Video Transcription: Westcott-University neighborhood on the cusp of becoming a historic district
Marie Achkar: The Westcott-University neighborhood has been a unique part of the Syracuse community for decades. NCC news’ Jonah Weintraub is live from Westcott with details on a big development for the neighborhood.
Jonah Weintraub: Hey Marie. Yeah there could be plenty of change on the horizon for Westcott. The neighborhood is on the verge of being recognized as a historic district, which comes with some perks.
Weintraub: Just over seven years ago, the Preservation Association of Central New York nominated the Westcott-University neighborhood to the national register of historic places. Now, in just a matter of weeks, the neighborhood is having that nomination considered. PACNY president Andrew Roblee explained what qualifies Westcott to earn that classification as a historic district.
Andrew Roblee: “It’s really representative of a number of 19th century and early 20th century architectural styles that really give the neighborhood character and a sense of place.”
Weintraub: But the title of historic district isn’t just for the aesthetic. If Westcott were to be approved, it would also have tangible benefits for the residents.
Roblee: “If property owners so choose, they can also pursue a number of incentives related to preservation. That includes both homeowner and commercial rehabilitation tax credits.”
Weintraub: Those tax credits are intended to help preserve the character of the neighborhood. But they can also be used for homeowner projects so long as convey the area’s historic roots. 30-year Westcott resident Greg Horst thinks these credits would be a win-win for both the homeowners and the ambiance of the neighborhood.
Greg Horst: “It would be very nice to get some financial assistance — it’s always helpful — but I think it also helps gives the neighborhood special designation, which I think is important.”
Weintraub: If Westcott does become a historical district, it would be the largest in Syracuse with 2,500 plus properties. That would also make it the second largest in New York. Reporting live for NCC news, I’m Jonah Weintraub.
SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC NEWS) — More than seven years after the Preservation Association of Central New York first nominated the Westcott-University neighborhood to become historic district, the area may earn that title in coming weeks.
A historic district is “a significant concentration, linkage, or continuity of sites, buildings, structures or objects united historically or aesthetically by plan or physical development,” according to the National Park Service.
For PACNY President Andrew Roblee, that definition perfectly suits Westcott.
“It’s really representative of a number of 19th century and early 20th century architectural styles that really give the neighborhood character and a sense of place,” said Roblee.
But being a historic district is far from just a title. As Roblee explained, the designation would provide property owners (both residential and commercial) with tax credits to preserve their buildings. These credits are intended to help maintain districts’ aesthetic roots, and renovations over $5,000 would receive a 20% state tax credit. The only caveat? 5% of the project must go towards exterior work.
Greg Horst, who has lived in his Westcott home for three decades, believes that the tax credits would make naming the area a historic district a great deal for all parties involved.
“It would be very nice to get some financial assistance — it’s always helpful — but I think it also helps give the neighborhood special designation, which I think is important,” said Horst.
Horst is just one of thousands that could benefit from the neighborhood becoming a historic district. As it stands right now, none of Syracuse’s historic districts have more than 400 properties. Westcott has over 2,500.
In the next couple of weeks, PACNY is planning to reach out to residents around Westcott in hopes that the mission will pick up steam before a crucial meeting with the State Historic Preservation Office on Oct. 30.
For more information regarding the Westcott-University Neighborhood’s push to become a historic district, you can visit here.