Ohio Historic Tax Credit Update
 new rules to follow

The state legislature has approved the expenditure of $120 million for this program in 2010 and 2011; equally divided $60 million for each year with $45 million each year earmarked for projects that were previously approved but not yet funded with the remaining $15 million for new projects. The rules and the application process are still being refined but will give more consideration to economic impact and regional distribution. The new program will have a $5 million cap per project with the first $3 million refundable and the remaining $2 million a credit. Good news in the new version is that there will be a way to recapture unused credits. Two refinements that are anticipated are that applicants do not have to own the property but will receive additional points if they are the owners, and condominiums would be eligible. Stay tuned.

 

 OHPO Updates Five-Year Plan
 six goals reaffirmed

Based upon a state-wide online survey of preservationists, preservation organizations, the general public and all 46 of Ohio's Certified Local Governments, the Ohio Historic Preservation Office has reaffirmed the six goals it established in its 2004 document A Future for Ohio's Past. The goals, which will guide the office's efforts during 2009-2013 are to:

• increase funding for identifying and saving Ohio's historic resources;
• increase Ohioans' awareness and understanding of the state's historic places;
• identify and evaluate historic resources in Ohio and to make them more accessible;
• develop local commitment and involvement with local historical resources;
• improve historic preservation leadership in the state; and
• enhance historic preservation marketing efforts.

 

 State "Preservation Opportunities" Announced
 Heritage Ohio unveils annual list

For a second year Heritage Ohio has created a list of deteriorated and underutilized historic buildings in Ohio's communities to promote them as opportunities to revitalize and enrich communities. New this year is that Heritage Ohio is partnering with Durable Restoration Company to provide technical support to these projects. This year's list includes Elk's Lodge-Wapakoneta; Fife & Bosworth commercial building-Wilmington; Bethany Hall-Lebanon; Fairborn Theater-Fairborn; Marsh Hotel-Van Wert; Longwood Manor-Macedonia (pictured above); Eli Kinney House-Portsmouth; Keller Building-Sandusky; Town Hall-Edgerton; and the Seneca County Courthouse-Tiffin.

 

 Theatre Benefit to Honor Rokakises
 find "Hidden Treasure" on 9/13

Jim and Laurie Rokakis will be honored at the Cleveland Public Theatre on September 13. The annual gala, Pandemonium, will feature a variety of entertainment by local theatre, dance, visual, and performance artists on the Cleveland Public Theatre campus, located on Detroit Avenue in Cleveland's Near West Side. Jim, Cuyahoga County Treasurer, was instrumental in launching our Heritage Home Program(SM) in 2001 and Laurie has a long history of community volunteering and advocacy. Tickets are $125 each and are available online.

 

 Easy Access to Cuyahoga County Property Records
 information is only a few clicks away

The Cuyahoga County Engineer's Office now offers a state-of-the-art online mapping and information system free of charge. Among other features, it provides the name of the current property owner, a detailed deed transfer history, an aerial view, and site topographical and building data. Users must register and obtain a password, but they are not required to identify themselves. This should prove useful to historic preservationists doing research on a particular property.

 

 National Award for Lakewood Society
 elementary school program recognized

Lakewood Historical Society and Grant Elementary School have received an Award of Merit for the Lakewood History Project from the American Association for State and Local History. The award honors an ongoing program with 2nd and 3rd graders to create documentaries on Lakewood's history. Now in its 63rd year, the AASLH Leadership in History Awards are considered the most prestigious recognition for achievement in the preservation and interpretation of state and local history. Fifty-seven individuals and organizations across the country were award winners this year. They will be honored at a banquet in Rochester, NY on September 12. Congratulations!

 

 Downtown Photo Challenge
 amateur photo contest now open

Downtown Cleveland Alliance is hosting an amateur photo contest addressing "life and built environment" in downtown Cleveland. Enter up to two photos for an opportunity to win prizes up to $500. A print of the winning photo will be provided by Dodd Camera. All submissions must be received by 11:59 p.m. on August 15.

 

 Assistance in Materials Conservation Available
 organizations can apply for help

The Intermuseum Conservation Association (ICA) has announced its second annual "Subsidized Survey Program" to assist cultural institutions in identifying their preservation needs. The only cost to the institution is travel expenses associated with the on-site visit. An ICA conservator visits the institution to focus on a pre-selected group of artifacts in its collection for up to two days, prepare condition reports and recommend appropriate treatment. Any non-profit cultural institution that is committed to collections care may apply. Applications are due October 31.

