Historic Places
Protection will provide these benefits:
-
Opportunities for people to learn more about North Carolina's history and culture
-
Jobs and other economic benefits from heritage tourism
-
Business and economic development through downtown revitalization
-
Protection of scenic places in both rural and urban areas
-
Health benefits from increased walkability of towns and cities
-
Reuse of existing public infrastructure; reducing the cost of public investment in roads, water, sewer, schools etc.
-
Enhanced local government tax base
-
Reduced development pressure on undeveloped land by reuse of existing buildings
-
Reduced consumption of natural resources and energy needed for new construction
Priority Areas for Protection:
Renovation and repair of significant historic properties that are routinely open to the public, including courthouses, schools, auditoriums, State Historic Sites, local government facilities, nonprofit museums, arts facilities, campus landmarks and other similar properties
Improved accessibility for the handicapped in public buildings
Environmental abatement for public buildings
Protection of battlefields and land adjacent to State Historic Sites
Protection of key archeological sites identified by the NCDepartment of Cultural Resources
Capitalization of local and statewide revolving funds that acquire endangered historic properties and resell them with restrictive covenants to private owners
Funding for inventories of historic properties
Protection Techniques:
Properties open to the public on a regular basis are usually purchased and maintained by governments and nonprofit organizations. On historic landscapes such as battlefields around State Historic Sites, easements that allow continued farming or forestry are usually the appropriate technique to use. Depending on the needs of the landowner, such properties and easements can be purchased or donated.
Five-Year Goal:
-
Protection of 3,000 acres of land adjacent to State Historic Sites and at archaeological sites of state significance
-
Substantial renovation of 100 significant historic landmarks routinely open to the public
-
Repairs and improved handicapped accessibility for 250 additional landmarks routinely open to the public
-
Capitalization of local and statewide revolving funds
-
45 architectural inventories and updates.
In 2004, the NC Department of Cultural Resources provided goals and cost estimates for 1) protecting land around State Historic Sites, 2) renovating state-owned and other historic properties, 3) protecting archaeological sites and 4) conducting historic inventories. Preservation NC provided goals for restoration, repair and improved accessibility of historic landmarks and for revolving fund capital needs.
Funding Needed:
$268 million over five years ($53.6 million per year) including:
-
$250 million for restoration and repair of historic landmarks that are open to the public
-
$10 million for land and easement acquisition around State Historic Sites and archeological sites of state significance
-
$5 million for revolving fund capital to buy and resell historic properties for private ownership
-
$3 million for inventories of historic properties
| 
