Buena Vista looks to state
for historic district status
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| This Buena Vista intersection respresents a portion of the proposed historical district. (MICHAEL WHITE/The Rockbridge Report) |
In an effort to boost business and attract new life to its downtown, Buena Vista has applied to Virginia’s Department of Historic Resources to create a certified historic district.
Tim Reamer, the city’s director of economic development, proposed the idea as part of a three-year strategic plan he drafted at the beginning of his term in 2007. Reamer says the project could also mean significant tax breaks for participating businesses and homeowners.
“The whole intent of this project is to encourage quality rehabilitation and business growth through the incentives offered by the certification,” he said.
Reamer’s office began planning a major rehabilitation project for the city last summer and decided to work toward certification at the same time. The state decision on certification could be released as early as next week.
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| This map of Buena Vista shows the designated location of the proposed district. The district, shaded in pruple, will span from 19th sStreet to 23rd Street. (Courtesy of Google Maps) |
If the city’s proposal wins state approval, the proposed district will include 75 buildings running from 19th Street to 23rd Street and along Sycamore and Beech avenues. Reamer’s office would begin drawing up definitive plans for the district, which he said he hopes would be ready by the end of 2009.
Among benefits for both homeowners and businesses would be tax credits under Virginia’s Rehabilitation Tax Credit program, which Reamer emphasized as one of the city’s primary reasons for creating the district.
The program, which gives dollar-for-dollar income tax credits on rehabilitation expenses, can cover up to 45 percent of project costs. For businesses entering the area, said Reamer, that could total six-figure tax breaks.
The tax program has spurred more than $316 million in private investments since the program was enacted statewide in 1997.
Landmark Preservation Associates in Lexington drew up the district’s preliminary proposal, which has already been approved on the regional level. The firm is optimistic about the project’s approval on the state level.
“I think we have a lot of reason to expect this proposal to pass the board’s examination,” said Dan Pezzoni, a principal in the Lexington-based firm. He cited a steady base of qualifying homes in the area and the regional approval of the project as positive signs.
Reamer said that property owners wishing to relocate to downtown Buena Vista would have the option of whether or not to follow historical building standards, with no pressure from the city, as would already established homes and businesses within the district.
Reamer sees the program as an incentive and not a restriction.
“We don’t want to force anyone to do anything they don’ t want to do,” he said. “If they don’t want to follow the building codes to get the breaks, and they’d rather pretend the plan doesn’t exist, they can do that, too.”
Produced by
Washington and Lee
journalism students.
Lead Supervisors:
Prof. Brian
Richardson
Prof. Indira Somani
Editing supervisor:
Prof. Lisa Tracy
Technical supervisor: Michael Todd