Culture & Tourism Advisory Committee Meeting Department of Economic & Community Development Main Conference Room Hartford, Connecticut Monday, November 20, 2017 1:30 pm Present: Absent: Staff: Guests: Mary Ellen Kingsland-Eckels, Anne Elvgren, Helen Higgins, Bill Hosley, Lee Kuckro, Renny Loisel, Larry McHugh and Chair Michael Price Charles Bunnell, Carolyn Cicchetti, Arthur Diedrick, Brian Jones, Will Wilkins, Walt Woodward and Ted Yudain Julie Carmelich, Christine Castonguay, Mary Dunne, Randy Fiveash, Jennifer Haag, Alyssa Lozupone, Kristina Newman Scott, Doug Royalty, Jenny Scofield, Liz Shapiro, Commissioner Smith and Deputy Commissioner Sullivan Seamus McKeever I. Call to Order Chair Michael Price called the meeting to order at 1:12p.m. II. Approval of Minutes Michael Price On a motion by Bill Hosley and seconded by Anne Elvgren, the Advisory Committee on Culture and Tourism approved the June 12, 2017 Advisory Committee minutes. (Y-7, N-0) III. Kristina Newman Scott Intro to State Historic Preservation Office Presentation The State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) is responsible for overseeing the governmental program of historic preservation for Connecticut s citizens. SHPO administers a range of federal and state programs that identify, register and protect the buildings, sites, structures, districts and objects that compromise Connecticut s cultural heritage. CT SHPO is 62 years old. Originally established as the CT Historical Commission in 1955, SHPO is now locate within the Department of Economic & Community Development. Liz Shapiro was moved up to present first for the State Historic Preservation Office. IV. Liz Shapiro Museum Update
Liz has been working as Director of the Museums for 6 months. The four (4) Sate run Museums are the Prudence Crandall Museum, Canterbury; the Old New-Gate Prison and Copper Mine Museum, Granby; Eric Sloane Museum, Kent; and the Henry Whitefield Museum located in Guilford. Assessment plans will be done on all four of the Museums. The aim is to bring the Museums into the 21 st Century with internet access, new computers and improved gift shops for starters. A job search is going on for a new site manager for Old New-Gate Prison with over 40 applications received. The curator of the Prudence Crandall Museum will be retiring in the winter and the state is hoping to make new partnerships with the organizations in the area. There is an active Friends of Prudence Crandall organization. V. Jenny Scofield State & National Register Connecticut has 64 National Historical Landmarks, more than 51,000 properties listed on the National Register, and more than 75,000 properties listed on the State Register. National and State Registers of Historic Places include districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects significant in American history, architecture, archaeology, engineering and culture. The National Park Service has the final say on all National Register Nominations. VI. Marena Wisniewski Environmental Review Environmental Review involves compliance with state and federal laws such as the Connecticut Environmental Policy Act and Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. State & Federal Governments must consider the effects of their actions to significant historic resources before committing to funding or permitting. SHPO represents the interests of the state and its citizens in historic preservation. The review process involves identifying historic properties that will be adversely affected and resolving adverse effect through avoidance or mitigation (requires legally binding agreements). Archaeological Preserves: Connecticut is one of only five states that has an Archaeological Preserve Program. Provides public-private coordination for the preservation and recognition of the state s diverse archaeological heritage.
Significant penalties for vandalism or un-permitted collecting of artifacts from a listed preserve. Recognition through public education and outreach. Since its inception in 2000, 37 archeological sites have been added to the list of State Archaeological Preserves. VII Mary Dunne & Doug Royalty - Grants There are a variety of economic incentives in the form of Survey and Planning Grants that are offered to non-profits and municipalities. These grants are funded by the Community Investment Act (CIA). Over 1 million dollars in FY2017. Eligible activities include: o Historic Resources Inventory o State & National Register Designations o Planning Activities o Pre-development studies o Conditions Assessment o Feasibility Study o Architectural Plans and Specifications o Brochures and publications o Design Review Guidelines o Preservation Tool Kits and plans Historic Restoration Fund Grants are also offered for physical restoration or rehabilitation of historic structures. These are matching grants of up to $50,000.00. $750,000.00 awarded in FY17. Hurricane Sandy Federal Funding Connecticut received 8 million from the federal government for historic properties that were damaged by Hurricane Sandy. The State will be spending some of this money on surveys and National Register nominations, a data base of historic properties along with resiliency planning and technical assistance outreach. The new State Hazard Mitigation Plan will include historic preservation. VIII. Julie Carmelich & Alyssa Lozupone Tax Credit Programs The Historic Homes Rehabilitation Tax Credit was codified in the Ct General Statues in 2000. o $3 million set aside each year
o 30% return on qualified rehabilitation expenditures with a maximum of $30,000 per dwelling unit o This is open to private or non-profit owners of State or National Register properties o Residential buildings with 1-4 units o Hard costs that meet the Secretary of the Interior s Standards o In the last 5 years there have been 451 applications o $5.9 million in credits o $26 million in local rehabilitation expenditures State and Federal Tax Credits o The Federal Historic Preservation Tax Credit 20% of qualified rehabilitation expenditures For income-producing properties (rental residential, office, commercial or manufacturing) Some soft cots covered but no site work Work must meet the Secretary of the Interior s Standards o The State Historic rehabilitation Tax Credit 25% tax credit of qualified rehabilitation expenditures 30% tax credit of qualified rehabilitation expenditures if the project includes an affordable housing component provided at least 20%of the rental units or 10% for sale units qualify under CGS Section 8-39a $31.7 million in tax credit reservations available each fiscal year Per project cap is up to $4.5 million in tax credits The State tax credit program is oversubscribed and the SHPO receives more applications than it has money to provide. The Federal historic tax credit is in jeopardy of elimination under the current House and Senate tax reform plans. A question and answer session followed. IX. Kristina Newman-Scott Wrap up/important Dates and Events Hold May 16, 2018 for the 2 nd State Historic Preservation Office Statewide Conference. The theme is shared stewardship attracting State and National partners. An excellent resource for Mill listings in Connecticut at ctmills.org, is an extensive website with pictures, specs and history of all of the mills in Connecticut. X. Tim Sullivan, Deputy Commissioner Budget
Statewide Marketing budget for 2018 is 6.4 million dollars. In 2019 10% of the proceeds from the Hotel Tax will go to a Culture, Tourism and Arts Fund; how this will be divided up is yet to be announced. Once the new casino opens 10% of table games will go to this Culture, Tourism and Arts Fund. In 2019 the Statewide Marketing Budget will be 4 million dollars. A lengthy budget talk followed, along with a discussion on the importance of the Casino s in Connecticut. XI. Christine Castonguay & Randy Fiveash Tourism Update The State funded $800,000.00 for a fall digital marketing campaign ahead of receiving the allocation for the new FY of 2018 The plan is for all digital for the Winter and Spring The CT Visit website is continuing to grow with new cities and towns joining In the FY18-19 budget the Tourism Regional Districts have been defunded XII. Adjournment A motion to adjourn was made and so moved. The next meeting is to be determined. Jennifer Haag, CT Office of Tourism