obd releases preservation assessment report
October 14, 2011
OMAHA – The Omaha-Council Bluffs metro is in need of a preservation makeover, one that reflects the region’s many successes and positive impacts. This recommendation sums up the results of a recent assessment conducted by the National Trust for Historic Preservation for Omaha by Design.
Last fall, Omaha by Design convened a Conservation, Preservation and Restoration (CPR) Committee to begin looking at what role the organization could play in augmenting existing preservation efforts in the Omaha-Council Bluffs metro. The goal of the committee, which stems from the Civic Omaha section of Omaha’s Urban Design Element, is to breathe new life into the region’s built heritage by analyzing the existing environment and developing an appropriate set of strategies for programs, projects and policies that promote its conservation, preservation and restoration.
The assessment, which lays out a three-step “makeover” process, was funded by Omaha by Design in partnership with the Iowa West Foundation. The steps:
- Update the image of preservation
- Develop a smarter, more sustainable preservation structure
- Effectively implement a set of incentives to facilitate preservation results
The first step focuses on developing new messages that highlight preservation success, documenting and sharing the economic and community benefits of preservation, and connecting to robust movements such as the renewed interest in urban living, arts, music and culture. The Trust also recommends expanding the audience for preservation through events, the promotion of community discovery and connections to young, dynamic community leaders.
The second step focuses on developing alliances between organizations, organizing a Metro Heritage Alliance to facilitate cooperation and plan joint activities, and forming issue-specific task forces to carry out short-term, discrete goals.
The final step focuses on making better use of existing incentives, developing new incentives such as a Nebraska state tax credit and an Iowa property tax exemption, refining existing planning tools, implementing new planning tools – including the adoption of form-based conservation overlay districts, and providing technical assistance through workshops and training, especially for homeowners.
“These steps are related but independent,” said Connie Spellman, director of Omaha by Design. “They can be developed and implemented over time, taking advantage of strategic opportunities, community interest and funding as they become available.”
Omaha by Design’s CPR Committee will announce its next steps in the process next week.
The assessment in its entirety is available online at http://www.omahabydesign.org/projects/urban-design-element/civic-omaha/cpr/. For more information, contact Omaha by Design at 402.554.4010 or info@omahabydesign.org.