Archive for category: POP Articles

Do you own a historic home in the City of Little Falls, NY? Are you planning on making any repairs or improvements? If so, you could be eligible for a NY State tax credit. What is a “tax credit”? Wikipedia defines it as such: A tax credit is a tax incentive that allows certain taxpayers to subtract the amount of the credit they have accrued from the total they owe the state. Another way to think of a tax credit is as a rebate. “The Historic Homeownership Rehabilitation Credit program offers a state income tax credit equal to 20% of qualified rehabilitation expenses associated with the repair, maintenance, and upgrades to historic homes.” This quote is from the State website: https://parks.ny.gov/shpo/tax-credit-programs/ .

So what does that mean and what is eligible? The tax credit is explained above and it is limited to $50,000 (which means you can only spend $250,000 on your project to receive the maximum rebate), but most people don’t have to worry about that limit. The second part of the question, what is eligible, is a more interesting answer. Eligible projects include repairs or replacement in-kind of wood, masonry, interior and exterior finishes, floors and ceilings, plaster, windows, doors, chimneys, interior and exterior stairs, and roofs. Although, they are fairly strict about windows, if you have original windows they will request that you repair them
and add interior or exterior storm windows to retain the historic appearance. That being said, the repairs and the storm windows are eligible expenses. Also, energy efficiency items which include new heating, central air-conditioning, plumbing and fixtures, electrical wiring and fixtures, solar, geothermal and other mechanicals, are also eligible. However, projects such as landscaping, fencing, additions, and garage rehabilitation generally do not qualify. I should mention that in order for any interior or energy-related items to qualify, your project would require that some exterior repairs or replacements be included, such as exterior painting,
siding repair, roof or gutters, etc. This exterior work would need to account for at least 5% of the total project budget submitted. And there is a minimum of $5,000 for the total rehabilitation cost (but you get back $1,000).

The map shows our historic districts. If you are an owner-occupant of a house inside the district, chances are you would be eligible for the credit. Also, houses that are outside the district, that contribute to the architecture of the district, may also be eligible. If you are planning to do work on your house, you should take advantage of this opportunity. I have completed several of these applications for my clients and they have been awarded over $100,000 in total credits over the past few years. It is not difficult to complete or qualify but you do need to get it approved BEFORE you start any work. One last thing, unless you are a
licensed contractor, you cannot “do it yourself” (which is why I haven’t personally taken advantage of it).

Please, if you are at all interested, visit the website above or contact one of Preserve Our Past’s Board Members and save some bucks!

By: David Dardzinski

POP PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST TO HONOR CITY HALL AND LOCK 17 CENTENNIALS

A photography contest honoring the 100^th anniversary of Little Falls’ City Hall and the 1916 completion of an enlarged Lock 17, sponsored by Preserve Our Past, is scheduled for the upcoming 2016 fall season.  Cash prizes will be awarded by local judges who are well known, prize winning photographers themselves. Subject matter will be restricted to two categories; City Hall and Lock 17.  Entries will be accepted in September and winners announced at an exhibition and awards ceremony at Little Falls’ Copper Moose in October. Rules and procedures will be published during the first part of August. Photographers are encouraged to take advantage of summer light to take their shots.

The construction of Little Falls’ majestic City Hall was approved by the public in 1914 with a favorable vote of 738 to 45.  David H. Burrell, Little Falls’ most generous benefactor, offered to contribute $50,000 if the city would match it.  A New York City architect was hired, plans for the building discussed in contentious Common Council meetings, contractors sought, and work begun. Staying on budget was a continuous problem with Mr Burrell contributing an additional   $10,000  to make it possible to continue the project. The building’s cornerstone was laid in October of 1916 with much  fanfare  as described on the front page of local newspapers; speeches, bands, and the burying of a time capsule while the crowd cheered.  City Hall was fully functional by December 1918 with all departments in residence.

The Erie Canal was so popular and economically successful throughout the 19^th and early 20^th century that it  went  through two gradual but dramatic  enlargements  From its original measurement of 4 feet deep and 40 feet wide, it was enlarged during the period of 1836-1862 to  7 feet deep and 70 feet wide. Between 1903 and 1918, the canal took on its present configuration of 120-200 feet wide and 12-14 feet.  The then highest lift lock on the canal was Lock 17 at Little Falls and was finished in 1916, two years before the  Barge Canal, as it was then called,  was reopened to public use. The entire length of the canal was accepted on the National Register of Historic Places in 2014.

Nan Ressue chairperson]Preserve Our Past 315-823-3551
 

MANY LITTLE FALLS STREETS NAMED AFTER LOCAL HEROES
— Nan Ressue, POP Chair

Gansevoort Street is one of the longest and most beautiful streets in Little Falls and takes its unusual name from Colonel Peter Gansevoort who was the young but determined officer in command of Fort Stanwix in August of 1777 when it suffered a ferocious siege mounted by the British and their Mohawk allies.

It was General Herkimer and our local militia who set out to relieve the siege but were ambushed on the way to the fort. When the word was delivered to the British commander that Benedict Arnold and a large relief force was moving west through Mohawk Valley , the three week siege was withdrawn and enemy forces pulled back to Oswego.  The fort never surrendered.   Gansevoort’s success was recognized by the Continental Congress and due honor paid.

Colonel Gansevoort continued his military career by turning Fort Stanwix over to the `1^st New York Regiment, establishing a new  headquarters  at Schuylerville, and was soon leading his soldiers in the Sullivan Expedition of 1779.  . With the downsizing of the New York line in 1781, Gansevoort returned home to  the Albany area to become Brigadier General of the Albany County Militia where he spent the rest of his life involved in military and civic pursuits  This colonial patriot  was truly dedicated to the welfare of his country.