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.

Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

San Antonio and Austin are Fusing Into one Massive Megaregion
The region spanning the two central Texas cities is growing fast, posing challenges for local infrastructure and water supplies.

Since Zion's Shuttles Went Electric “The Smog is Gone”
Visitors to Zion National Park can enjoy the canyon via the nation’s first fully electric park shuttle system.

Trump Distributing DOT Safety Funds at 1/10 Rate of Biden
Funds for Safe Streets and other transportation safety and equity programs are being held up by administrative reviews and conflicts with the Trump administration’s priorities.

German Cities Subsidize Taxis for Women Amid Wave of Violence
Free or low-cost taxi rides can help women navigate cities more safely, but critics say the programs don't address the root causes of violence against women.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
planning NEXT
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie