Historic preservation is a catalyst. Historic preservation demonstrates that the rehabilitation of older structures not only preserves a sense of our architectural heritage but also provides an attractive and viable opportunity to businesses wishing to take advantage of such structures, thus stabilizing the local economy. Historic preservation is a powerful economic generator. The increase in the tax base and creation of new jobs in preservation districts are real and significant benefits of preservation activity. Historic preservation improves housing.
Historic preservation builds community pride and preserves values.
Historic preservation activity results in the intangible benefit of linking the preservation of buildings with the preservation of community values. Historic preservation creates awareness of a community's heritage. From this stems the desire to preserve this heritage for future generations. Historic preservation becomes part of community planning. An important benefit of historic preservation is organized citizen awareness and closely monitored planning that cannot only accent positives, such as protecting community businesses, but can limit negatives, such as controlling the building of strip shopping centers.