FINANCIAL BENEFITS
Summary of financial benefits available to owners of "contributing" properties within the Hist. Dist. (as well as individually-listed properties).

Residential or Non-"Income-Producing" Property
I. Kansas Heritage Trust Fund (HTF) Grants
A. Up to 80% of approved project (see note below)
B. Up to $90K max.
C. Competitive
D. Almost never repeated
II. State Income Tax Credits
A. 25% of approved project (see note below)
B. No max. dollar limit
C. Non-Competitive
D. Can be taken repeatedly
E. Extra credits can be sold

Commercial or "Income-Producing" Property
I. Kansas Heritage Trust Fund (HTF) Grants
A. Max. percentage of approved project (see note below)
1. Up to 80%, if owner in individual
2. Up to 50%, if owner is corporation
3. $1:$1 match, if owner is a not-for-profit (501c3) corp
B. Up to $90K max.
C. Competitive
D. Almost never repeated
II. State Income Tax Credits
A. 25% of approved project (see note below)
B. No max. dollar limit
C. Non-Competitive
D. Can be taken repeatedly
E. Extra credits can be sold
III. Federal Income Tax Credits
A. 10%-20% of approved project (see note below)
B. No max. dollar limit
C. Non-Competitive
D. May sometimes be taken repeatedly
E. Extra credits can not be sold

NOTES:
- Listing in the Registers makes a property owner eligible to apply for KHTF grants, but it does not guarantee the grant will be awarded.
- With both grants and tax credits, the restoration project must be approved in advance and restoration guidelines must be followed & documented.
- The Federal Tax Credit program is structured to benefit those whose restoration project costs many times over what they paid for building as it is designed to encourage people to save historic buildings from the wrecking ball, buy condemned properties, etc. (e.g. buying a building for $1 at a Sheriff’s sale, then investing $100K in the restoration).

DESIGNATIONS
Designations of properties listed in the State & National Registers of Historic Properties

I. INDIVIDUALLY LISTED PROPERTY
A. Listed as a single parcel of property
B. One piece of property which qualifies
1. Standards: Architectural and historical integrity must be preserved
a) Interior
b) Exterior

II. LISTED HISTORIC DISTRICT
A. Listed as a district
B. Majority of pieces of property must qualify ("contribute")
1. Standards: Architectural and historical integrity must be preserved
a) Exterior only
C. "Contributing" vs. "Non-Contributing"
1. Contributing buildings have these characteristics:
a) They are at least 50 yrs old
b) Their exterior reflects the architectural style and history of the District's "period of significance"
D) Financial Benefits
1. Preservation grants and tax credits are available only for "contributing" buildings within a District
2. Other funds, not related to preservation/restoration, may be available from other sources for all buildings, regardless of their register designation or age

What is a Historic District?

A Historic District is a designated area where the majority of the buildings share a common history and retain their architectural integrity. The purpose of a Historic District is to preserve the unique character of the designated area.

What is the National Register of Historic Places?

The National Register of Historic Places is the Nation's official list of cultural resources worthy of preservation. Authorized under the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Register is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect our historic and archeological resources. Properties listed in the Register include districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects that are significant in American history, architecture, archeology, engineering, and culture. The National Register is administered by the National Park Service, which is part of the U.S. Department of the Interior.

National Register properties are distinguished by having been documented and evaluated according to uniform standards. These criteria recognize the accomplishments of all peoples who have contributed to the history and heritage of the United States and are designed to help state and local governments, Federal agencies, and others identify important historic and archeological properties worthy of preservation and of consideration in planning and development decisions.

A listing in the Register brings honor and recognition to the property for its significance to the Nation, the State, or the community.


For more information, please see http://www.cr.nps.gov/nr/about.htm

DOWNTOWN PROPERTY OWNERS MEETING AGENDA (2 OCT 2006)

I. What is a Historic District?
II. Local Historic District
A. Current restrictions: Design Review Board
III. What is the National Register of Historic Places?
IV. Buildings & Sites currently listed in the National Register
A. Current restrictions: Permit reviews for listed property & within the 500-ft environs
V. Creation of Historic District to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places
A. Map
B. Contributing vs. Non-Contributing
VI. Nomination process for listing a Historic District
VII. Consequences of creating a Historic District listed on the N.R.H.P.
A. What are the benefits?
B. What are the restrictions?

MEETING:
The Historic District Committee will host a meeting for all downtown property owners on Monday, October 2, at 5:30 pm, in the Fellowship Hall of the Presbyterian Church at 3rd & Crawford.

This blog has been created to make information about the Downtown Historic District available to property owners in the downtown business core and to other local residents interested in the historic downtown.

Please visit this blog regularly for updates.