Advantages of
Historic
Preservation

Preservation is an important tool in a downtown district for a variety of reasons, including:

1. Preservation of existing buildings and spaces helps maintain the fabric of the district.
2. The city infrastructure (roads, utilities, services) is already in place, saving the considerable costs inherent in providing new infrastructure.
3. Older commercial buildings are usually located in prime market areas, with great potential for further growth.
4. Preservation is popular with the public, and the sensitive reuse of older buildings can draw in customers for merchants.
5. Older buildings are energy efficient, sometimes more so than new buildings:
   • They are built with heavier materials, with long durability and less maintenance in the long run.
   • They share common walls, saving considerably on heating requirements.
   • They do not require the manufacture and shipping of new materials, but require work that is more labor intensive, providing more locally oriented jobs.
6. Rehabilitation saves on capital costs, often more than 50 percent.
7. Rehabilitation often saves on maintenance costs, especially in the longer term period.
8. Most importantly, preservation maintains a city's heritage and sense of identity over time, and thus instills pride.¹

   ¹ Source unknown.

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