The column does not clarify whether the proposed Oak Hill historic district was being nominated to the State and National Registers of Historic Places, or whether the town of Durham's Preservation Commission is considering historic district designation via local ordinance.

The distinction between these two designations is critical, and may make a significant difference in securing public support for either of the proposed actions.

Work on or affecting State and or National Register designated properties requires review by the state Historic Preservation Office only if the proposed project involves state or federal funding. Listing does not impede a private owner's handling of the property in any fashion -- such as maintenance, alteration, sale or even demolition.

A number of structures in Durham are already individually listed on the state and national registers, signifying their architectural, historical or cultural importance to the community, state and nation.

When historic designation is established at the local level via municipal law, it typically offers a greater level of review over historic resources. More than 200 communities throughout New York state offer some form of enhanced protection for locally designated historic resources.

Local enactment of such protections allows a community to decide for itself how to construct an ordinance to protect those resources most important to it. Many communities have found such local protection instrumental in protecting community character and their built history.

Contrary to statements made in Fackler's column, financial and technical assistance is potentially available for property owners within historic districts, as well as for those who own individually designated landmarks.

Financial assistance can take several different forms, from bricks and mortar and consulting grants for nonprofit and municipal property owners, to federal rehabilitation tax credits for income-producing properties. Additionally, support grows in the state Legislature for a state income tax credit for rehabilitation of owner-occupied historic residential structures, which would serve as a first source of funding for repair and rehabilitation of local, state or nationally designated historic homes.

Local and statewide preservation nonprofit organizations, such as Historic Albany Foundation and the Preservation League, exist to provide technical assistance to historic property owners, preservation commissions and municipal governments in order to make stewardship of historic resources at the individual or community level an easier endeavor. Durham's historic resources are well worth the effort.

ERIN TOBIN BEARDEN
Director of Technical Services
Historic Albany Foundation

DANIEL MACKAY
Director of Public Policy
Preservation League of NYS
Albany