Preserve and protect

The preservation of the state's historic buildings is a source of pride for Vermonters, but it only happens with hard work and some gentle prodding.

In Burlington, preservationists are urging owners of historic properties to take advantage of incentives such as low-interest loans and tax credits when they restore their buildings.

They're asking owners to do their best to preserve the city's history and neighborhoods for future generations.

Preservation Burlington, a nonprofit group, is working with the Chittenden Bank to make the low-interest loans available for the restoration of historic residential and commercial properties within the city of Burlington. The properties must be at least 50 years old, and the exterior restorations must replace in-kind or repair the original material.

Unlike in many states, Vermont's preservationists tend to have a positive working relationship with city and state officials, neighborhood groups and businesses with a goal of protecting and enhancing historic resources.

This co-operation has served the state well.

The North Street commercial district neighborhood, for instance, was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1997 due to the combined efforts of Preservation Burlington, the city's community and economic development office and UVM's historic preservation program.

Architecturally, the North Street neighborhood has examples of Gothic, Greek, Queen Anne and Italianate. But it is the area's rich history as a center for new immigrants and its contribution to the social development of Burlington that put it on the register.

National register status does not restrict a property owner's ability to alter, manage or dispose of the property nor does it require the owner to maintain or restore the building.

It does, however, provide recognition of a property's historic significance and might allow the owner to receive tax credits for renovations.

There are more than 10,000 buildings in Vermont and 925 in Burlington listed on the national register. There are 30,000 properties listed on the state's register, which is administered by the Vermont Division for Historic Preservation.

Look around Burlington and see impressive examples of historic preservation. A good place to start is Preservation Burlington's award winners this year -- a restored Italianate home at 196 South Willard St. and a Queen Anne-style building at 210 College St.

As the awards committee said, the results are outstanding.
For more information on the loan program, try Preservation Burlington's Web site -- www.preservationburlington.org.