Historic Preservation in Charlotte & Mecklenburg County

It's Good for Business

It is no secret that the preservation of our historic built environment aesthetically enriches our community and provides the citizens of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County with a greater sense of the past.

Few are aware that historic preservation benefits our community financially as well. The rehabilitation of old buildings:

Increases Mecklenburg County's tax base
Provides skilled jobs
Generates economic development
Rejuvenates fragile neighborhoods
Encourages tourism
Conserves natural resources

Charlotte-Mecklenburg:
Preservation in Action

Contrary to popular belief, designation of a property as an Historic Landmark does not protect it from demolition. Caring owners provide the best protection for our historic sites and structures. For that reason, the Historic Landmarks Commission operates a $1.5 million revolving fund with which it purchases, restores and resells historic landmarks to buyers who will ensure the properties' preservation.

Since its creation as part of a Mecklenburg County bond offering, the Revolving Fund has allowed the Historic Landmarks Commission to restore numerous properties within Mecklenburg County and return a profit while doing so.

The beauty of the Revolving Fund concept is that only one initial investment by Mecklenburg County can be recycled to restore multiple structures across the county. In essence, the Revolving Fund can replenish itself without additional taxpayer expense.

Furthermore, restored landmarks serve to strengthen the local tax base by both increasing the value of the property and by serving as a spur for nearby redevelopment. Inside, you will find a partial list of historic preservation projects in Charlotte and Mecklenburg County that have served to enrich the area culturally as well as financially.

Preservation's Financial Impact

Recognizing the civic and economic value of historic preservation the Federal Government and the State of North Carolina have enacted legislation that provides tax credits for rehabilitation projects. Since the start of the Federal tax incentive program in 1976, historic rehabilitation projects in North Carolina have directly created 7,134 jobs, generated $139 million in household income and $322 million in private investment, and can claim indirectly an additional economic impact of over $386 million.

Preservation's Tax Incentives

The Federal Government, the State of North Carolina and Mecklenburg County all encourage the preservation of our built environment by offering generous tax incentives to those who rehabilitate and preserve historic properties.

Rehabilitation Tax Credits:

Income-Producing Properties
Rehabilitations of income-producing historic properties may qualify for a 20% state tax credit and a 20% federal investment tax credit.

Non-Income Producing Properties
Rehabilitations of non-income producing historic properties (including personal residences) may qualify for a 30% state tax credit.

Preservation Tax Credits:
Owners of designated local historic landmarks in Mecklenburg County may qualify for a 50% property tax deferral.

For further information about the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Historic Landmarks Commission, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Historic Preservation Foundation or Historic Preservation in general, please visit our web site at http://www.cmhpf.org

Historic Landmarks can be archeological sites, such as the Isaac Newton Alexander Grist Mill Ruin on the Myers Park High School Campus, humble mill houses, like the representative Atherton Cotton Mill Mill House on Cleveland Ave. in Dilworth, farms of more than 200 acres, such as Rural Hill Plantation on Neck Road, or skyscrapers like the Johnston Building on South Tryon St. They can even be personal property, i.e., movable objects, such as Streetcar 85 in South End. Historic Landmark designation is not an award. It is a powerful land-use regulatory tool designed to serve the public good by affording the greatest possible protection for properties of individual historic significance.

North Charlotte: New Life for Old Mill Village

After years of decline and neglect the once vigorous mill-based community of North Charlotte thrives again. Designation of North Charlotte as a Historic District in the National Register of Historic Places helped instill investor confidence as well as qualify the district for Rehabilitation Tax Credits. Since the mid-1980s public and private investment in North Charlotte, using the existing historic building stock, have combined to provide quality affordable housing and create a thriving commercial district.

The Hand Pharmacy in North Charlotte

The Charlotte Trolley

Adaptive re-use--it's not just for buildings! Streetcar #85, Charlotte's most famous moving Historic Landmark, was retired with the remainer of the city's streetcar system in 1938. Found neglected and barely recognizable in 1987 Old #85 has been restored to its former glory through the combined efforts of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Historic Landmarks Commission, Charlotte Trolley, Inc. and the community at-large.

Since 1996 #85 has operated along a 1.2 mile track through Dilworth's South End--spurring millions of dollars in restoration and sensitive redevelopment into this fragile and decaying industrial district.

A proposed extension of the trolley line into the center city promises to carry the success of South End along with it - providing an attraction for tourists and convention visitors and creating a focus for pedestrian-scale development.

The Rogers House - A Dilworth Jewel Restored

The Historic Landmarks Commission purchased and restored the W. G. Rogers House, the home of a noted Charlotte architect. Located in Dilworth, the house, erected shortly after 1900, was scheduled to be demolished. It was empty and forlorn. The Commission sold the property, made a small profit, returned the house to the tax rolls, increased its value and the value of property in the neighborhood, and saved an important part of Charlotte history.

This site is designed and maintained by Bruce R. Schulman for the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Historic Landmarks Commission.