Elmira Downtown Development Wins Preservation Funding

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Owners of buildings like these in Elmira's North Main and West Water Street neighborhoods could be eligible for preservation tax credits if National Register nominations are successful.

ALBANY, NY (11/11/2015)(readMedia)-- The Preservation League of New York State recently announced a Preserve New York grant to Elmira Downtown Development, Inc. (EDD).

The League made a grant of $8,500 to the not-for-profit corporation that manages the city's 52-block Business Improvement District to support the cost of completing historic district nominations for the North Main and West Water Street neighborhoods.

This area of downtown Elmira, although small in scale, has a number of intact buildings that reflect Elmira's late 19th and early 20th century commercial development. The survey project will create a National Register Historic District, enabling property owners to take advantage of New York State Rehabilitation Tax Credits.

Elmira Downtown Development wishes to encourage investment in downtown commercial buildings as well as upper floor residential use. This project represents a new chapter of support for historic preservation in downtown Elmira. Johnson-Schmidt and Associates of Corning will complete the nomination.

"Elmira Downtown is honored to be a recipient of the Preserve New York grant. Preserving the remaining buildings of Elmira's past is important for the City of Elmira's future," said Executive Director Jennifer Herrick. "The efforts of City of Elmira, Elmira Downtown Development, Johnson-Schmidt & Associates, and the property owners plays a significant role in the rehabilitating historic buildings and using the current infrastructure recognizes that history enhances community pride, makes our community more attractive, inspires art, encourages tourism, and is environmentally responsible."

The Preserve New York Grant Program is made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature. "With the announcement of the 2015 awards, the total support provided by Preserve New York since its launch in 1993 is just over $2 million to 320 projects statewide," said Jay DiLorenzo, President of the Preservation League. "Preserve New York has a strong track record of bolstering local preservation efforts and delivering a strong return on investment."

"At its August, 2015 meeting, the Preserve New York grant program panel selected 14 applicants in 11 counties around the state to share $114,990 in funding," said Erin Tobin, the League's Director of Preservation. "As always, the competition for these funds was intense. The Preservation League is delighted to help advance the preservation efforts of Elmira Downtown Development, Inc. with timely funding from Preserve New York."

Organizations and municipalities receiving grant awards in 2015 are: Albany County: City of Albany Department of Development and Planning; Cayuga County: Seward House Museum, Auburn; Chautauqua County: Jamestown Renaissance Corporation; Chemung County: Elmira Downtown Development, Inc. (EDD); Erie County: Landmark Society of Western New York; Monroe County (2): Town of Greece, Department of Development Services; Maplewood Neighborhood Association, Rochester; Montgomery County (2): Montgomery County Department of History and Archives; Village of Palatine Bridge; Niagara County: City of North Tonawanda; Schenectady County: Vale Cemetery Association, Schenectady; Schoharie County: Village of Schoharie; Suffolk County (2): Higher Ground Inter-Cultural & Heritage Associates, Brookhaven; Sylvester Manor Educational Farm, Shelter Island.

For more information on the Preserve New York Grant Program, please call 518-462-5658 x 10 or visit the League's website at www.preservenys.org.