 

 In Memoriam: Jack Walter
 past president of the National Trust

Jack Walter, who served as president of the National Trust for Historic Preservation from 1984 to 1992, died suddenly on July 18. During his tenure he is credited with making it a stronger and more effective voice for historic preservation throughout the country. In the words of current Trust president Richard Moe: "All of us who work to keep America's heritage intact and alive are deeply in his debt."

 

 October OHPO Workshops
 five sessions offered on 10/21 in Columbus

The Ohio Historic Preservation Office will be concluding its 2008 Workshops program on October 21 with five offerings:

• I-Form Advanced: Creating and Editing Digital Images for I-Form
• National Register Basics
• National Register Advanced: Levels of Significance and Historic Context
• Section 106 Review Project Summary Form Training Class
• All-New Online Mapping System Training Session

Register online for a session, to be held at the Catering by Design Conference Center in Columbus.

 

 News from the Sarah Benedict House
 

New Trustees
CRS welcomes the following new trustees, continuing a strong tradition of community leadership for the 2008-2009 year:

• Christina Alletto, The Finch Group
• John Anoliefo, Famicos Foundation
• Michael T. Cummins, The Sherwin-Williams Company
• Christopher Ferchill, The Ferchill Group
• Gretchen Gaede, Artist
• Jeff Grant, Intuit Real Estate Solutions
• Craig Miller, Ulmer & Berne LLP
• Mark Ricchiuto, Marous Brothers Construction
• Anthony R. Whitfield, Fairfax Renaissance Development Corporation

A New Neighbor
In July Sutton Hardware moved from its long-standing location on St. Clair Avenue to 3848 Prospect Avenue, just a short walk east of the Sarah Benedict House. The store brings to our area much-needed resources, with a wide-ranging inventory and a knowledgeable staff. We are delighted to have Sutton, a store that has a continuing tradition of the fine service we associate with hardware stores of yesteryear, so handy.

 

 Calendar of Events
 what to do, where to do it, and when to go

August 2
Historic Cemetery Scavenger Cruise
10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., on-site registration available, $
Woodland Cemetery Foundation
Monroe Street Cemetery Foundation
Ohio Cemetery Alliance

August 5
"The Social History of American Architecture" with Jane Blodgett
Heiser Auditorium, 7:15 p.m.
600 Kendal Drive, Oberlin
Oberlin Heritage Center

August 9 - 10
Last Stop Willoughby: Remembering the CP&E
Saturday, 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, 12:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Heart of Willoughby

August 18
Conference on Public-Private efforts for Economic Development, Regionalism & Internationalization
Ritz-Carlton Cleveland Ballroom
7:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., registration required, $$
Commercial Real Estate Women of Cleveland, Inc.

August 21
"The Bluestone Brooks" Walking Tour and Lecture
Cumberland Park and Superior Schoolhouse
6:00 - 8:15 p.m., reservations required, call 216-291-4878
Cleveland Heights Landmark Commission
Cleveland Heights Historical Society
Friends of Dugway Brook

August 28
Ohio Vacant Properties Forum II
Greater Columbus Convention Center
8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., register by 8/5, $$
ReBuild Ohio

September 2 - 7
"Chicago & Twentieth Century Design" Tour
20th Century Society of the Carolina Mountains

September 6 - 7
"Come Home to Lakewood" Tour
Patron Party Saturday, 6:00 - 9:00 p.m., $$$
House Tour Sunday, 1:00 - 6:00 p.m., $$
Lakewood Historical Society, 216-221-7343

September 10
Summit on Restoring Prosperity to Ohio
Columbus Convention Center, registration required
Greater Ohio Policy Center
Brookings Institution Metropolitan Policy Program

 

 Save the Date!
 

September 13
150th Anniversary of the Oberlin-Wellington Rescue
Tappan Square, Oberlin, 9:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Sponsors include Oberlin Heritage Center

September 13
Pandemonium 08 Benefit
7:00 p.m., 6415 Detroit Avenue, Cleveland
Tickets available online, $$$
Cleveland Public Theatre

September 18 - 20
Traditional Building Exhibition and Conference
Chicago, Early registration before 8/5
Restore Media, LLC

September 20 - 21
Tremont Arts & Cultural Festival
Lincoln Park, Cleveland
Saturday, 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Sunday, 12:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Tremont West Development Corporation

September 24 - 26
National Historic Tax Credit Conference
The Blackstone Hotel, Chicago
National Conference of State Historic Preservation Officers

September 25 - 26
Building Doctor Clinic - Burton
Thursday 7:00 - 9:00 p.m., appts on Friday
Registration required
Bond Building, Century Village, Burton
Geauga County Historical Society
Ohio Historic Preservation Office

October 21 - 25
National Preservation Conference
Tulsa, Oklahoma, register online, $$$
National Trust for Historic Preservation