Low-Interest Home Rehab Loans
 excellent terms for borrowers

Prices of houses in the Cleveland-Elyria-Mentor area appear to have stabilized and improved slightly since last year, in sharp contrast to many other portions of the country, according to the Plain Dealer (October 29). This is encouraging news for those in our region who are seeking to improve their properties, and provides a great opportunity for us to remind homeowners about our low-interest loans, available in many communities of Cuyahoga and Summit Counties. Currently our Heritage Home Program(SM) loan rate is 3.5%, while our Neighborhood Historic Preservation loan rate is 1.4%. Many types of projects qualify. Find out if you are eligible by calling John Paul at 216-426- 3116 today!

 

 Recent Federal Action
 charitable giving, energy conservation and tourism targeted

Charitable Giving Provisions Enacted
A number of charitable giving provisions, including restoration and extension of the IRA Charitable Rollover through the end of 2009, were enacted as part of legislation designed to address the current financial crisis. The Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, as it is called, was signed into law on October 3. Consult your financial advisor for more information.

Commercial Building Tax Deduction Extended to 2013
The Energy Efficient Commercial Buildings Tax Deduction will now be available to architects, building owners and developers for the next four years, according to AIA's Washington Report.

House Passes Travel Promotion Act
A bill aimed at increasing travel to this country from overseas was passed by the House on September 25. H.R. 3232 and S. 1661 would set up a public-private partnership to promote tourist, business and scholarly travel to the United States, which has declined in the past several years.

 

 Call for Proposals
 2009 National Preservation Conference

The 2008 National Preservation Conference has only recently wrapped up in Tulsa, but it's already time to start planning for next year in Nashville! The call for proposals for education and field sessions, affinity events, and posters has gone out, and the website is up and running. Proposals are due no later than January 16, 2009.

 

 2008 Midwest Preservation Highlights
 includes mention of CRS activities

The National Trust for Historic Preservation's Midwest Office (MWO) has produced a Year-End Summary highlighting accomplishments for 2008. Of particular interest is an article on the successful efforts to sustain the Ohio Historic Tax Credits program through 2011. CRS is also mentioned in the summary as a recipient of a Partners in the Field challenge grant. The MWO serves eight states including Ohio.

 

 State Tax Credit Awards Announced
 48 projects receive credits

On October 16 Lieutenant Governor Lee Fisher announced awards of Ohio Historic Preservation Tax Credits valued at a total of $77 million to 48 owners - 22 in FY2010 and 26 in FY2011. It is estimated that the credits will leverage more than $464 million in investment. This latest round includes 4 projects in Akron, 1project in Elyria, and 14 projects in Cleveland (including the Cleveland Club/Tudor Arms, built on Carnegie Avenue in 1929, pictured here).

 

 Cleveland Design Review Changes
 fewer, but larger, districts proposed

As a result of Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson's 2007 Operational Efficiency Task Force on Design Review, the City Planning Commission is implementing recommendations aimed at making the City's design review process more effective. One recommendation under investigation is a reduction of the current 19 districts to somewhere around 6, each of which would be larger in scale. Standardization of review guidelines and training opportunities are also being considered. Other recommendations regarding clarification of communications and an easier building permit process have already been implemented. The final changes are expected to be in place next spring.

 

 West Side Market Recognized
 national acclaim for local landmark

Cleveland's West Side Market has just been designated one of the "10 Great Public Spaces in America" by the American Planning Association. The Neo-Classical market, in Cleveland's Ohio City neighborhood, was designed by Hubbell & Benes and dedicated in 1912. Designated a National Historic Landmark in 1973, the West Side Market has been a destination for generations of Northeast Ohioans.

 

 Beyond Foreclosure Online
 CSU's continuing series

View some of the materials from the first forum from the "Beyond Foreclosure" series, held on September 25 at Cleveland State University's Levin College of Urban Affairs. Available for download are the PowerPoint presentations of the participants as well as the audio of the event.

 

 CityProwl Cleveland eNewsletter
 sign up online

We are glad to see that CityProwl is again offering its informative email newsletter, The CityProwler, with articles of interest for "urban explorers". Launched in July 2006, CityProwl uses current personal communications technology to create audio walking tours. There are currently five downtown Cleveland tours, with three tours of historic neighborhoods soon to be available. CityProwl makes it easy to pop in some earbuds and learn more about Cleveland's culture, history, and architecture. Sign up today!

