ECONOMIC INCENTIVES FOR FAÇADE RESTORATION WORKSHOP IN TACOMA

South Tacoma loves its classic cars-now the South Tacoma business district is focused on its classic historic buildings.  A restored historic building can provide a neighborhood with glamour, charm, and the added benefits of a revitalized business district.  Between 2000 and 2004 investment in historic rehabilitation projects in Washington State generated $221 million in sales, created jobs, and revitalized historic business districts. On August 6^th, 2011, Historic Tacoma and the South Tacoma Business District Association are hosting a workshop on Economic Incentives for Façade Restoration.  This half-day workshop showcases resources that can assist building and property owners with the rehabilitation process: the brick and mortar of façade restoration, financial incentives from the city's special tax valuation and façade improvement programs, and case studies from property owners that have transformed their buildings. Presentations by local architectural firms including Belay Architecture, BLRB Architects, and Eysaman & Company will showcase before and after images of transformed commercial storefronts, illustrating how buildings that have been altered in the past can have their presence restored.  Historic buildings in South Tacoma's commercial district will provide many of the case studies.  Representatives from the City of Tacoma's Department of Community and Economic Development and the Historic Preservation Office will discuss various financial resources and incentives, including the financial benefits of listing a historic building on Tacoma's Register of Historic Places. Concluding the workshop is a discussion with property owners who have already gone through the rehabilitation process and taken advantage of the historic preservation special tax valuation incentives. The workshop is from 9am-12pm on August 6^th, 2011, at Stonegate Pizza on South Tacoma Way. Attendance is free and participants are welcome to stay after the event for additional discussion and a no-host lunch of Stonegate's fabulous pizza. RSVPs encouraged by August 1 to info@historictacoma.org   Questions? Contact Lauren Perez at (323) 637-9909 or lkp2114@columbia.edu.