Jamestown Renaissance Corp. Secures Preservation Funding

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Owners of buildings like these in the Lakeview Avenue neighborhood may be able to take advantage of rehabilitation tax credits if a National Register nomination is successful.

• Owners of buildings like this in the Lakeview Avenue neighborhood may be able to take advantage of rehabilitation tax credits if a National Register nomination is successful.

ALBANY, NY (11/10/2015)(readMedia)-- The Preservation League of New York State recently announced a Preserve New York grant to a Chautauqua County not-for-profit organization that supports the development and implementation of revitalization strategies in downtown Jamestown.

The League made a grant of $9,090 to the Jamestown Renaissance Corporation (JRC) to complete a National Register District nomination for the Lakeview Avenue neighborhood, which has an intact collection of late 19th and early 20th century homes. These homes were built for the city's wealthy residents with a view of Chautauqua Lake in the distance and many still retain their architectural integrity.

More than two decades ago, Bero Architecture PLLC of Rochester completed an intensive-level survey of the Lakeview homes. This project will revisit the 1993 survey in order to create a National Register Historic District. It will also expand the survey boundaries for the NYS Rehabilitation Tax Credit-eligible community and further the mission of the Jamestown Renaissance Corporation by encouraging investment and homeownership within the city. Bero Architecture will complete the nomination.

"The JRC facilitated the creation of a downtown historic district in 2014, where historic preservation tax credits are already being used by a private developer to transform the old M&T Bank Building into Signature Center. We believe that making homeowner tax credits for historic preservation available in the Lakeview corridor will bolster ongoing efforts by the Lakeview Avenue Community Action Project and the City of Jamestown to strengthen the neighborhood," said Greg Lindquist, JRC executive director. Lindquist noted that property owners on Lakeview Avenue and surrounding streets have been key participants in the JRC's Renaissance Block Challenge, a project to spur reinvestment in properties and community engagement.

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 the Jamestown Renaissance Corporation 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.