the railroad along the corridor, some in danger of being removed or otherwise discontinued from use. Many of these bridges fall within the Hudson River National Historic Landmark Historic District and discontinuing use creates an adverse effect for these important landmarks.

Read our full comment letter.

(Left: bridge @ Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site. Photo Credit: Peter Melewski, courtesy of Scenic Hudson.

Right: Scenic Hudson bridge @ the former Dominican Camp. Photo Credit: Jeff Anzevino)

Assembly bill A.10095, introduced by Assemblymember John T. McDonald III, would amend the real property actions and proceedings law to expand the applicability of the receivership law to the entire state of New York for the purpose of remedying conditions dangerous to life, health or safety.

This legislation aims to address real property issues in cases where tenants voice complaints to landlords, yet issues remain unaddressed. This tool will help address building code violations and situations when buildings have fallen into serious disrepair. A strong receivership program will ultimately deter building vacancy and demolition of unsafe properties, keeping more of our older residential buildings well-maintained and out of the land. Maintaining safe and livable housing is paramount for stabilizing and maintaining neighborhoods and contributing to the quality of life for residents across New York State.

Read our full memo of support.

Thanks to the organizations below for joining the Preservation League in support of this legislation:

On March 9, 2020 the Senate introduced the Great American Outdoors Act.

S. 3422 would provide up to $9.5 billion of dedicated funding to be used toward the backlog of deferred maintenance of the National Park Service (& other Federal agencies). This legislation would provide much needed support for the preservation of historic and cultural properties.

Thank-you to Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand for being among the original co-sponsors of this legislation.

Stay tuned for updates including the potential introduction of House same-as legislation.

Read the Preservation League’s comment letter.

We encourage advocates of historic preservation to submit your comments by March 10th, voicing your opposition to the proposed changes to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

Comments can be submitted using this link. View the proposed regulations here.

You can also help the cause by contacting your New York Congressional Representatives and telling them your opposition to this proposal.

On February 26, 2020 Preservation advocates traveled to Albany from near and far to advocate for historic preservation in New York State.

A big thank you to our New York State legislators and to our participants for supporting historic preservation!

Read more.

NYS Historic Tax Credit Small Project Increase. Read the Support Memo.

• Will increase the credit from 20-30% for projects under $5 million.

Assembly Bill A5760C | Woerner; Co-sponsors: Lupardo, Fahy, Otis, Englebright, D'Urso, Arroyo, Smullen, Brabenec, McDonald, Hunter, Magnarelli, Schimminger, Walsh

Senate Bill S3645B | Kennedy; Co-sponsors: Kaplan, Metzger, Serrano

Read the Support Memo

NYS Historic Tax Credit Transferability. Read the Support Memo

• Allows for a one time transfer of the Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit.

Assembly Bill A8491 | Woerner; Co-sponsors: Hunter, Fahy, McDonald, Magnarelli

Senate Bill S6711 | Kennedy

Assemblymember Daniel O’Donnell and Senator Jose Serrano have introduced legislation to create a Historic Business Preservation Registry in New York State. This initiative will serve as an educational and promotional tool to recognize historic community-serving businesses as valuable cultural assets.

Assembly Bill A.8873A | O’Donnell; Co-sponsors: Otis

Senate Bill S.7274B | Serrano;

Read our memo of support.

Thanks to the organizations below for joining the Preservation League in support of this legislation:

On January 26th, 2020, the New York Times published an opinion piece accusing historic preservation of being “elite” and harming the fight against global warming, among other improper characterizations of the field. Rather than disparaging the work of the preservation community, we suggest that preservationists should be celebrated for their commitment to economic development, community revitalization, and smart, sustainable growth.

Read the Preservation League’s full response comment letter & Letter to the Editor.

Erin Tobin, Vice President for Policy and Preservation, had the pleasure of testifying at the 2020 Joint Legislative Budget Hearing on Environmental Conservation on January 27, 2020.

Issues important to the League were highlighted including: the Reimagine the Canals Initiative, the NYS Energy Research and Development Authority’s Clean Energy Fund, the Governor-proposed prevailing wage requirement, the NYS Historic Tax Credit. The League also outlined the importance of funding for the Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation, the Environmental Protection Fund, and the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA)

Read the Preservation League’s full written testimony.