We hope this finds you safe and dry. Preservation Houston’s staff is in the office on a limited basis in Harvey's aftermath, but we are working for you.
Our city is facing significant burdens in recovering from the unprecedented flooding brought by Harvey, and our historic neighborhoods will have their own unique challenges. Preservation Houston will be here to provide professional advice and accurate, timely information about the resources available for the owners of flood-damaged historic properties.
We are in contact with Texas Historical Commission (THC) and will keep you up to date on the state's response. We are also working with Preservation Texas to collect accurate information about recovery resources and have spoken with colleagues at Galveston Historical Foundation and the Preservation Resource Center in New Orleans. If anyone has experience dealing with historic buildings and natural disasters, it's those organizations.
THC's core staff is creating a plan of action to deal with threatened historic resources in a region extending well beyond Houston. We have already been told that the state has very limited emergency funding. Most of the dollars for recovery will come in the form of federal aid. Although there will be some funding available, the bulk of the responsibility for private homes is going to depend on owners' resources, flood insurance and homeowners insurance.
THC has asked Preservation Houston to identify potential National Register historic districts. This is a very important task because FEMA is required to focus its preservation efforts on properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places and properties that are eligible for listing.
The eleven Houston neighborhoods designated as National Register historic districts are named at the end of this message. The city also has many individually listed buildings, including downtown tax credit projects such as the Post-Dispatch Building (Magnolia Hotel) and Union National Bank Building (Hotel ICON), and a number of homes in the Houston Heights Multiple Resource Area.
The state and federal historic preservation tax credits will be available for qualified rehabilitations of privately owned commercial buildings. PH's staff has a great deal of experience advising property owners about the tax credits.
Preservation Houston is your local historic preservation organization. Preservation Houston’s members, volunteers, board and staff are your friends and neighbors. We have shared your experiences in this life-changing event.
Preservation Houston is here for you.
Thank you for your continuing support. Please stay safe.
Deborah Keyser
President
David Bush
Acting Executive Director
Houston neighborhoods designated as National Register Historic Districts:
- Boulevard Oaks
- Broadacres
- Courtlandt Place
- Freedmen’s Town
- Idylwood
- Independence Heights
- Main Street/Market Square
- Near Northside
- Old Sixth Ward
- West 11th Place
- Westmoreland