According to an article in the Minneapolis Star Tribune on Monday February 18, 2008, the Minneapolis Warehouse District shows “few signs of slowing down, with the area continuing to be a magnet for advertising and creative-services businesses” despite the slowing economy and real estate markets.
“An influx of ad agencies, graphic arts businesses, photo studios and other creative-services providers has driven demad for Warehouse District office space the past couple of years, with the area’s vacancy rate now lower than that of the downtown market overall. At the end of last year, the vacancy rate for office buildings in the Warehouse District - older Class B and C properties - was 10.9 percent, according to figures compiled by Colliers. The vacancy rate for top-tier Class A space downtown was 14.6 percent.”
This article comes as good news for preservationists who are touting the positive benefits of reusing historic buildings.
For the full article, please visit www.startribune.com/business/15685472.html
2008 State Rehabilitation Tax Credit effort begins!
Efforts to pass a Minnesota state rehabilitation tax credit in the 2008 Session have begun. The Preservation Alliance of Minnesota convened the Tax Credit Task Force, comprised of a coalition of partners across the state, on February 8 to assess this year’s advocacy strategy in the face of a projected state budget shortfall. Additional information is needed from our legislative partners in order to develop an effective grassroots lobbying effort. For example, we are awaiting information regarding the legislative priorities at the Senate and House level, in addition to the specific direction of their respective Taxes Committees. In the interim, the Task Force elected to send a letter restating our support for passage of the state tax credit. As the Legislature convened on February 12, the letter was on its way to the chairs and members of the Taxes Committees and past authors and cosponsors of our tax credit bill. Please click on this link to read a copy of our letter: 2008 State Tax Credit Request Letter
Take action!
Tell your legislators that you want the state rehabilitation tax credit passed in 2008. Legislators are more likely to introduce the tax credit and hold hearings on the legislation if they know they have the support of their constituents. We’ve made it easy to send a message to the Capitol. Click on this link for a sample letter of support: 2008 Sample Letter of Support.
Add your own personal touch to our sample letter of support and send this off to your state Senator and Representative. Do you need your legislator’s address? Click on this link to the Minnesota Historical Society’s Capwiz website to access quick and easy contact information: http://capwiz.com/mnhs/issues/alert/?alertid=9722066&type=ML&show_alert=1
TIP: A letter to your legislator gets more attention from their office than an e-mail!
What happened in the last session?
In 2007, the Preservation Alliance of Minnesota led the effort to pass an historic structures rehabilitation tax credit (HF1240 / SF385) at the Minnesota Legislature. The year ended with both good and bad news from the Capitol regarding the credit. The good news was that in the closing minutes of the 2007 Session the Minnesota Legislature passed, within the Omnibus Tax Bill, a significant new historic preservation incentive that would help to preserve historic structures across the state. The legislature provided $3 million for a grant program for the preservation of historic structures. While detailed program criteria needed to be developed, the program’s general eligibility criteria paralleled the federal historic preservation tax credit program. This grant program would have helped to preserve important historic structures in Minnesota and demonstrate the economic impacts of historic preservation in local communities and statewide.
Unfortunately, the bad news was Governor Tim Pawlenty’s veto of the Omnibus Tax Bill in its entirety. Despite this setback, the momentum developed in 2007, broad support amongst legislators, and the success of establishing a preservation incentive program in the Tax Bill will be a sound starting point for the Alliance at the Capitol in 2008.
Features of the proposed Historic Preservation Tax Credit
The Historic Preservation Tax Credit proposed in 2007 would provide a 25% tax credit for qualified historic rehabilitation projects, providing significant economic development benefits statewide, in small towns and large cities alike. More than half of all states, including most of Minnesota’s neighbors, already have similar programs, and we need this incentive to stay competitive. Specifically, the tax credit will:
· Allow an income tax credit of 25% of the amount spent to rehabilitate certified residential and commercial historic structures (locally designated as historic or on the National Register of Historic Places).
· Encourage private investment in historic properties, generate additional jobs and stimulate economic development within existing communities.
· Be used as an effective tool for community revitalization in urban and rural areas.
· Provide incentives to create affordable housing and market-rate housing that stabilizes neighborhoods in areas that are difficult to redevelop.
· Accelerate private investments into “Main Street” businesses and building rehabilitations, bring vacant properties back onto local tax rolls, and bolster heritage tourism efforts.
National Trust For Historic Preservation Names Red Wing, Minnesota To Its 2008 List of America’s Dozen Distinctive Destinations
Perfect Combination of Architectural History and Natural Beauty
Washington, D.C. (February 7, 2008) – Today, the National Trust for Historic Preservation named Red Wing, Minnesota one of its 2008 Dozen Distinctive Destinations. Since 2000, the National Trust for Historic Preservation has annually selected communities across the United States that offer cultural and recreational experiences different from the typical vacation destination. From dynamic downtowns and stunning architecture to cultural diversity and commitments to historic preservation, the selected destinations boast a richness of character and exude an authentic sense of place.
Conveniently located only one hour south of the Twin Cities, Red Wing, Minnesota perfectly combines an impressive architectural history with an enviable natural environment. Historically and architecturally significant buildings dominate the community’s landscape and reflect its mid-19th century beginnings as a riverfront trade point. This treasure trove boasts a total of 25 listings on the National Register of Historic Places while its downtown district retains the majority of the commercial buildings that were constructed during the city’s early boom period of 1860 – 1910.
Red Wing has long been considered a leader in the historic preservation movement in Minnesota, maintaining and rehabilitating a wide range of structures throughout the city. Landmarks include the St. James Hotel, one of the region’s most celebrated hotels and a member of the National Trust Historic Hotels of America, the Sheldon Theatre, a turn-of-the century cultural icon, and the west residential historic district, a neighborhood that retains much of its original character and architectural styles, including Italianate, Queen Anne, Classical Revival and Prairie School.
“This is a city that knows history matters,” said Richard Moe, president of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. “With its historic river charm, Red Wing, Minnesota has sensitively preserved its heritage and natural resources to create a thriving and vital community that has much to offer residents and visitors alike.”
“Preserving Red Wing’s heritage has been a community-wide commitment for generations and continues to this day,” said Red Wing mayor Donna Dummer. “Our mission, driven by residents, businesses and city officials, is to ‘capture the vibrancy of growth while preserving and enhancing the city’s unique historic and natural environmental character.’”
Natural resources abound with Red Wing’s riverfront, majestic bluffs, hiking trails and immaculately preserved city parks. The city’s most famous landmark, Barn Bluff, showcases sweeping views of the area. From the top of the 340-foot bluff, miles of Wisconsin’s and Minnesota’s urban and rural countryside are visible against the backdrop of the Mississippi River. The city is also noted for a 19.7 mile paved bike trail that runs parallel to the Cannon River between Red Wing and Cannon Falls. With overhanging cliffs that allow for extensive views of nature’s seasonal changes, the area is unsurpassed for its beauty and serenity. Red Wing is celebrated for being one of the Top Ten locations in the United States for its spectacular fall foliage.
The 2008 list of America’s Dozen Distinctive Destinations includes:
Aiken, S.C.—Aiken seamlessly balances its varied 19th century heritage with cosmopolitan flair to offer all the necessary ingredients for a great vacation.
Apalachicola, Fla.— Apalachicola, an authentic coastal town renowned for its mouth-watering seafood and singular charm, features a waterfront dotted with fishing vessels, a downtown filled with eclectic shops and streets lined with historic buildings,
Columbus, Miss.—The birthplace of prize-winning playwright, Tennessee Williams, Columbus thrives on its extraordinary mix of Southern history, natural beauty and culture—with antebellum homes spared during the Civil War and historic tours showcasing the remarkable impact of the African American community to a revitalized Main Street that possesses great curb appeal.
Crested Butte, Colo.—One of the most charming vacation destinations in the Rockies, this former coal mining village is a recreational paradise that offers a rare mix of rugged beauty, history and adventure no matter the time of year.
Fort Davis, Texas—With no traffic lights or chain stores, Fort Davis is a gateway to an unspoiled terrain, offering an extraordinary blend of majestic scenery, abundant wildlife and cultural resources that bring to life the history of the 19th century western frontier.
Friday Harbor, Wash.—This small, well-preserved community in the San Juan Island chain is one square mile of perfection—an antidote to city life, ideal for outdoor adventurers, wildlife enthusiasts and history buffs alike.
Portland, Ore.— Boasting both the charm of a small town community and the urban vitality of a big city, Portland, Oregon is a dynamic destination that offers an alluring mix of natural beauty, lively downtown entertainment and landmark historic attractions.
Portsmouth, N.H.—This elegant seaport, the nation’s third oldest city, is one of the most culturally rich destinations in the country with its captivating blend of coastal beauty, historic buildings and lively downtown.
Red Wing, Minn.—Conveniently located one hour south of the Twin Cities, this handsome historic town features a treasure trove of architectural gems dating back to its beginnings as a riverfront trade point as well as an enviable natural environment.
Ste. Genevieve, Mo.—One hour south of St. Louis, Ste. Genevieve is the only French colonial village remaining in the United States, providing an unparalleled glimpse into the pioneer spirit of the early settlers.
San Juan Bautista, Calif.—Known as the “City of History” because of its exceptional collection of Spanish colonial architecture, San Juan Bautista showcases Old California like no other.
Wilmington, N.C.—From riverboats to battleships, grand old mansions to historic museums, splendid gardens to Civil War sites—Wilmington, North Carolina has a charm and style all its own that dates back nearly three centuries.
This is the ninth time the National Trust for Historic Preservation has announced a list of Dozen Distinctive Destinations. To date, there are 108 Distinctive Destinations located in 42 states throughout the country. To see a complete list, visit www.nationaltrust.org\ddd. In each community, residents have taken forceful action to protect their town’s character and sense of place. Whether by enacting a local preservation law to protect historic buildings against demolition, rewriting zoning codes to prevent commercial sprawl, removing regulatory barriers to downtown housing, making downtown areas more walkable, enacting design standards, or taking some other major step that demonstrates a strong commitment to their town, residents have worked hard to preserve the historic and scenic assets of their communities, with rewards that transcend town limits.
To download high resolution images of this year’s Dozen Distinctive Destinations, please visit http://press.nationaltrust.org.
The National Trust for Historic Preservation is a non-profit membership organization bringing people together to protect, enhance and enjoy the places that matter to them. By saving the places where great moments from history – and the important moments of everyday life – took place, the National Trust for Historic Preservation helps revitalize neighborhoods and communities, spark economic development and promote environmental sustainability. With headquarters in Washington, DC, nine regional and field offices, 29 historic sites, and partner organizations in all 50 states, the National Trust for Historic Preservation provides leadership, education, advocacy and resources to a national network of people, organizations and local communities committed to saving places, connecting us to our history and collectively shaping the future of America’s stories. For more information visit www.nationaltrust.org