The Irony of January 2nd
There are two events on January 2nd that came about independently, but are somehow linked.
Event # 1
Demolition will begin on Tacoma’s First United Methodist Church. A private demolition service will begin at 8:30 am. The heavy machinery begins working at 10:00. It’s been a long and painful year for this church and everybody involved. Don’t miss Callaghan’s column today.
Link to The News Tribune – Callaghan
Previously on Exit133
Event # 2
New Washington State study shows positive economic impact of historic preservation in Pierce County and Washington State
Media Conference
Date: Tuesday, January 2, 1:00 p.m.
Location: Passages Building lobby, 708 Broadway, Tacoma.
Topic: The Economic Benefits of Historic Preservation in Washington State, a new study released by Washington State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation’s (DAHP).
(Tacoma, WA)- Representatives of participating preservation organizations and a local developer will be available to local media to discuss the study.
The redevelopment of the Passages Building is an excellent example of a project that utilized several of the historic preservation incentive programs discussed in the Washington State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation’s (DAHP) recently released study, “The Economic Benefits of Historic Preservation in Washington State.”
Among the findings- Rehabilitation of historic buildings in Pierce County from 2000 to 2004 annually generated $28.7 million in sales of products and services, supported 325 jobs, and added $11.1 million in wages to the economy. Statewide, rehabilitation of historic structures resulted in annual sales of $221 million, supporting 2,320 jobs producing $87 million in labor income.
“Historic preservation has played a significant role in attracting private capital investment to Tacoma,” said Reuben McKnight. “Over 85 projects have used historic preservation incentives to restore downtown buildings, and public investments in historic buildings such as Union Station have attracted hundreds of millions of dollars more in tourism and private development.”
“Historic preservationists have been looking to do the research and produce the data that supports what we’ve been saying for years: that preservation makes sound economic sense, on top of other benefits,” said Jack Williams, Chair of the Governor’s Advisory Council on Historic Preservation. “It’s also gratifying to learn that the data in Washington is consistent with the trends found in similar studies conducted by other states.”
DAHP is the state agency tasked with identifying and protecting Washington’s cultural heritage. The study results, officially released in November, examined the economic impacts of historic preservation activities statewide, including renovation and rehabilitation of historic properties, the Washington State Main Street Program, heritage tourism, and property values.
“While we are seeing many of the economic benefits of historic preservation occurring in urban areas, it is clear that historic preservation can be an economic revitalization tool in rural areas as well,” said State Historic Preservation Officer and DAHP director Allyson Brooks.
The study focused on two well documented incentive programs: the Federal Historic Tax Credit, a 20 percent credit for “substantial” rehabilitation of an historic structure; and the Washington Special Valuation Program, which allows owners to deduct rehabilitation costs from an historic building’s assessed value once the rehabilitation is complete. Because the study did not include impacts from all private, not-for-profit, and government spending, the findings are considered conservative.
“The actual economic impact of preservation activities is likely far larger than the report suggests,” according to Jennifer Meisner, executive director of the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation, the only statewide historic preservation organization. “We believe not-for-profit programs such as ours, and the work of volunteers and businesses who donate time and materials to preservation projects, add tremendous value to local economies.”
Other findings related to historic rehabilitation activities include:
Owners spent an average of $12.9 million a year on rehabilitation in Pierce County, $83.5 million statewide. A significant portion of rehabilitation spending statewide occurred in Pierce County (15%) and Spokane County (18%), with the majority occurring in King County (62%). Historic preservation is an important employment sector. Preservation generates a similar number of jobs and wages per $1 million spent with the construction, wood products, and food products industries.
Following are other key findings of the study:
Washington State Main Street Program:
The Washington State Main Street Program has helped small communities revitalize commercial districts since 1984. Auburn, Bainbridge Island, Kennewick, Kent, Port Angeles, Port Townsend, Puyallup, Walla Walla, and Wenatchee are certified “Main Street” communities. From 2000 to 2004, the program resulted in:
- $165 million in total sales each year
- Supported 2,625 jobs
- Generated $67 million in wages
Heritage Tourism:
Each year, tens of thousands of state residents and tourists visit designated federal, state, and local historic properties, including pioneer homes, museums, and historic districts, such as Pioneer Square. The study found significant economic impacts from these activities in 2004:
- $630 million in spending by heritage tourists (over $39 million in Pierce County)
- 20,025 jobs supported (1,100 jobs in Pierce County)
- $510 million in wages generated ($26.8 million in Pierce County)
Property Values in Historic Districts:
The study concluded that property values for single-family homes in some designated historic districts rise at a faster rate than homes in undesignated areas. In other districts, property values stay consistent with homes in undesignated areas.
