Preservation: MichaelGioulis.com
Preservation


The purpose of a Historic Resource Survey is to investigate the extant historic built environment of the designated area and determine the extent of remaining historic resources. These resources are subsequently evaluated based on the National Register Criteria for Evaluation to determine the significance and historical context of each of the sites. From this evaluation, decisions concerning National Register eligibility can be made.

For more than 20 years we have been conducting Historic Resource Surveys throughout West Virginia working closely with the appropriate organizations of each county.


The National Register


The National Register is the official Federal list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects, significant in American history, architecture, archeology, engineering, and culture. Significance and integrity are found in four aspects of American history:

· Association with historic events or activities
· Association with important persons
· Distinctive design or physical characteristics
· Potential to provide important information about prehistory or history

Generally, properties must be fifty years of age or more to be considered historic places.

Our firm has been writing and presenting National Register Nominations for over 20 years.

Tax Credits


One of the best tools available for property owners is the Historic Preservation Tax Credit for Rehabilitation. Tax credits can be used to lower the cost of rehabilitating a historic property while providing for the preservation of the property. Basically, the tax credits provide for a 20% credit against corporate or private income tax of the cost of rehabilitation of a historic building. In addition to this federal credit, the State of West Virginia offers a 10% credit on state corporate or private income tax. These credits are reserved for buildings certified as historic and income producing.

The National Park Service, Department of the Interior is responsible for administering and reviewing the Historic Preservation Certification applications. They review the applications to certify the property as historic and to certify that the proposed work complies with accepted historic preservation standards. When the work is completed, they then certify that the work was done according to the application and the building is considered a certified historic rehabilitation. The State Historic Preservation Office is responsible for administering the program for the national Park Service and for administering the state credit program.

Recently, the State of West Virginia approved a Rehabilitation Investment Tax Credit Program for personal residences. This allows for a 20% state income tax credit that is based on the expenses necessary to carry out material rehabilitation of historic private residences.