Advantages of Forming a Historic District

There are a whole host of reasons to form a historic district. Not only does it put the future of the neighborhood squarely in the hands of the residents that live there, but there are also substantial financial and environmental benefits. Forming a historic district also strengthens the community of a neighborhood and ensures a continued sense of place.

Learn more about the advantages of forming a local historic district in these articles:

The Greenest Building – a documentary

“The greenest building is the one that is already built.” -Carl Elefante, architect.The Greenest Building, a 60-minute documentary, will be shown on Wed. May 29th at 7pm at the Masonic Lodge at 225 W Oak Street. It is sponsored by the Protect Our Old Town Homes group...

How We’ve Used Our Landmark Designation – 618 W. Mountain

There are a number of city and state incentives for residential historic rehabilitation. These are the ones with which I have personal experience.

Historic Districts Are a Legal Way to Protect Neighborhoods

First National Bank at Mountain and College (Image from the CSU Archive - UHCP 2593.) In 1968, the Fort Collins City Council passed a preservation ordinance which marked the first local governmental action intended to protect historic resources during a...

How We’ve Used Our Landmark Designation – 629 W. Mountain

Our house was built in 1905. The Shenks bought it around 1950. I bought I bought it from David Shenk in 1987. While the house was on the market, the owner had the roof replaced, using cedar shingles, as the house originally had. With very minor exceptions, the house...

What’s So Significant About the Loomis Addition?

George Washington never visited the Loomis Addition. It's not the site of a critical discovery that will save humankind. And though we have some grand houses, most are of the middle-class variety. So what's so significant about the Loomis Addition that we would want...

A Historic District Will Help Fort Collins Reach Climate Action Plan Goals

Within a historic district, the contributing properties (which means all of the properties that are considered historic within the district) can't be torn down. They can be restored. They can be given additions that are in keeping with their character. But...

A Historic District Increases Opportunities for Financial Incentives

Forming a historic district in the Loomis Addition could enable as many as 74 property owners to take advantage of financial benefits that they otherwise wouldn’t qualify for.

The primary goal of creating a historic district is to maintain the scale and character of the neighborhood, but it also provides opportunities for income tax credits and interest free loans.

Financial Incentives Helped Us!

In 2013, City Council approved the creation of the Whitcomb Street Historic District. Once the district was formed, property owners were able to take advantage of significant financial incentives from the State. The following is one family's story. Our house was built...

The Financial Benefits of Being in a Historic District

There are numerous benefits to owning property in a historic district, but probably the most popular is the substantial financial benefits that are available to the owners of properties that have been determined to "contribute" to the district. There are one-for-one...