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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Robert Freeman
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House passes Freeman historic preservation program legislation
HARRISBURG, June 25 – State Rep. Robert Freeman, D-Northampton, announced that his legislation to establish the Historic Preservation Incentive Program has passed the House.
The program would offer financial grants to homeowners who renovate their eligible historic properties and provide tax credits for the renovation of commercial historic properties.
"The grants and tax credits provided for in my legislation would be effective tools for preserving and revitalizing Pennsylvania’s vast number of historic properties," Freeman said. "Many of the neighborhoods where these properties exist have been overlooked or succumbed to urban blight over the years. This legislation would give homeowners of historic properties and owners of historic commercial buildings the incentive to restore these significant structures to their former glory. Historic renovation of these properties will enhance their value and help with the overall revitalization of our older urban communities. By revitalizing our historic boroughs and small towns, we make them attractive to new residents and businesses, which provides economic momentum and makes it more likely that we can preserve farmland and open space rather than see it turned into development."
Owners restoring commercial properties would be eligible for tax credits of up to $500,000; homeowners restoring residential properties would be eligible for grants. Under the program, grants would be used to reimburse owners for up to 70 percent of the costs of exterior rehabilitation or restoration work that meets the criteria for historic properties with a maximum reimbursement of $15,000.
For a property to be eligible for a grant, it would have to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places, exist as a contributing property in a National Register historic district, or be located in a local government historic district.
The individual applying for the grant would have to have resided in that property for five years, or if they have lived there for less than five years, they must agree to own it for at least five years total.
The state Department of Community and Economic Development would collaborate with the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission to review applications and provide the grants.
The legislation stipulates that at least 31 percent of the total grant money reserved for the program be used for residential applicants, and that DCED take into consideration the geographical distribution of grant funding when making awards. It also would allow for properties in Elm Street, Main Street, enterprise zones and local government historic districts to be given priority.
The bill (H.B. 42) now goes to the Senate for consideration.
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