Despite a veto by Governor Jerry Brown, California’s Assembly Speaker Toni Atkins should keep trying to pass legislation to encourage preservation, says Bay area preservation architect Jerri Holan.
On September 29, 2014, Gov. Jerry Brown vetoed AB 1999, legislation that would have provided state credits to historic preservation projects.
He cited a federal rehabilitation tax credit and lost tax revenue as reasons for his veto, writes Jerry Holan, a Fulbright scholar, author, and Bay Area preservation architect.
However Holan says she hopes that Toni Atkins, speaker of the assembly and author of the bill, brings it back. Holan cites seven benefits of the tax credit:
- provide new employment and construction opportunities,
- increase property values,
- generate more sales tax,
- stimulate heritage tourism,
- reduce building decay,
- create more affordable housing, and
- reduce greenhouse gas emissions because the greenest building is one that’s already built.
She concludes:
AB 1999 was a small step in the right direction. California needs better policy and an Economic Development and Historic Tax Credit would have helped. The Governor needs to be reminded that we not only need good public transportation, we also need smart construction. In fact, rehabilitation is much smarter than fast trains: the buildings are already built.
And please tell Toni Atkins to resubmit AB 1999 again next year – it’s a Bill whose time has come.
FULL STORY: AB 1999 – A Missed Opportunity
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
The state-sanctioned urbicide of Austin
People don’t kill cities. Freeways do.
US to reduce Colorado River water deliveries to Mexico
A new Colorado Treaty amendment reduces Mexico’s Colorado River water allocation by 250,000 acre feet.
5 New England states march closer to 800 megawatt wind energy project
Securing federal approval for the project may be complicated under the Trump administration, which has historically been hostile towards domestic wind power.
Baltimore to break ground on $50 million Transit Priority Project
The project will bring faster bus trips, safer streets and better bike connections to Baltimore.
Airbnb launches $250 million 'last-dollar financing' housing accelerator, makes first investment in Austin
The company will put $6.4 million towards affordable housing development in Texas’ capital.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
Eagle County Government
Harvard University Graduate School of Design
Nashville Planning Department
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello
Journal of the American Planning Association