View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Preservation Action (@preservationaction)

Good news: The federal government will not implement federal rule changes proposed by the prior administration that were hostile to the National Register designation process. In April 2019, the Preservation League submitted a letter, along with countless other preservation organizations, in opposition to these National Register changes and are thrilled they are now off the table.

These changes would have:

• Created multiple burdens and roadblocks to designation of culturally and historically significant public land.

• Had a significant negative impact on how federal properties were nominated to the National Register and determined eligible.

• Allowed National Register objections to be weighted based on property size, as compared to the current system of one owner equals one vote.

• Affected communities across the country and had a devastating impact on the Historic Tax Credit program.

Thank you to all the preservation advocates who stood up for preservation and opposed the implementation of these rule changes!

The past year brought many challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic, which continues to ravage our nation resulting in significant loss of life and livelihoods, has also caused great difficulty for businesses and nonprofits across the state. We encourage the role that historic preservation can play in New York State’s economic recovery. Preservation projects create jobs, leverage private investment, and bring life to New York’s Main Streets and historic neighborhoods.

During the 2021 New York State legislative session, the Preservation League's policy team is working to advance the Preservation League's mission through the following initiatives and advocacy work:

• Increasing the Historic Tax Credit from 20%-30% for projects under $2.5 million [Assembly: A03670, Senate: S04439]

• Protecting the authenticity and integrity of our National Historic Landmark NYS Canal System, the oldest continuously operating canal system in our country by removing the Canal System Revitalization Act from the budget. We ask the NYS Legislature to intentionally omit it from their budget bills.

• Rethinking the Governor's proposed Empire Station Complex to limit demolition of National Register-listed and eligible buildings surrounding Penn Station. Our specific legislative ask is for the proposed $1.3 billion Capital Projects Budget appropriation (page 854) for this urban renewal land grab to be removed from the Legislative budget bills.

• Funding for NYS Office of Parks Recreation and Historic Preservation (NYS OPRHP) and the NYS Council on the Arts

  • Including support for capital investment at NYS OPRHP, with particular attention to the needs of NYS Historic Sites, as well as historic buildings and landscapes within NYS Parks

• Maintaining Historic Preservation Grants under a $300 million Environmental Protection Fund

• Support of the commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution [Assembly: A04742, Senate: S04410]

• Thoughtful siting consideration for the renewable energy our state needs to ensure a sustainable future

You can read more about our key issues reflected in our response to Governor Cuomo’s proposed 2022 budget.

Read our September 2020 letter to the Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation highlighting our NYS budget priorities.

Our first-ever Virtual Preservation Advocacy Day took place on February 24, 2021.

On the federal level, we look forward to working with the new administration Congressional leadership to further emphasize historic preservation as one solution to a nationwide economic recovery. To accomplish this, we are currently focused on:

• Supporting COVID-19 relief provisions related to historic preservation under the federal historic tax credit program. We anticipate Congress will introduce a bill this month drawing upon provisions of the 2019 HTC-GO bill and the 2020 H.R. 2 infrastructure bill (Moving Forward Act).

  • The Moving Forward Act included temporary COVID-19 relief to HTC projects distressed by the pandemic.

  • HTC-GO proposed several permanent enhancements to the Fed HTC to bring more value to HTC transactions and encourages redevelopment of smaller, income-producing properties.

• Full funding of the Historic Preservation Fund.

March 8 – 11, 2021, Advocate for the HTC Virtually at Preservation Advocacy Week 2021. Virtual conference hosted by Preservation Action & National Conference of SHPOs.

The League stands at the ready to advocate for additional needs related to historic preservation in this ever-changing environment.

Earlier this month, the much anticipated FY19 economic impact report of the federal historic tax credit was published. This report highlights the success of the federal historic tax credit program nationwide specifically, that it generated $6.2 Billion in GDP and created 109,000 Jobs in 2019. Meaningful impacts of the program can also be seen here in New York, with $550 million in GDP, and 9,561 jobs created. Further evidence that the historic tax credit program has an incredibly important role as the nation looks toward a post-pandemic economic recovery.

"For more than 42 years, the Federal Historic Preservation Tax Incentives program has enabled the preservation and rehabilitation of more than 45,000 historic properties, while generating more than $188.2 billion in GDP nationally,” said Margaret Everson, Counselor to the Secretary, exercising the delegated authority of the National Park Service Director. “This is an incredible example of a federal/state partnership that continues to drive investments in historic preservation and revitalize communities across the country."

