Author: PHW

Courage Lauded in Saving the Taylor

This open letter from PHW’s President Franklin Wright appears in today’s issue of the Winchester Star.

What wonderful and overdue news about the Taylor Hotel!

Many despaired anything — other than demolition — would be done with the Taylor. The grim shell greeted residents and visitors alike as a rebuke to a city that prides itself on its attention to its architectural heritage. A convoluted ownership and entangling financing agreements led to seemingly endless delays — all while the building continued to deteriorate.

This was not a “vision thing.” Everyone could see what the Taylor once was, and could imagine what it might yet be. What was needed was courage — political courage to do what had to be done — to save the centerpiece of Old Town. The city has met that challenge. Our congratulations to the City Council, the city staff, and the Economic Development Authority and its director for achieving what seemed was the impossible task of saving the Taylor Hotel.

I predict this achievement will be one of those council members will look back on and mark it as one of their finest accomplishments. I know it will be so viewed by the present and future residents of Winchester.

We realize this is merely the first step on a long journey, and many challenges lie ahead. But Preservation of Historic Winchester commits to helping the city and the property owners realize the full potential of the Old Taylor.

FRANKLIN WRIGHT President Preservation of Historic Winchester

Read more Open Forum letters at www.winchesterstar.com.

Office Closed on Friday

The PHW office will be closed on Friday, April 6 for the Easter holiday. Normal office hours will resume Monday, April 9. You may still place ticket reservations for “Manhattan(s) in Winchester” via voicemail at (540) 667-3577, email at phwi@verizon.net, or purchase via Paypal over the holiday weekend. But hurry — only 15 tickets remain!

The lovely vintage Easter card is part of the e-card collection at CardCow.com.

Good News for the Taylor Hotel

The City of Winchester has received funding approval for the 108 HUD loan application for the Taylor Hotel project. According to the City, the acquisition of the property should occur within 30-60 days. Immediately thereafter, work will begin to stabilize the existing structure (historic front portion along Loudoun Street and the rear tower on Indian Alley) and demolish portions of the property that have collapsed.

Vic Bradshaw of the Winchester Star reports:

A second phase of the $3.85 million project will result in the creation of 7,000 square feet of commercial space, five apartments, an entertainment pavilion and a covered farmers market area. In a third phase, 12,000 square feet would be developed as condominiums.

Completion of the first two phases is expected to take 18 to 24 months, [Jim] Deskins said.

“I think ultimately it’s going to be tremendous,” he said of the entire project. “This will be moving the city toward the completion of City Council’s goal of enhancing the downtown area and addressing a blighted building that sits right smack dab in the middle of downtown.”

Read the rest of the article at www.winchesterstar.com (login required).

For more information, please contact Jim Deskins, Director of Economic Redevelopment, at (540) 667-1815.

Manhattan(s) in Winchester, April 14

Please join Preservation of Historic Winchester for Manhattan(s) in Winchester Saturday, April 14, 7 p.m. at the home of Dr. Peter Bullough, President of the Board of Trustees, Glass-Glen Burnie Foundation. Dr. Bullough, formerly of Manhattan, will graciously open his homes and gardens at 120 and 122 West Cork Street for cocktails and hors d’oeuvres to benefit PHW.

Space is limited, so only the first 60 paid reservations can be accommodated. Don’t delay – this is an opportunity not likely to be repeated. RSVP by mail or at (540 ) 667-3577 or buy your tickets online via Paypal. Admission is $50 per person.

Thanks to our sponsor Reader & Swartz Architects, P.C. for making this event possible!

Continue reading Manhattan(s) in Winchester, April 14

PHW Preservation Awards Open for Nominations

It’s time once again to recognize achievements in preservation in Winchester and Frederick County. Projects (historical research or rehabilitation) or leadership activities should have been completed in the period from late May/June 2011 to May 2012 to be eligible for this year’s round of awards.

Download a nomination form at www.phwi.org/issues/award.pdf. Nominations are due at the PHW office, 530 Amherst St., Winchester, VA 22601 or via email at phwi@verizon.net by May 1, 2012.

Don’t Forget the Poker Party!

The St. Patty’s Day Poker Party is fast approaching. If you haven’t considered attending yet, please do! The proceeds from the event will be used to help us repaint the exterior of 134 E. Leicester Street for an older homeowner in need of assistance. RSVP to Nancy at nvmurphy556@gmail.com by this Wednesday to join us for the “Giving of the Green.”

Historic Preservation Advocacy Day

The National Trust for Historic Preservation is reporting on Historic Preservation Advocacy Day today, where representatives from the preservation community are visiting their elected officials and informing them that “Preservation Equals Jobs.”

The Trust reports that:

In 2011, the federal rehabilitation tax credit created 55,458 jobs and generated $4.02 billion in investment. One million dollars spent on rehabilitation, compared to $1 million spent on new construction, yields between 5 and 9 more local construction jobs. Preservation is a good return on investment—it creates jobs, encourages investment in existing communities, and supports the tourism industry.

The Trust also reported on three bills that have the potential to improve the effectiveness of the existing historic rehabilitation tax credit program:

H.R. 2479 and S. 2074, Creating American Prosperity though Preservation Act (CAPP), which would amend the existing program for commercial buildings to expand historic preservation’s community and job-creating power, encourage greater reinvestment in America’s Main Street neighborhoods, and foster economic development.
H.R. 2555, Historic Homeownership Revitalization Act, which would add a tax credit for owner-occupied historic homes that is similar to the current tax credit for commercial buildings. This will help revitalize communities, increase their tax base, and create jobs.
S. 1685, Rehabilitation of Historic Schools Act, which would amend the existing federal tax credit to make it easier to rehabilitate historic school buildings.

Read more about Historic Preservation Advocacy Day at www.preservationnation.org.

Preservation Virginia 2012 Most Endangered Historic Sites Nominations

Preservation Virginia, the statewide preservation organization, has opened nominations for the 2012 list of Virginia’s Most Endangered Historic Sites. The program recognizes the Commonwealth’s irreplaceable architectural, natural, and archaeological sites that face imminent threat by demolition, alteration, inappropriate development, insufficient funding, or neglect. These special “places” play an important role in Virginia’s heritage and should be recognized before it is too late.

You may remember in 2010, two properties in Winchester were recognized on this list: the Taylor Hotel and the Gavis (Aulick) house. If you know of a similar endangered site in Virginia, PHW encourages you to nominate it for the 2012 list.

The nomination form is online at www.preservationvirginia.org/EndangeredSites/. Nominations are due by April 13.

St. Patty’s Day Poker Party for PHW

Come join us in the “Giving of the Green” to benefit Preservation of Historic Winchester on Saturday, March 17th, 2012 from 7:00 to 11:00 p.m. at 107 Lee St., Winchester, Va.

No poker experience is necessary. A donation of $20.00 is requested to play. You will receive a receipt for your tax deductible charitable donation after you “cash” in your chips. If you don’t trust your luck, come and enjoy the food and refreshments and watch the friendly competition unfold!
 
Please RSVP to nvmurphy556@gmail.com by Wednesday, March 14th. We’ll see you then!