2019 Legislative Agenda:
A Legislative Call to Action

Oregon’s system for protecting and revitalizing its historic buildings and districts is considered “worst practice” in the U.S.  Restore Oregon is championing two bills sponsored by the Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee, chaired by Senator Michael Dembrow, to fix that.  
Because of an innocuous-sounding, but devastatingly dysfunctional, law referred to as ‘owner consent’ a community has little or no voice in deciding what places deserve to be designated as historic and protected from demolition. (Learn more about owner consent.)
And because we’re one of the few states without a Historic Tax Credit to offset the costs of seismic retrofitting and code upgrades, thousands of historic buildings are at risk because the cost of rehabing and repurposing them is out of reach – especially in rural communities.  (Read more about the economic and cultural benefits of State Historic Tax Credits here.)

Two Bills to Cure What Ails Preservation in Oregon

SB927 will fix Oregon’s broken preservation policy.  
The Public Participation in Preservation Act would bring Oregon in line with the rest of the U.S.  It will make preservation in Oregon more equitable, flexible, relevant, and community-centered.
While retaining pre-existing historic protections, the bill would uncouple Oregon’s dependence on the National Register as the basis for protections – which can be costly and confusing – and would base protection on local historic designation.  Nominations could come from the property owner or community stakeholders. It would be based on objective critria and reflect community values and land use goals.
The result?

  • Less demolition/landfill/contamination = greater environmental sustainability.
  • More retention & restoration = less displacement; retained cultural history; greater affordability.
  • Greater equity and engagement = better balance of public benefits, private property rights, economic development, and community goals.

Learn more

 
SB929 will provide a “rehab rebate” to offset restoration and seismic costs.
The Preservation, Housing, and Seismic Safety Act would provide a 25%  rebate on qualified rehabilitation costs for historic buildings, and 35% for seismic upgrades.
It prioritizes projects that retain or create housing.  It also ensures that at least 30% of the funds go to small and rural projects.
The Rehab Rebates would come from a preservation fund created by the auctioning of state income tax credits.   The fund would be capped at a set amount each bienium.
The result?

  • Less demolition – more of Oregon’s cultural heritage is saved for future generations.
  • More housing – to help fill the deficit of supply across the state.
  • Improved seismic safety – lives, livelihoods, and our cultural heritage is protected.
  • Needed economic development – jobs, new businesses, and tourism will be attracted to vibrant, historic places.

Learn more

 
You can help….take action today!