Senior Center Committee Pursuing Historic Status for Tax Credit

The new senior/community center committee this evening will continue its pursuit of a State Historic Building listing for Eckersley Hall, a designation that could mean a 25-percent tax credit for any renovations made to the building.

The former south end elementary school was built in 1928.

Committee members have met with Julie Carmelich and Stacey Vairo from State Historic Preservation Office, who indicated the building could be added to the state list of historic structures, according to last month's minutes.

According to the state Historic Preservation and Museum Division, "buildings must be listed on the National or State Register of Historic Places, either individually or as part of an historic district" to qualify for the The Historic Preservation Tax Credit program.

This would allow the group to apply for tax credit for up to 25 percent of hard costs of the renovations, provided the state approve the modifications.

According to the meeting minutes, the bond would still be for the total amount; the 25 percent is given to the city once all the work is completed and audited, and could be used for a selling point during the referendum in September.

On May 1, there will be a city-wide presentation of the building design concept.

See here for all Planning, Conservation and Development information to date.

The Eckersley Hall Building Committee meets the second and fourth Monday of the month at 6 p.m. at the Middletown Police community room.