Page 14 - Brookings, SD Historic Preservation Plan

Benefits of Historic Preservation
903 4th Street, a contributing property
in the Central Residential Historic
District (W&Co, 2020)
423 Eighth St, also known as the G.A.
Matthews House, is individually listed
in the National Register of Historic
Places. (W&Co, 2020)
10
Historic structures in Brookings are essential parts of the City’s iden-
tity. They enhance the quality of life, economic vitality and environ-
mental sustainability of the community. Investment in these assets
ensures that the social, cultural and economic aspects of the City are
maintained and enhanced.
Livability and Quality of Life
Historic structures reinforce the City’s identity and contribute to its
sense of community. In many neighborhoods, when historic struc-
tures are located together on a block, they contribute to a pleasing
street scene with consistent setbacks and regular repetition of similar
building forms, creating a “pedestrian-friendly” environment which
encourages walking and neighborly interaction. Decorative archi-
tectural features also contribute to a sense of place that is difficult
to achieve in newer areas of the City. This also reinforces desirable
community social patterns and contributes to a feeling of stability
and security.
Construction Quality
Often the construction quality was higher in historic buildings than in
more recent buildings. Lumber came from mature trees, was properly
seasoned and typically milled to “full dimensions,” providing stronger
framing. Buildings were thoughtfully detailed, and finishes were gen-
erally of high quality – characteristics that owners today appreciate.
This higher quality of construction in earlier buildings is therefore an
asset which is nearly impossible to replace.
Adaptability
Owners also recognize that floor plans of many historic structures
easily accommodate changing needs. They can house a variety of
uses while retaining the overall historic character of these structures.
These changes include converting a house to an office, utilizing inte-
rior partitions, converting a carriage house or garage to a secondary
dwelling unit, and creating a basement apartment.
Economic Benefits
The economic benefits of investing in historic structures is well doc-
umented across the nation. Because historic structures are finite and
cannot be replaced, they can be precious commodities, adding value
to the properties. For instance, among National Register districts in
Philadelphia, historic homes received a sales price premium of 131%
over comparable properties in undesignated neighborhoods; in a
study of Texas cities, local designation increased property values be-
tween 5% and 20%. Historic buildings also attract small businesses
who can utilize small historic structures, attract visitors and attract
investment to preserve the structure and the area. Other economic
benefits center on rehabilitation projects and on the income generat-
ed by heritage tourism.
• Historic Rehabilitation Projects
Direct and indirect economic benefits accrue from rehabilitation
projects. Direct impact refers to the purchase of labor and ma-
terials, while indirect impacts are expenditures associated with
the project; together, these can be added to create the “total” im-
pact. Preservation projects are generally more labor intensive,
meaning more of the money invested in a project will stay in the
Brookings Historic Preservation Plan