Heritage Home Program(SM) Announces Major Changes

There are two major changes to the Heritage Home Loan Program for 2012!

Homes with vinyl and aluminum siding are now eligible for a Heritage Home Loan in partner cities. Previously, a house was ineligible for the loan program if it had vinyl or aluminum siding that was not original. By altering the program qualifications, the loan program outreach is increased and promotes the preservation of our housing stock at the basic level by providing assistance in repairs such as a new roof or mechanical systems. The Heritage Home Program(SM) is rooted in the preservation approach to home maintenance. This program qualification change will not deter from our mission.  Maintenance, repair and improvement projects are still required to be historically sensitive and new vinyl products, such as windows and siding, remain unfunded.

The second major change is the interest rate for the City of Cleveland. During 2012, the interest rate will be 1.4% - down from 3.5% (maximum rate). The interest rate on loans outside of the City of Cleveland will remain around 3.5% or below for the moment (we are working on negotiating a reduction there too).

Please email the Heritage Home Program at heritagehomeprogram@clevelandrestoration.org or call us at (216) 426-1000 to learn more about these exciting new changes.

CRS Approaching 40th Anniversary Year

Nearly forty years ago, Maxine Levin, Tom Campbell, and Olive Deany Tabor (pictured here, left to right) met for lunch at the Women's City Club to commiserate about rapid demolition of the city's buildings, and specifically the imminent loss of the Mechanics Block, a commercial building dating from the 1830s located at the southeast corner of Prospect Avenue and Ontario Street. The trio wanted to do something to stop the destruction of our city's architectural legacy. The Cleveland Restoration Society, formerly known as the Downtown Restoration Society, came into being in November 1972, when thirty-four individuals signed on as charter members following a luncheon at the Women's City Club. Soon, CRS will be celebrating our four decades of historic preservation programming in Cleveland and Northeast Ohio. Be on the lookout for special events as we celebrate this milestone!

Round 7 of the Ohio Historic Preservation Tax Credits Announced

On December 22, 2011, preservation professionals, local and statewide elected officials, and developers gathered in Akron for the announcement of the Round 7 awards of the Ohio Historic Preservation Tax Credit program. The owners of the thirteen winning properties will use the combined $14.9 million in tax rebates to help finance rehabilitation work on important historic structures in five communities across Ohio. A variety of historic building types were awarded, including structures that were originally theaters, commercial and apartment buildings, a church complex and a mansion. In order to ensure that the work is sensitive to the historic integrity of the buildings, projects participating in this program must comply with the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation of historic structures. It is only once the project is completed and approved that the tax credit rebate is awarded. (Pictured is 3047 Prospect Avenue, Cleveland, home of Ziska Architects and one of projects receiving a state tax credit in Round 7.) 

A 2011 Cleveland State University study found that $1 million in tax credits generates $8 million in construction spending, $40 million in total economic activity, and nearly 400 jobs. These tax credits, and the projects and economic growth they facilitate, were made possible by the $60 million dollars allotted to the program in the state's 2012-2013 budget.

Local Communities Receive Funding for Downtown Revitalization

Three Northeast Ohio communities have received Community Development Block Grant awards to make improvements to their downtown districts. The grants are from the Comprehensive Downtown Revitalization Building Rehabilitation and Streetscape Program, which is administered by the Ohio Department of Development's Office of Community Development. Oberlin and Wellington in Lorain County and Vermilion in Erie County (pictured here) each received $400,000 to complete improvements to their downtown areas. Click here for more information.

New Exhibit Celebrates the History of Shaker Heights

The Shaker Historical Society has announced its centennial celebration of the City of Shaker Heights with new permanent and rotating exhibits during this year at its museum, located at 16740 South Park Boulevard in Shaker Heights. The society will tell the story of the city's development with a permanent exhibit entitled "The Van Sweringen Legacy: Shaker Heights, The Rapid & Terminal Tower." Additionally, throughout 2012, rotating displays will give glimpses into the suburb's evolution in twenty-five year increments, highlighting details like its architecture, prominent citizens, institutions, and larger context as influenced by the city of Cleveland. The permanent exhibit opens January 17. The museum is open Tuesday through Friday from 2:00 - 5:00 p.m. and Sundays 2:00 - 5:00 p.m. Admission is free for society members and children under 6, $4 for adult non-members, and $2 for children 6-18.

Seneca County Courthouse Update

Demolition of the courthouse has begun. Go to CRS's Facebook page to link to a live webcam stationed across the street from the site.

The dispute over Tiffin's courthouse takes on even more relevancy to Northeast Ohioans when we consider the future of a very similar structure closer to home - the Lorain County Courthouse, pictured here. This historic structure (1881) in the center of Elyria was the topic of debate this past summer when a county commissioner raised the concept of demolishing the building and creating a parking lot on its site. This grand Renaissance Revival style sandstone structure was designed by Elijah E. Myers of Detroit, known primarily as the architect of state capitols but also the architect of the Seneca County Courthouse. Since Lorain County's new courts facility opened across the street to the west of the courthouse several years ago, the historic courthouse is only partially occupied. A complete rehabilitation of this fireproof structure is estimated to cost at least $10 million and the cash-strapped county has no fund set aside for this purpose. Although the building could be rehabilitated using innovative funding sources such as state and federal tax credits, there are no plans at the time for either rehabilitating or demolishing what many consider to be the county's premier architectural landmark.

Office Space Available in MidTown

The historic Sarah Benedict House has a suite available for rent. Share the third floor with prestigious Cleveland nonprofits looking for a roommate. The house is well-located in an established neighborhood with easy access to highways and downtown and ample, free parking. In addition to the fully improved office space, there are meeting rooms on the first floor of the house available for use for free. The garden, open seasonally, can also be reserved for events, and is a wonderful spot for a restful lunch break.  A kitchen is provided for individual use or catering. To arrange a tour and find out more contact Felicia Hall.