About the City of Tacoma’s Historic Preservation Program:
The Historic Preservation Program is part of the Planning Division, Community and Economic Development Department. The Historic Preservation Office provides support to the Landmarks Preservation Commission, maintains and reviews nominations to Tacoma’s Landmarks Register, reviews applications for changes to historic landmarks, and provides assistance to the public and other government agencies regarding historic preservation issues. There are over 1,300 properties registered as Landmarks and within local historic districts in Tacoma.
Contact:
City of Tacoma Historic Preservation Office:
Reuben McKnight
253-591-5220
Website
About Historic Tacoma:
Historic Tacoma is a private not-for-profit grassroots organization dedicated to preserving Tacoma’s architectural legacy through education and advocacy. Historic Tacoma advocates for the thoughtful preservation and rehabilitation of historic structures, sites, and neighborhoods, while urging policy makers, developers and citizens to consider the value and unique qualities of historic structures.
Contact:
Sharon Winters
253-761-9349
Website
About the Governor’s Advisory Council on Historic Preservation: The Governor’s Advisory Council on Historic Preservation is a nine member board comprised of citizens knowledgeable in Washington’s history, archaeology, and architecture charged with reviewing nominations for listing in the National Register of Historic Places and the Washington Heritage Register.
Members of the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation are appointed by the Governor.
About Department of Archaeology & Historic Preservation:
The Department of Archaeology & Historic Preservation is Washington State’s primary agency with knowledge and expertise in historic preservation. The director, appointed by the governor, is the State Historic Preservation Office, who administers the National Register of Historic Places program in Washington State, maintains the State Inventory of Cultural Resources and fulfills other cultural resource management responsibilities as delegated by Congress and the Legislature.
Contact:
Greg Griffith
360-586-3073
Website
About Washington Trust for Historic Preservation:
The Washington Trust for Historic Preservation is a statewide, tax exempt 501©3 non profit organization founded in 1976 to safeguard Washington’s historic places through advocacy, education, collaboration and stewardship.
Contact:
Chris Moore
206-624-9449
Website
6 comments
M Mofo from the Hood December 18, 2008
Hey! Where do you buy that Ant Farm in the photo? Does that package include a mail-in form to apply for government subsidies?
Man, when I was a kid I would just go out into the garage and find an old glass jar with a lid and put some dirt and grass in it and then pick up ants off the sidewalk and drop ‘em in the jar.
P.S.: Ants are blind.
D Dave L. December 18, 2008
All these places are great, but I’m a loyal regular at Learning Sprout. They do have ant farms, “sea monkeys,” butterfly kits etc. They cover just about every toy category, and the education supplies and science-related kits are upstairs. By the registers they even have vintage-style tricks and gags, like the snapping pack of gum, money machine, disappearing coin, etc. Plus, they have frequent free “Play Days” and send out announcements via email. Plus a free gift on kids’ birthdays if they are on the list. Gift wrapping available. And a great, friendly staff.
I just used a jar, too.
M Mofo from the Hood December 19, 2008
I’ve been workin’ hard all year. I’m goin’ down to Learning Sprout to have a closer look at that Ant Farm. I’ve always wanted a little patch of land and some sharecroppers (what exactly do them ants grow?).
T Thorax O'Tool December 20, 2008
I know what ants build.
They remove sand, thus they build clear beaches. Remember “The Walrus and the Carpenter”?
The Walrus and the Carpenter
Were walking close at hand;
They wept like anything to see
Such quantities of sand:
“If this were only cleared away,”
They said, “it would be grand!”
“If seven maids with seven mops
Swept it for half a year.
Do you suppose,” the Walrus said,
“That they could get it clear?”
“I doubt it,” said the Carpenter,
And shed a bitter tear.
…now imagine if 3,000,000,000 ants swept if for half a year?
…That’s right. A clean beach with no sand. It’s no coincidence that English beaches don’t have much sand.
M Mike H December 21, 2008
Ant farms huh?
Read Sandkings by George R.R. Martin. You’ll never look at an ant farm the same way again. Copy of the short story can be found at:
https://www.jesuitcp.org/facultypages/rornelas/sandkings.pdf
K katie December 22, 2008
Here’s my story. We bought my son a Playmobil set for his birthday this summer at Learning Sprout. Well, he got the same thing from his grandfather. So, we stuck it up in the closet with the intent to return the set. A couple months go by and we take the set back to Learning Sprout. They wouldn’t return it. They have a 30 day return policy and would not even give store credit. This is with a fancy computer system that could tell them the exact day and time we bought the set. This computer system also tells them we are regulars who have spent more than a few dollars in their store. We leave with the set thinking now what. We head up the hill to Teaching Toys in Proctor. I explain our situation; mainly a Playmobil set that we do not need. They not only give us store credit for the set but next time I go back they apologize for not giving us the amount we spent at Learning Sprout (the set was more expensive by about 7 dollars). Talk about customer service. Such different experiences.