2017-11-06 Landmark Alerts

ALERT: Federal historic tax credits at risk

The House Ways and Means Committee has eliminated the Federal Historic Tax Credit in its House Tax Reform bill released last week. Along with our colleagues at the Preservation League of New York State and the National Trust for Historic Preservation, we urge you to contact your House Representative and US Senators and let them know you support the Historic Tax Credit Program.

The Federal Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit program provides a 20% federal income tax credit for owners of income-producing properties listed in the National Register of Historic Places. This program has been vital to the ongoing revitalization of downtown Rochester, its neighborhoods, and the many smaller communities in our region. Without it, projects like the rehab of the Eastman Dental Dispensary (pictured above) likely wouldn’t be feasible. Click here to read a recent editorial in the Democrat & Chronicle about why this program is so important to our region. 

The House of Representatives is expected to vote by mid-November.  The Senate is now working on a similar version. Please contact your House of Representatives members and ask for them to use their voice to advocate for the credit to be added back to the final House bill. Senators Schumer and Gillibrand support the Historic Tax Credit, but it is helpful for them to be reminded of the credit’s importance and that the forthcoming the Senate bill needs to include the Historic Tax Credit.

>>Click here to use a contact form provided by the National Trust for Historic Preservation

>>Click here for additional resources from the Preservation League of NYS, including talking points and finding contact info for your House Representatives.

Deadline extended for session proposals

The 2018 NY Statewide Preservation Conference takes place in Albany (April 26-28)! We’ll be surrounded by grandiose government architecture, diverse city neighborhoods, historic parks, and amazing adaptive reuse projects. Experts, grassroots community advocates, and new voices in the preservation movement will come together in Albany to learn from one another.

In order to make this conference a success, we need your preservation projects, ideas and initiatives. Share your success stories, challenges, and new ideas with preservationists and community advocates from across the state. Submit your session proposal by this Friday, November 10th (at 5:00 PM) in order to be considered. Proposals on a wide variety of topics are welcome and encouraged.

 >>Click here to see more detailed information and submit a conference proposal.

The 2018 NY Statewide Preservation Conference is presented by The Landmark Society of Western New York, Historic Albany Foundation, The Preservation League of New York State and the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.

Preservation Awards ceremony this Sunday

And, the envelope, please………!  Yes – it’s time again for The Landmark Society’s Annual Awards Ceremony. Join us this Sunday, November 12 at 3:00 p.m. at Rochester’s historic City Hall. The Awards are given to individuals and organizations in our nine-county area that have made outstanding efforts in the preservation of their homes, public buildings, historic properties, and landscapes. An informal reception in the City Hall Atrium will follow the presentation of the awards in Council Chambers. If you can’t make the event, check out our website–we’ll be announcing the award recipients in the week leading up to the ceremony.

Sunday, November 12th | 3:00 PM | Rochester City Hall, 30 Church St. | FREE