 

 Cudell Improvement Moves to New Home
 open house held 10/15

Cudell Improvement, Inc., a neighborhood-based organization that has served Cleveland's Cudell/Edgewater area since 1974, is now at home in the former Southwestern Savings & Loan Building at 9821 Lorain Avenue. The building, located in the Lorain Station Historic District, was improved recently with a $400,000 rehab. The project included a historically correct restoration of the building's Lorain Avenue façade as well as restoration of original interior features. Congratulations to Anita Brindza, executive director, and the entire Cudell Improvement staff!

 

 Oberlin Main Street is Award Finalist
 up for award from national Main Street Center

Heritage Ohio recently announced that Oberlin Main Street is a finalist for the 2009 Great American Main Street Awards. The awards recognize exceptional accomplishments in revitalizing America's historic and traditional main street commercial districts and will be presented at the National Main Street Conference in Chicago on March 1, 2009. If Oberlin receives the award, it will join Main Street Wooster (1996) and Mansfield Main Street (2001) in receiving this prestigious honor.

 

 FutureHeights Online Auction Open
 bidding ends 11/9

There is still time to bid on one or more of the 150 terrific items in the 2008 online auction sponsored by FutureHeights. Many of the starting bids have been lowered and all items will sell to the highest bidder on Sunday, November 9. The auction raises funds to support Future Heights' activities in Cleveland Heights.

 

 Fairmount House Update
 historic home still available

The gorgeous, Philip Small designed mansion at 2900 Fairmount Blvd. is available for sale once again. Sold after auction on October 19, the prospective buyer was unable to complete the purchase. Currently the auctioneers/realtors are soliciting any and all offers. For information contact Michael Fergus at 440-221-7502.

 

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

November 6 - 7
Ohio Preservation Conference
Ohio Historical Center, Columbus, $$$
Preservation Ohio

November 6
Columbus Landmarks Awards Program
Featuring Kathleen H. Crowther, 5:30 pm
Broad Street Presbyterian Church
760 E. Broad St., Columbus, $$
Columbus Landmarks Foundation, 614-221-4508

November 6
"Regional Cooperation: An Agenda to Share"
Featuring Chris Warren, 7:00 - 9:00 pm
Trinity Commons, 2230 Euclid Ave., Cleveland
League of Women Voters Cuyahoga Area

November 6
How to "Green" Your Older Home Workshop
Featuring Sara Hobbs, Cleveland Restoration Society
Oberlin Public Library, 65 S. Main, 7:00 pm
Cleveland Restoration Society
Oberlin Heritage Center
City of Oberlin Historic Preservation Commission
Lorain County Preservation Network


November 13 - 14
Main Street Networking and Training
Cambridge, OH, register by 11/10
Heritage Ohio

November 13
Why Preservation?
Featuring Sara Hobbs, Cleveland Restoration Society
Lakewood Public Library, 7:00 pm
Main Auditorium
Lakewood Historical Society

November 16
Hard Hat Tour: Lake County History & Heritage Center
415 Riverside Drive, Painesville Township, 2:00 pm
RSVP by 11/13 to Sara von Koschembahr, 216-280- 6293
Western Reserve Architectural Historians

November 17
Ohio's Historic Theater Workshop
Pemberville, Ohio, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm, $
Heritage Ohio

November 19
"The Amherst Sandstone Story: A Geologic Perspective"
Lecture by Dr. Charles E. Herdendorf, 7:30 pm
Amherst Sandstone Village Chapel, 735 Milan Ave.
Amherst Historical Society

December 2
Let's Look at Oberlin Landmarks!
Kendal at Oberlin, 7:15 pm
Heiser Auditorium, 600 Kendal Dr.
Oberlin Heritage Center
City of Oberlin Historic Preservation Commission

December 6
Christmas Bus Tour
Begins in Canton with breakfast at 7:00 am, $$
Canton Preservation Society, 330-452-9341

 

 Save the Date!
 

December 9
Section 106 Project Summary Form Training Class
State Library of Ohio ,1:00 - 3:00 pm
274 E. First Ave., Columbus, $$
Ohio Historic Preservation Office

December 11
36th Annual Community Luncheon
Wyndham Cleveland at Playhouse Square
11:30 am - 1:30 pm, $$
Cleveland Restoration Society, 216-426-3103

December 11
"The Greenest Building is Already Built: Sustainability and Historic Preservation"
Featuring Sara Hobbs, Cleveland Restoration Society
Lakewood Public Library, 7:00 pm
Main Auditorium
Lakewood Historical Society