Championing Historic Preservation: Interview with Congressman Brian Higgins
From left: Congressman Brian Higgins, League President Jay DiLorenzo, and Preservation Studios Principal Mike Puma.
We recently caught up with Congressman Brian Higgins to get some insight into his interests and efforts in support of historic preservation.
How has Buffalo — and other areas in your district — changed over the years? What are some of the challenges the 26th district has had to overcome in the last couple decades?
Decades of industrial decline had fostered a sense of “learned helplessness” in Buffalo — until Buffalo learned to believe in itself again, to stand up for itself, and to take control of its own destiny. Finally, after decades of decline, Buffalo’s population is growing. Our downtown, our waterfront, and many neighborhoods are filled with vibrancy and excitement. The challenge now is to extend this growth and opportunity into all the city’s neighborhoods to make sure that everyone can benefit from this growth.
Can you tell us a bit about your interest in history, old buildings, and historic preservation?
I consider myself a lifelong student, of history in particular. Being from Buffalo, and living most of my life here, our built environment is history come to life. Buffalo has good architectural “bones.” While the buildings are older, they are well-built and aesthetically impressive. These unique assets are the foundation upon which Buffalo’s renaissance was built and continue to be a source of inspiration as they are creatively adapted and restored. Building on historical community assets is a formula for success and growth in communities across the country.
You have championed improvement to the Historic Tax Credit (HTC), which has generated over $1 billion in revitalization to Buffalo in the last 20 years. How important has the HTC been to the 26th district and how does it fit in to future revitalization efforts in Buffalo?
The Historic Tax Credit has been a game changer for NY-26. Anchor projects like the Electric Tower, the Guaranty Building, the Hotel Lafayette, and so many more have been made possible because of the historic tax credit. Initially, the credit played a critical role in the revitalization of downtown Buffalo. Now, the historic tax credit is being used successfully in Buffalo’s neighborhoods as well, with projects like Shea’s Seneca in South Buffalo, the Larkin District, the former School 77 on Buffalo’s West Side and the Mattress Factory in Hamlin Park taking advantage of the credit. Some of these new projects bring both opportunities and challenges for policymakers, but that all show the potential for this powerful tool to stabilize entire blocks.
COVID-19 brought many challenges in the financing realm, increased costs with materials and delays/work stoppages to historic rehab projects. The preservation community is excited about your leadership in NY of the current HTC-GO bill. What are you hearing from your constituents and what makes the provisions of this bill so crucial?
COVID-19 brought unprecedented challenges to projects across the country. Modifying existing tools such as the historic tax credit is one way to provide additional assistance and encourage economic activity. The HTC-GO Act would respond to the COVID-19 pandemic with an increase in the percentage of the credit temporarily to 30% and permanently increasing the credit for smaller projects, both of which constituents have pushed for. This will help projects bounce back from an extraordinarily challenging year and encourage new projects to get off the ground.
The House passed improvement provisions to the HTC in the infrastructure bill last year (HR 2). These are provisions that you have supported and championed for many years in stand-alone legislation like the Historic Tax Credit Growth and Opportunity Act. What is the outlook for an infrastructure bill? Is there opportunity to include these provisions in the emerging infrastructure legislation this year?
The House is committed to passing an infrastructure bill and a reconciliation package this fall, which will include President Biden’s priorities, the American Jobs Plan and the American Families Plan. The HTC-GO Act has the best chance at being included in the reconciliation package, which will include several economic development tax credits. In my role on the Ways and Means Committee, I am fighting to make sure it is included in full.
What can preservation advocates across New York do to help you in your legislative efforts to enhance the HTC?
Call, write, and email your state and federal elected officials. We are fortunate that New York State has a robust historic tax credit at the state level that pairs well with the federal historic tax credit, but programs can always be improved and strengthened. Feedback and suggestions from those on the ground is crucial. For preservation advocates in other Congressional districts, make sure your representatives know the historic tax credit is important to their constituents, that they are a co-sponsor of HTC-GO, and how the credit has been used in projects in their districts.