Historic Preservation

A community's historic buildings provide a community with a sense of place and a visible link to an area's unique history. Properly managing these properties helps preserve a community's heritage and identity. Communities may institute a preservation ordinance, which serves to protect individual landmarks and/or historic districts. This ordinance typically regulates changes to existing historic buildings and makes sure new buildings blend in with their older neighbors.

One way to administer an historic preservation ordinance, or to simply promote historic preservation, is through an historic preservation design manual. Such a manual would use illustrations and clear language to explain to owners of historic property how to maintain the historic integrity of their properties. Communities may also provide tax incentives to businesses and individuals for the cost of preservation of historic architecture that is privately owned.

Another option to enhance historic preservation in a community is for municipalities to participate in the Certified Local Governments Program, which is administered by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. The Program provides technical assistance to local governments to improve and support local historic preservation programs. After a municipality becomes certified, it is eligible to apply for federal historic preservation funds.