Events – Page 9 – Garavaglia Architecture, Inc.

Recap on Partnership to Rehab Historic Buildings Workshop

On March 10, speakers and attendees from Northern California gathered together in Ione, CA for the “Make History – Public-Private Partnerships Rehabilitate Historic Properties” Workshop, presented by California Preservation Foundation.

Speakers included a variety of experts and presented different partnership and case studies. Presenters were Chris Fedukowski, finance expert and Principal of CFC; Garavaglia Architecture, Inc.’s Principal, Michael Garavaglia, a Preservation Architect; Said C. Kordestani, Partner in Farella Braun + Martel Tax Group; and local Bank of Amador President, Wayne Garibaldi. Local city representatives from Jackson and Ione also presented their challenges and successes on this topic. Ione’s own Preston Castle Foundation spoke on their on-going project.

Some tools and processes mentioned in this workshop included:

Facade programs
National Historic Trust Main Street Program
Community Development Block Grant Funds
Zoning Codes & Historic Districts
Heritage Tourism
Design & Financing Process for Historic Preservation Tax Credits
Secretary of Interior Standards, and defining Rehabilitation
Historic Context and Significance
Historic Structure Reports

A good portion of the workshop concentrated on the Federal Rehabilitation Tax Credit, a program administered by the US Department of Interior and the US Department of Treasury. Speakers went over the team members required, critical time periods, and the deal structures necessary for the at-times complex procedure.

Great case studies were presented by David Wilkinson, from Mercy Housing California, a non-profit housing developer; Darlene Mathis from the McCloud River Mercantile Co. & the Mercantile Hotel, and Andrea from Clark’s Corner in Ione. The three perspectives were all different: a professional developer with a social cause, a newly relocated family looking to create a new small town gem, and a highly active community member creating a gathering place for the people of the town, repsectively. However, all of them spurred further development in their areas and encouraging locals to stay in town for services.

For more information on resources for the historic preservation process or funding, please contact us and also visit our resources page.

Workshop on Partnerships to Rehabilitate Historic Buildings

Michael Garavaglia, Principal of Garavaglia Architecture, Inc., will be speaking at a workshop in Ione, CA on how public-private partnerships work in the rehabilitation of historic buildings. A panel of experts from public and private sectors will present an overview of real estate development strategies for historic buildings.

Some key areas covered and opportunities available in this workshop:

There is money available, even in the current economy, to finance rehabilitation projects.
Learn about the process, from envisioning the project through opening day, and how to avoid common mistakes.
Meet panelists who have used these partnerships and resources to make real projects happen.
Meet others in your community who share similar goals, forge new partnerships, and share your knowledge.

Make History: Public-Private Partnerships to Rehabilitate

March 10, 2010
Evalynn Bishop Hall, Howard Park
600 South Church Street
Ione, CA 91030 (Amador County)
9:00 AM — 5:00 PM

In Partnership with City of Ione and Preston Castle Foundation

For more information and registration, visit:
http://californiapreservation.org/PDFs/RE_developmentI.pdf.

Mills Act Passes in Oakland

Oakland City Council voted unanimously to adopt the Mills Act historic property tax abatement as a permanent program. The program had been in a pilot phase for two years only open to residential properties while the City assessed the program. The fully adopted program has been expanded to also include 2 or 3 commercial properties per year.

On December 8, 2009, Oakland City Council voted unanimously to adopt the Mills Act historic property tax abatement as a permanent program. The program had been in a pilot phase for two years only open to residential properties while the City assessed the program. The fully adopted program has been expanded to also include 2 or 3 commercial properties per year. The new legislation allows for larger commercial buildings located in downtown Oakland to be eligible for the program and there is a provision for commercial buildings from other parts of the city if they get special permission from Oakland City Council.

Oakland Heritage Alliance, a local non-profit, lobbied heavily for the program as a way to kick start revitalization and give individual homeowners incentives to become stewards of their historic properties. At least four or five presidents of OHA, and dozens of board members, have worked for years to get this implemented.

Dea Bacchetti, Garavaglia’s Marketing Manager and current President of Oakland Heritage Alliance says: “OHA owes a huge debt of gratitude to JoAnn Pavlinec of the Planning Department and to Betty Marvin of the Cultural Heritage Survey, as well as to Eric Angstadt, Planning Director, for having continued to work on this idea over the past four years. JoAnn and Betty applied for the city’s original National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Johanna Favrot grant that got the pilot program started. It was great to have the Landmarks Board’s ongoing strong support, and the Planning Commission was enthusiastic as well.”

Vice Mayor Ignacio De La Fuente sponsored the legislation and it was supported by the local developers of the Oakland Builders Association, with John Protopappas of Madison Park Financial also putting in a supporting letter. The hope is that in speaking with property owners, realtors, and developers, folks will keep in mind that the best way to keep this program active will be to make sure there are applicants to use it. Spread the word!