One of Ohio’s most important historic redevelopment incentives is again available as the state is welcoming applications for the 37th round of Ohio Historic Preservation Tax Credits. A number of Galion buildings are eligible for this incentive.
The Ohio Historic Preservation Tax Credit Program helps property owners and developers rehabilitate qualifying historic buildings, converting underused properties into housing, commercial space, offices, and other productive uses while preserving their historic character. For Galion, buildings are eligible for consideration because they are located within the city’s Design Review District, a process which is a doorway to this and other financial opportunities that can make rehabilitation projects considerably more feasible, as well as access to overall downtown revitalization monies, as is currently being shown in Mansfield, Shelby, Marion, and other cities in north central Ohio Ohio.
Turning Old Buildings Into New Opportunities
The Ohio Department of Development administers the program, which provides state tax credits for qualified rehabilitation expenses. Through its first 36 rounds, the program has helped finance the rehabilitation of 1,032 historic buildings in 95 Ohio communities.
“Historic buildings don’t have to be reminders of what a community once was, they can be part of what it becomes,” said Lydia Mihalik, director of the Ohio Department of Development. “By bringing these properties back to life, we’re creating new opportunities for businesses, strengthening neighborhoods, and preserving an important part of Ohio’s story.” That concept has particular relevance in Ohio communities where historic commercial buildings represent both an architectural legacy and potential space for new investment.
Historic rehabilitation projects frequently involve costs that conventional development does not. Restoring windows, masonry, decorative elements, storefronts, roofs, and other character-defining features can add considerably to a project’s price. Tax credits can help close that financial gap.
Historic Status Matters
Eligibility for the state program depends in part on the historic status of a property. A building must be individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places, contribute to a National Register Historic District, National Park Service Certified Historic District or Certified Local Government historic district, or be designated as a local landmark by a Certified Local Government.
Because Galion is a Certified Local Government, one of 90 in Ohio, a design review or historic preservation ordinance therefore represents something more than protection of historic architecture. For qualifying buildings, participation in the city’s historic preservation framework can help provide access to state and federal rehabilitation incentives, this one and others.
“The Ohio Historic Preservation Tax Credit program is essential to preserving historic buildings throughout Ohio,” State Historic Preservation Officer Diana Welling said. “Along with federal historic tax credits, this program helps preserve communities and their sense of place, allowing them to continue telling stories from Ohio’s history.”
Round 37 Is Underway
The Round 37 process began with a July 31 deadline to request a pre-application meeting with the State Historic Preservation Office. Property owners or developers who completed that step face several additional deadlines during August and September. The next major deadline is Aug. 14 at 4:00 PM, when applicants must submit an Intent to Apply.
The remaining Round 37 schedule is:
- Aug. 14, 4:00 PM: Intent to Apply deadline
- Aug. 14, 5:00 PM: SHPO pre-application meeting deadline
- Aug. 31, 5:00 PM: Historic Documentation Parts 1 and 2 deadline
- Sept. 1 through Dec. 1: SHPO documentation review period
- Sept. 30, 4:00 PM: Application and fee deadline
- Oct. 1 through Dec. 1: Department of Development application review
- By Dec. 31: Awards announced
Applications and additional information about the Historic Preservation Tax Credit Program are available through the Ohio Department of Development at development.ohio.gov/historic.
Owners interested in properties that are not yet appropriately designated may also have another route available. Ohio’s Historic Preservation Pipeline Initiative provides assistance for owners and developers seeking to nominate buildings or districts to the National Register of Historic Places. Information about that program is available at development.ohio.gov/HistoricPipeline.
The tax credit highlights things that can sometimes be overlooked when discussions turn to historic preservation: protecting historic buildings and encouraging economic development are not competing goals. The first can help make the second possible, creating markets that encourage investment.