View fullsize

The Preservation League has been working with neighborhood advocates in Poughkeepsie to save the historic Williams Hall on the Vassar campus since this past summer. Click here to read the letter of support submitted by League Vice President for Policy & Preservation Erin Tobin.

This Wednesday, December 2, the Town of Poughkeepsie will meet to decide whether to preserve this historic building and its associated surroundings. Please add your name and vote YES to preserve before the hearing. Poughkeepsie town leaders are listening.

If you would like to learn more, sign the petition, and Zoom into Wednesday's Poughkeepsie Town Board meeting, please visit the Arlington Neighborhood Association's website.

Last month, we called attention to the impending demolition of the circa 1926 former Colonie Village School, and highlighted some great school reuse projects across New York State.

The League submitted a determination of eligibility for this school to the State Historic Preservation Office, and recently learned that the agency determined it eligible for listing on the State and National Registers of Historic Places. The agency indicated this school building meets the criteria for listing on the registers under both criterion A (association with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns in our history) and criterion C (Embodying the distinctive characteristics of a type, period or method of construction; or represents the work of a master; or possesses high artistic values; or represents a significant and distinguishable entity whose components may lack individual distinction).

Regrettably, public documents available seem to indicate the Village of Colonie Planning Board may not have given this historic building appropriate consideration under SEQR, prior to the issuance of a demolition permit for this historic school.

Earlier this month, the much anticipated Annual Report on the Economic Impact of the Federal Historic Tax Credit for Fiscal Year 2019 was published. This report highlights the success of the Federal Historic Tax Credit program nationwide, specifically that it generated $6.2 Billion in GDP and created 109,000 jobs in 2019. Meaningful impacts of the program can also be seen here in New York, with $550 million in GDP and 9,561 jobs created. This report provides further evidence that the historic tax credit program has an incredibly important role as the nation looks toward a post-pandemic economic recovery.

"For more than 42 years, the Federal Historic Preservation Tax Incentives program has enabled the preservation and rehabilitation of more than 45,000 historic properties, while generating more than $188.2 billion in GDP nationally,” said Margaret Everson, Counselor to the Secretary, exercising the delegated authority of the National Park Service Director. “This is an incredible example of a federal/state partnership that continues to drive investments in historic preservation and revitalize communities across the country."

The League recently submitted a letter of support to the Landmarks Preservation Board in Yonkers to express support for designating The Yorkshire as a local landmark.

As stated in the Landmarks Application, The Yorkshire is a “public amenity” and “public delight” much beloved by the surrounding community. It is also an architecturally significant Tudor Revival apartment building, part of a collection of apartment buildings on Garrett Place that reflect the social and architectural history of Yonkers. The Yorkshire is also an important piece of Yonkers social fabric, as it provides necessary affordable housing through many rent-controlled and stabilized apartment.

Click here to read the full letter.

The Preservation League recently submitted a letter to the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, urging them to reconsider their proposal to demolish the National Register-listed Debar Pond Lodge. This proposal by New York State is an egregious violation of the 1980 NYS Historic Preservation Act — as well as not being environmentally friendly, wasting the resources contained within this beautiful 20th century landmark. We support our Preservation Colleague, Adirondack Architectural Heritage (AARCH), who has also called for NYS DEC to table their draft scoping statement calling for demolition, bring together stakeholders, and allow for a thorough discussion of alternative solutions for the lodge.

Click here to read the League’s letter.

AARCH put together a video featuring the lodge and property, with Executive Director Steven Engelhart providing an overview of the property's history and his organization's involvement in seeking preservation solutions for the lodge.

On October 21, the League's Vice President for Policy and Preservation Erin Tobin had the great honor of participating in the New York State Senate Arts & Culture Roundtable. This event focused on the pandemic's impact on arts and cultural institutions, as well as the integral role these institutions will play in New York State's post-pandemic recovery. Erin's presentation focused specifically on the role that historic preservation plays in stimulating economic development, affordable housing, and the creation of artistic spaces.

Read more in the League's written statement and watch the recorded webcast below.

Since 2010, when we included Willert Park/A.D. Price Courts on our Seven to Save list, the Preservation League has supported Preservation Buffalo Niagara's work to save this significant historic site. Now we join them in calling for the Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority to begin the mandated federal review process and sit down with stakeholders. Click here to join the advocacy effort with Preservation Buffalo Niagara. 

Click here to read the League’s letter of support.