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How Historic Preservation Is Reviving America's Communities

Manuel Butler

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Published in The Past And Future City: How Historic Preservation Is Reviving America S Communities

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Historic preservation is not just about saving old buildings. It's about revitalizing communities, creating jobs, and fostering a sense of place.

The Past and Future City: How Historic Preservation is Reviving America's Communities

4.5 out of 5

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In recent years, historic preservation has become an increasingly important tool for community development. As cities and towns across the country struggle to revitalize their downtowns and neighborhoods, they are turning to historic preservation as a way to attract new residents and businesses, create jobs, and improve the quality of life for their citizens.

The Economic Benefits of Historic Preservation

Historic preservation can have a significant impact on a community's economy. Studies have shown that historic preservation projects can:

Create jobs: Historic preservation projects create jobs in a variety of fields, including construction, architecture, engineering, and tourism.
Increase property values: Historic preservation projects can help to increase property values in the surrounding area.
Boost tourism: Historic preservation projects can attract tourists to a community, which can help to generate revenue for local businesses.

For example, a study by the National Trust for Historic Preservation found that historic preservation projects in the United States generated $40.3 billion in economic activity and supported 750,000 jobs in 2020.

The Social Benefits of Historic Preservation

Historic preservation can also have a positive impact on a community's social fabric. Historic preservation projects can:

Foster a sense of place: Historic preservation projects can help to create a sense of place and identity for a community.
Promote community engagement: Historic preservation projects can help to bring people together and promote community engagement.
Improve quality of life: Historic preservation projects can help to improve the quality of life for residents by providing access to green spaces, recreational opportunities, and cultural amenities.

For example, a study by the University of Pennsylvania found that historic preservation projects in Philadelphia helped to reduce crime rates and improve the overall quality of life for residents.

Historic Preservation in Action

There are many examples of how historic preservation is being used to revitalize communities across the country.

One example is the city of Charleston, South Carolina. Charleston is a historic city with a rich architectural heritage. In recent years, the city has invested heavily in historic preservation, and the results have been impressive. Charleston is now a thriving tourist destination, and its historic downtown is home to a variety of shops, restaurants, and cultural attractions.

Another example is the city of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Pittsburgh was once a major industrial center, but its economy declined in the late 20th century. In recent years, Pittsburgh has reinvented itself as a center for technology and innovation. Historic preservation has played a key role in Pittsburgh's revitalization. The city has restored many of its historic buildings, and these buildings are now home to new businesses and residents.

Historic Preservation Tax Credits

One of the most important tools for historic preservation is the federal historic tax credit program. The historic tax credit program provides tax credits to property owners who rehabilitate historic buildings. These tax credits can cover up to 45% of the cost of rehabilitation. The historic tax credit program has been very successful in encouraging historic preservation projects. In 2020, the historic tax credit program generated $4.7 billion in tax credits and supported the rehabilitation of over 2,000 historic buildings.

Community Engagement

Historic preservation is not just about saving old buildings. It's about engaging with the community and creating a shared vision for the future. Successful historic preservation projects involve the community from the very beginning. Community members should be involved in the planning process, and they should have a say in how their historic buildings are used. By involving the community in historic preservation, we can ensure that these projects are truly responsive to the needs of the people who live there.

Historic preservation is a powerful tool for community revitalization. Historic preservation projects can create jobs, increase property values, boost tourism, foster a sense of place, promote community engagement, and improve quality of life. If you are looking for a way to make a difference in your community, consider supporting historic preservation. By saving our historic buildings, we are investing in our future.

The Past and Future City: How Historic Preservation is Reviving America's Communities

4.5 out of 5