This just in, from Greater Ohio... these economic incentives are important to historic preservation - perhaps it's not to late to save the dozens of historic buildings in and around the Flats and downtown Cleveland that are currently doomed to demolition by community planners... at least folks seem to care about preservation in Columbus... anyone care here?
Historic preservation tax credit passes Ohio House
Am Sub HB 149 passed [1] the Ohio House with a unanimous vote Tuesday morning, May 16, marking an important victory for Greater Ohio and other groups supporting redevelopment of older communities. It now goes to the Senate where a companion bill, SB 60, has been considered but not passed. The Senate will take up the House version. (Compare [2] the two bills.)
Greater Ohio and Heritage Ohio, a statewide historic preservation network, were instrumental in passage of the bill. "This is a first step in a long series of practical changes to Ohio policy that will support redevelopment of existing communities, protection of Ohio's farmland and greenspace and other tenets of intelligent land use," said Gene Krebs, Greater Ohio's State Director. "Legislation such as HB 149 offers a 'soft solution' to abuse of eminent domain for economic development. It also gives communities a tool to preserve and enhance walkable, family-friendly neighborhoods."
Krebs credited Rep. Chuck Calvert for sponsoring the bill and Rep. Sally Conway Kilbane for moving the bill through committee, as well as Speaker Husted for bringing the bill to the floor before recess.
Links:
[1] http://en.groundspring.org/EmailNow/pub.php?module=URLTracker&cmd=track&j=77380415&u=710088
[2] http://en.groundspring.org/EmailNow/pub.php?module=URLTracker&cmd=track&j=77380415&u=710089