Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation

January 30, 2015

Randy Simons | Dan Keefe
(518) 486-1868 | news@parks.ny.gov

Blueprint to Guide State Historic Preservation Efforts Gets Federal Approval

Plan Offers Guidance to Localities in Preservation Efforts

The National Park Service approved the state's 2015-2020 Historic Preservation Plan, which is a blueprint for identifying and guiding activities that further preservation efforts at the local, regional and state levels, the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (State Parks) announced today. The plan provides useful information about programs and resources for municipalities and communities to support a variety of preservation and community development efforts, and includes numerous success stories.

"Historic preservation is a collaborative effort that requires a balanced view—one that allows for inevitable changes within our built environment while preserving our heritage for the greater public good," State Parks Commissioner Rose Harvey said. "The 2015-2020 Historic Preservation Plan is a guide to the ways historic preservation can play a role in improving the quality of our communities as well as contributing to economic growth and job creation."

The plan outlines a broad set of goals and objectives that include:

• Expanding preservation efforts across the state by strengthening the practice of preservation; enhancing collaboration to advance preservation; training New Yorkers in preservation trades, skills and crafts; and showcasing preservation contributions.
• Promoting preservation at the local and regional level by integrating preservation into local and regional decision making; and building support for preservation among officials and developers.
• Cultivating pride of place by expanding and diversifying participation in preservation; engaging New Yorkers in historic sites and museums; and capitalizing on heritage tourism opportunities.

The plan highlights preservation success stories in regions across New York, including:

• The rehabilitation of City Pier A, the oldest surviving pier in New York City, as a new riverfront restaurant and public event space;
• Transformation of the formerly vacant Rochester Free Academy into a contemporary commercial and residential complex in downtown Rochester; and
• Extensive exterior revitalization of the Hotel Lafayette, helping to reenergize a busy corner in the center of Buffalo.

Many of the projects are made possible by the use of the federal and state rehabilitation tax credits. In 2013 alone, New York's commercial tax credit projects represented $1.16 billion dollars in private investment.

The plan is available on State Parks' website or by calling 518.268.2162.

New York's Division for Historic Preservation, a division of State Parks, developed the plan with input from government officials, planners and local citizens as well as preservation organizations, preservation consultants, museum professionals and historians.

The Division for Historic Preservation helps communities identify, evaluate, preserve and revitalize their historic, archeological, and cultural resources. The Division works with governments, the public, and educational and not-for-profit organizations to raise historic preservation awareness, to instill in New Yorkers a sense of pride in the state's history and to encourage heritage tourism and community revitalization.

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