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.

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.