Ohio’s push to keep older buildings in service is sending fresh dollars into Columbus, where several well-known properties landed historic preservation tax credits aimed at rehabilitation and upgrades.
According to the state, two historic Downtown commercial buildings, along with Franklin Park Conservatory and the Great Southern Hotel and Theatre, are among the latest Columbus recipients in the Ohio Historic Preservation Tax Credit program. This round totals more than $86 million in awards.
The state described the current awards as the program’s 36th round of funding. Officials also say the program has been projected to leverage almost $11 billion in private development funding and federal tax credits directly through 742 projects. Those projects target the rehabilitation of 997 historic buildings across 96 Ohio communities.
For contractors working in and around historic properties, tax credit work puts a spotlight on the building’s existing fabric and how upgrades fit into it. Exterior envelope scope, interior improvements, and long-term durability all live under the same roof. When brick, block, or stone assemblies are part of the building, details like mortar joints, water management, and repair sequencing move from “nice to have” to core job planning.
On jobs tied to preservation incentives, expect tighter coordination between owners, designers, and trades. Estimating and scheduling need room for documentation, review steps, and careful field decisions that protect historic materials while still meeting the project’s performance goals.
Read the full, original article from The Columbus Dispatch here.