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Inside Downtown 2010 Highlights the St. Paul Quarter Purchase your ticket here Once Rochester's garment district and now one of our most vibrant neighborhoods, The St. Paul Quarter tour highlights several historic buildings meticulously restored and re-purposed into unique business spaces and one-of-a-kind loft apartments. Exceptional care has been taken to preserve historic character and many locations feature original hardwood floors, restored tin or vaulted ceilings, and floor-to-ceiling windows with amazing city views. Decor ranges from traditional to modern but all with an eye to detail and incorporating high-end materials with outstanding workmanship and quality. This year's tour will feature a special luncheon from 11:30am to 2:30pm on Saturday at Tapas 177 Lounge to benefit The Landmark Society. Read more about it.
___________________________________________________ Historic Rehab Tax Credits Still in Danger Your Attention and Action are Needed The outpouring of concern and attention to these vital economic tools is just the beginning. Even with a budget approved in Albany, the definitions of payment delays, deferment strategies, and final cuts are still being worked out and your voice must be heard now. What do these kind of tax credits actually do? Much. Generally speaking, these kind of credits involve the rehabilitation of a building that has been sitting empty or under-utilized and therefore has not been contributing much to the tax rolls or the surrounding neighborhood. Although in the short term, tax credits obviously take money away from the state, ultimately they increase tax revenues for the state and local municipality by making these buildings economically viable and increasing property values. Businesses located in rehabbed buildings (often locally owned businesses) also generate increased sales tax revenue. These are benefits that recur year after year. Tax credit projects that provide housing, often provide affordable housing. Tax credits are often enough of an incentive that without them projects simply would not occur or would not be feasible Tax credits also help increase employment/payrolls by employing construction workers, craftsmen, etc. in the rehab project. It is important to note too that generally the work required for these types of projects is more labor intensive, it requires the work of specialized LOCAL craftspeople. Thus, when compared with new construction, more money is generally going to local people than to materials from China. Successful tax credit projects spur economic development and encourage other projects in the immediate area. According to the National Trust for Historic Preservation: Rhode Island's recent investment of $1 in historic preservation tax credit leverages $5.35 in total economic output. The direct construction employment generated by historic rehabilitation tax credit projects over a two year period was 5,334 jobs. The skilled labor that is needed for a rehabilitation project is often found locally. When jobs are created for local electricians, carpenters, painters, etc., they, in turn, will be spending their earnings locally. Local stores will see the benefits as well as the county government, which will benefit from the increased tax revenue. According to a recent report by the Abell Foundation, over $1.24 billion in total rehabilitation spending by owners and developers of both commercial and residential properties was assisted by approximately $255.5 million in state tax credits. That is a fourfold return on the state's investment. An effective state historic preservation tax credit will increase the use of the federal rehabilitation tax credit, bringing more federal dollars into the state. During the 5-year period preceding enactment of the Maryland historic tax credit program (1996-2001), Rhode Island attracted less than $10 million in federal historic tax credit investment. For the 5-year period (2002-2007) since enactment of their state rehabilitation tax credit, more than $78 million dollars in federal historic tax credits have been awarded to Rhode Island projects - an increase of more than 700 percent. This echoes Missouri's experience, where the number of projects using federal rehabilitation tax credits doubled after the introduction of the state credit. New York's Historic Preservation Tax Credits have been in place less than two years. To cut them now, when they are on the brink having exceptionally beneficial effects, is an economic debacle. Rochester's own economic future depends upon these tax credits, and as reported in the . . The above economic facts are indisputable. It's time for Rochester's citizens to make their voices heard on the matter. Please follow the link below to contact your legislators. A sample letter is outlined for you, as is a brief explanation. Once entered, your address will map out your local and regional legislators that will be emailed. This takes less than a minute and is vital for the continued economic benefit of Historic Preservation Tax Credits and all that they make happen in the State of New York. We need your help today. The Take Action button is at the bottom of this link. So please click here to make your voice heard now.
The Landmark Society of Western New York Announces its Search for an Executive Director Landmark Society President Henry Williams has announced the appointment of a Search Committee to identify candidates for the position of Executive Director. Elizabeth Teall chairs this committee of Landmark Society Trustees that includes former Landmark Society presidents Susan Crego and Jerry Ludwig and current Trustees Mary Nicosia, Mimi Tilton, Hugh Hamlin and Andy Germanow. During the search process, the Landmark Society is being ably led by Interim Executive Director David Whitaker. The Landmark Society was founded in 1937 by a group of volunteers dedicated to preserving the architectural and cultural heritage of Rochester and Monroe County. Its reach expanded to nine surrounding counties and its professionalism grew through the leadership of Executive Directors Billie Harrington, Henry McCartney and Joanne Arany. Landmark is one of the oldest and most prestigious preservation organizations in the country, with a strong cadre of volunteers and a dedicated staff of 17. Candidates for the Executive Director position shall have demonstrated leadership in community advocacy and have a substantial professional record of organizational management and financial development. Candidates should have at minimum a baccalaureate degree. Strong communication and supervisory skills are essential. Applications with supporting resumes and salary expectations should be submitted by September 1, 2010, to Landmark Society Search Committee c/o Elizabeth Teall 142 East Parkway Rochester, New York 14617 Selection is expected by October 15. A complete description of the responsibilities of the position is available here.
Tour with The Landmark Society and watch history come alive We have many outstanding adventures planned for 2010. Whether it be for the day or for an extended motor coach journey, we welcome you to join us on one or more of our superb tours. The breathtaking vistas of the Hudson River Valley (Lyndhurst is pictured at left) ... the Frank Lloyd Wright heritage of Buffalo ... even the incredible treasures found in our own back yard here in Rochester...Our tours are full of history, architecture, education and plenty of fun, and led by some of the warmest and friendliest staff around. Come travel with Landmark! We take many exciting journeys each year to destinations near and far, and we challenge you to find a more diverse, exciting and educational outing for your money. Please click here for a full listing of dates and registration information, or call (585) 546-7029 x11 for more information.
Support The Landmark Society Annual Fund Help The Landmark Society share history, build communities, and shape lives. For more on the Annual Fund, and how your dollars will be used to directly impact the communities in which you live, work and play, please click here.
Questions on this website? Of course you have. And who wouldn't? Well, we can tell you that the web boffins are hard at work on the new site, which we will launch, at lunch, on Wednesday, September 15th of this year. No foolin'. Seriously. It'll knock your eye out. You'll be able to actually hear your retinas detaching. Stay tuned. For encouragement and life advice, email the webmaster: webmaster