Putting Preservation Policy on the Map
Flying Fish, Rotting Pipes
Seattleites approve by a wide margin a $73 million, six-year initiative to fund structural improvements to their iconic market. Learn More
A Green Investment
From shorelines to urban creeks, San Francisco Bay Area voters overwhelming support a district bond measure to raise $500 million for East Bay parks. Learn More
Deep In Their Heart
Randall County gets behind Lone Star State heritage by authorizing tax dollars for the restoration of the 1909 Randall County Courthouse. Learn More
The End of "Planning by Surprise"
New Orleans residents decide by a narrow margin to amend the city's Home Rule Charter to give their upcoming master plan the force of law. Learn More
The Minnesota They Love
Minnesotans approve a proposed constitutional amendment to provide dedicated funding for natural resources and arts through a sales tax increase. Learn More
Row Houses & Reform
San Franciscans choose to reform their city's planning process for landmark buildings by establishing a dedicated Historic Preservation Commission. Learn More
Did You Vote for Preservation?
Explore our new policy map to learn about interesting preservation-related ballot initiatives around the country.
Election Day isn't just for choosing mayors, governors, senators and presidents.
Next time you go behind the curtain to exercise your right, consider how many of your local and state ballot measures have implications for historic preservation. From propositions to build a new municipal building (which may mean an older, more historic one is getting left behind) to initiatives to impose a sales tax on purchases over $100 (what exactly will that money fund?), your vote might directly or indirectly affect our mission to protect the places that matter most to us.
Explore our new preservation policy map to see examples from this past Election Day. Simply check off the public policies field and hit search.
Model Policy Series
Our preservation policy map will also be used to spotlight one successful state or local model policy a month. Stay tuned as we explore the programs and ordinances that are making the biggest impact for preservation efforts across the country.
Model Policy #1: Los Angeles Adaptive Reuse Ordinance
Passed in 1999, this ordinance facilitates conversion of underutilized older and historic commercial and industrial structures to residential/hotel units by streamlining permitting processes and providing flexibility in zoning and building code requirements.
Model Policy #2: Connecticut Community Investment Act
Passed in 2005, this legislation calls for the collection of a recording fee for all municipal land records. Though threatened today by budget cuts, the act has leveraged approximately $5 million for historic preservation projects throughout the state.
Model Policy #3: Missouri State Rehabilitation Tax Credit
In total, 29 states offer some form of tax credit for rehabilitating older buildings, and for good reason – these incentives are absolutely critical to preserving local heritage. As one of the first states to enact such a program, Missouri continues to lead the way with its rehabilitation policy.
What's on Your Ballot?
Launched on the heels of Election Day 2008, our preservation policy map is a work in progress. We invite you to be our eyes and ears by submitting information about preservation-related measures on the ballot in your town, county and state.
Submitted by Dr. John at: April 27, 2009
For more on the EPA's disregard for historic preservation laws go to www.wolfcreekarcheology.com/EPA%20Disaster.htm
Submitted by Dr. John at: April 27, 2009
The EPA does a lot of toxic cleanup projects around the U.S., but few realize that they ignore the National Historic Preservation Act during these projects. This means that hundreds of historic and prehistoric resources are destroyed each year by these projects. Please write congress!
Submitted by Mike Koertje at: November 23, 2008
I am a member of the Louisville Historic Preservation Commission. This Election Day, the voters of Louisville, Colorado, approved a 1/8% sales tax to fund historic preservation. We believe this is fairly unique. I have been in contact with Jennifer Buddenborg of the NTHP Mountains & Plains Office in Denver regarding this. Please feel free to contact me at KOERTJE@msn.com for more details.