The "why" behind historic preservation + REV's key tools for making it happen

Filed Under Developer, Downtown Birmingham, Front Page, Get Involved, Historic Preservation, Yaysayers

#birmingham #downtown-birmingham #historic-preservation #historic-preservation-easement #historic-preservation-month #saving-places

Historic Preservation Month graph

“Old places are where our lives, memories, and stories began. They connect us to the past, anchor us to the present, and lead us into the future. These places inspire us to create a stronger nation, because they belong to all of us.” – National Trust for Historic Preservation

Happy Historic Preservation Month, Birmingham! Every year in May, this special celebration ushers in an exciting flurry of conversation around one of our favorite topics: Saving places. The Magic City is full of historic treasures (especially our charming City Center), and REV is a longtime advocate for preserving and utilizing these spaces. But if you’re just dipping your toes into the waters of this worthy cause, a crash course might first be in order.

What is historic preservation?

Historic preservation, as defined by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, is identifying, protecting, and enhancing buildings, places, and objects of historical and cultural significance. Government agencies, private entities, and individual citizens are all involved in these efforts. 

Why does it matter?

All communities contain significant pieces of the past – and Birmingham is no exception. These historic elements are responsible for keeping our community’s collective heritage part of its present and maintaining its authenticity. The process of historic preservation helps to ensure that these ties remain strong and these resources remain intact for the enjoyment of future generations.

Can I afford it?

We have heard many people express concerns about older buildings and the perceived cost of rehabilitation. While preservation done properly is not a cheap exercise, neither is new construction. In fact, in today’s market, it is nearly impossible to build new buildings affordably while rehabilitation is within reach. And, most importantly, there are many more financial tools and incentives available for historic rehabilitation. These range from state and Federal historic tax credits, preservation easements, and property tax reductions. If you tear down a historic building, none of those tools are available to you.

Historic Preservation Month Opportunities

Birmingham needs community leaders continually advocating for preservation and holding decision-makers accountable – but the first step on this journey is becoming informed.

The City of Birmingham’s Department of Planning, Engineering, and Permits has put together a robust series of activities to celebrate and spread awareness of Historic Preservation Month. All events listed below begin at 12 p.m. on their respective dates:

Historic Walking Tours 

  • Wednesday, May 15 | Historic Walking Tour of the Civil Rights National Monument & 4th Avenue Historic District (Meet in front of the Four Spirits Statue on the corner of 16th Street North and 6th Avenue North)
  • Wednesday, May 29th | Historic Walking Tour of Avondale Park and 41st Steet (Meet in front of Miss Fancy the Elephant)

Historic Preservation Education Lecture Series 

  • Tuesday, May 14th | Historic Window Rehabilitation with Marvin Windows |Sloss Furnace, West Room
  • Tuesday, May 21st | Historic Alabama Architecture | Sloss Furnace, West Room
  • Thursday, May 23rd | Navigating the City of Birmingham’s Design Review Process: Tips for Realtors | Birmingham City Hall, City Council Chamber, 3rd Floor
  • Tuesday, May 28th | Navigating the City of Birmingham’s Design Review Process: Tips for Contractors | Sloss Furnace, West Room

A key tool for saving places

REV has long championed historic preservation in the Magic City, created Historic Districts, helped create the state historic tax credit and more. From impassioned advocacy to equipping others with the necessary resources for preservation, it’s a cause we consider integral to our mission of creating vibrant commercial districts.

Recently, REV has decided to lean into an old tool but with a new program. REV Birmingham has started a program that can bring financial benefit to owners of historic properties and ensure protection for historic buildings. We have started a program for Historic preservation easements.

A historic preservation easement can be the most effective long-term protection for a landmark or building in private ownership. Owners of historic properties can donate the façade or historic elements of a building to an agency or organization that is a qualified easement holder – like REV! This establishes an easement for the purposes of historic preservation. Most easements are perpetual and bind both current and future owners to protect the historic character and values of the property.

The benefit to a building owner could mean reduced property tax liability. Also, there are financial investment funds that have been created to invest equity in a building with an easement. It is a great tool to raise equity for renovation projects.

Preservation easements currently preserve thousands of historic properties across the United States, ranging from single-family homes to complexes of buildings and nationally significant historic landmarks. We’re excited to dig into this unique and vital tool for retaining Birmingham’s authenticity!

This blog is part one of our 2024 Historic Preservation Month series. To read part two, click here. To read part three, click here.

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