Page 15 - Corvallis, OR Historic Preservation Plan
P. 15

Historic Preservation Plan




              Housing Diversity and Affordability
              The  preservation,  reuse  and  rehabilitation  of  historic  structures,         m
              including  large  single-family  homes  and  small  apartment  buildings,                      .7
              maintains  a  wider  stock  of  housing  types  and  can  provide  more
              affordable  options  in  neighborhoods.  These  historic  structures  can
              also provide a key transition in scale in neighborhoods that currently
              have the “missing middle” phenomenon – where a change from single-          rj-f]
              family homes to large apartment buildings is not buffered by modest
              apartments and duplexes. Maintaining historic structures and an older   Bell House           *&%***■
              housing stock also provides smaller structures and building types that
              may  no  longer  be  permitted  within  a  particular  zone,  creating  the   m  ma              1
              potential for a more affordable and diverse housing stock.         r      '"-■i                 v- m
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              Construction Quality                                                          ii'rM       L  i $
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              Often the construction quality was higher in historic buildings than in
              more recent building. Lumber came from mature trees, was properly
              seasoned and typically milled to “full dimensions,” providing stronger   m
              framing.  Buildings  were  thoughtfully  detailed  and  finishes  were
              generally 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.                       Adaptive  reuse  of  early-20th  century
                                                                                 residential structure for office use
              Adaptability                                                       HISTORIC DESIGNATION
              Owners  also  recognize  that  floor  plans  of  many  historic  structures   AND PROPERTY VALUES
              easily  accommodate  changing  needs.  They  can  house  a  variety  of
              uses while retaining the overall historic character of these structures.   The designation, maintenance
              These changes include converting a house to an office, utilizing interior   and renovation of historic
              partitions,  converting  a  carriage  house  or  garage  to  an  Accessory   structures not only has a positive
              Dwelling Unit (ADU), and creating a basement apartment.             impact on the structure itself,
                                                                                  but on neighboring structures.
              Economic Benefits                                                   There are many instances in
              The  economic  benefits  of  investing  in  historic  structures  is  well   which the maintenance of a
              documented in Oregon and across the nation. Because historic structures   historic structure also increases
              are finite and cannot be replaced, they can be precious commodities,   property values in neighboring
                                                                                  structures, which is seen through
              adding value to the properties. For instance, among National Register   the following study about
              districts in Philadelphia, historic homes received a sales price premium   state investment in historic
              of 131% over comparable properties in undesignated neighborhoods;   preservation in Oregon:
              in a study of Texas cities, local designation increased property values
              between 5% and 20%. Historic buildings also attract small businesses   https://restoreoregon.org/sb565-
              who  can  utilize  small  historic  structures,  attract  visitors  and  attract   dollars-and-sense/
              investment to preserve the structure and the area. Other economic
              benefits center on rehabilitation projects and on the income generated
              by heritage tourism.











               Final: November 15, 2017                                                                       9
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