[Source: Jan D'Atri, Arizona Republic] -- Not only are we growing rapidly. We're rapidly growing old. Phoenix, it's believed, now has more residential historical districts than anywhere else in the country, according to the Phoenix Preservation Office. Can you imagine? Not bad for a state that's not particularly known for having a history of history. What's happening all of a sudden? Why the groundswell of interest in historical character? In a word: incentive.As our homes approach the grand old age of 50, many of us are interested in maintaining the special historical qualities of our residences and neighborhoods, and it certainly doesn't hurt to have some healthy state and federal tax credits for doing so. The hallowed ground beneath our homes is rumbling a little with the excitement of residential rehabilitation going on in our state. Or maybe the ground is just settling and finding a historical resting place for future generations.
What makes a home or property historical and what is that worth? How much can you change the home or add to it without destroying the historical value? With May and Historic Preservation Month winding down, here's a list of historical home news you can use.
Financial incentives
There are quite a few financial-incentive programs available to preserve historical homes and places. They include:
- Exterior Rehabilitation Assistance Program.
- Demonstration Project Program.
- Low Income Historic Housing Rehabilitation Program.
- State and Federal Financial Incentives for restoration, maintenance and rehabilitation.
For an overview of Scottsdale programs, click here.
The new old
When you think of Arizona's historical districts, downtown Prescott or Phoenix's Willo District come to mind.
Scottsdale, too, is coming of age. For the first time in the city's history, two neighborhoods have been designated as historical districts: Village Grove Historic District, Oak Street and 66th Place, and Town and Country, Cypress and North 73rd Place.
The next time you're driving through the neighborhoods or heading out for a weekend getaway, keep your eyes out for the changing (or unchanging) landscape of our future.
More good info
Named on the National Trust's Dozen Distinctive Destinations:
- Bisbee (2005)
- Prescott (2006)
- Prescott: Hassayampa Inn
- Scottsdale: Hermosa Inn
- Phoenix: Hotel San Carlos; Royal Palms Resort & Spa
- Wickenburg: Rancho de los Caballeros
ModernPhoenix.Net: This Web site from the Modern Phoenix Neighborhood Network offers photographs, articles, documentation and do-it-yourself ideas on mid-century design, art, architecture, landscape, and the modern lifestyle.
Historical conference: Glendale will host the 4th Annual Arizona Historic Preservation Conference, 24th Annual Governor's Heritage Preservation Honor Awards, and 1st Annual Home & Heritage Fair on June 15-17 at the Glendale Civic Center. Click here for details, or call 602-789-9132.
