The Irony of January 2nd (28. December 2006, 08:47 by Derek Young) ~ Where Will You Be?
There are two events on January 2nd that came about independently, but are somehow linked.
Event # 1
Demolition will begin on Tacoma’s First United Methodist Church. A private demolition service will begin at 8:30 am. The heavy machinery begins working at 10:00. It’s been a long and painful year for this church and everybody involved. Don’t miss Callaghan’s column today.
Link to The News Tribune – Callaghan
Previously on Exit133
Event # 2
New Washington State study shows positive economic impact of historic preservation in Pierce County and Washington State
Media Conference
Date: Tuesday, January 2, 1:00 p.m.
Location: Passages Building lobby, 708 Broadway, Tacoma.
Topic: The Economic Benefits of Historic Preservation in Washington State, a new study released by Washington State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation’s (DAHP).
(Tacoma, WA)- Representatives of participating preservation organizations and a local developer will be available to local media to discuss the study.
The redevelopment of the Passages Building is an excellent example of a project that utilized several of the historic preservation incentive programs discussed in the Washington State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation’s (DAHP) recently released study, “The Economic Benefits of Historic Preservation in Washington State.”
Among the findings- Rehabilitation of historic buildings in Pierce County from 2000 to 2004 annually generated $28.7 million in sales of products and services, supported 325 jobs, and added $11.1 million in wages to the economy. Statewide, rehabilitation of historic structures resulted in annual sales of $221 million, supporting 2,320 jobs producing $87 million in labor income.
“Historic preservation has played a significant role in attracting private capital investment to Tacoma,” said Reuben McKnight. “Over 85 projects have used historic preservation incentives to restore downtown buildings, and public investments in historic buildings such as Union Station have attracted hundreds of millions of dollars more in tourism and private development.”
“Historic preservationists have been looking to do the research and produce the data that supports what we’ve been saying for years: that preservation makes sound economic sense, on top of other benefits,” said Jack Williams, Chair of the Governor’s Advisory Council on Historic Preservation. “It’s also gratifying to learn that the data in Washington is consistent with the trends found in similar studies conducted by other states.”
DAHP is the state agency tasked with identifying and protecting Washington’s cultural heritage. The study results, officially released in November, examined the economic impacts of historic preservation activities statewide, including renovation and rehabilitation of historic properties, the Washington State Main Street Program, heritage tourism, and property values.
“While we are seeing many of the economic benefits of historic preservation occurring in urban areas, it is clear that historic preservation can be an economic revitalization tool in rural areas as well,” said State Historic Preservation Officer and DAHP director Allyson Brooks.
The study focused on two well documented incentive programs: the Federal Historic Tax Credit, a 20 percent credit for “substantial” rehabilitation of an historic structure; and the Washington Special Valuation Program, which allows owners to deduct rehabilitation costs from an historic building’s assessed value once the rehabilitation is complete. Because the study did not include impacts from all private, not-for-profit, and government spending, the findings are considered conservative.
“The actual economic impact of preservation activities is likely far larger than the report suggests,” according to Jennifer Meisner, executive director of the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation, the only statewide historic preservation organization. “We believe not-for-profit programs such as ours, and the work of volunteers and businesses who donate time and materials to preservation projects, add tremendous value to local economies.”
Other findings related to historic rehabilitation activities include:
Owners spent an average of $12.9 million a year on rehabilitation in Pierce County, $83.5 million statewide. A significant portion of rehabilitation spending statewide occurred in Pierce County (15%) and Spokane County (18%), with the majority occurring in King County (62%). Historic preservation is an important employment sector. Preservation generates a similar number of jobs and wages per $1 million spent with the construction, wood products, and food products industries.
Following are other key findings of the study:
Washington State Main Street Program:
The Washington State Main Street Program has helped small communities revitalize commercial districts since 1984. Auburn, Bainbridge Island, Kennewick, Kent, Port Angeles, Port Townsend, Puyallup, Walla Walla, and Wenatchee are certified “Main Street” communities. From 2000 to 2004, the program resulted in:
- $165 million in total sales each year
- Supported 2,625 jobs
- Generated $67 million in wages
Heritage Tourism:
Each year, tens of thousands of state residents and tourists visit designated federal, state, and local historic properties, including pioneer homes, museums, and historic districts, such as Pioneer Square. The study found significant economic impacts from these activities in 2004:
- $630 million in spending by heritage tourists (over $39 million in Pierce County)
- 20,025 jobs supported (1,100 jobs in Pierce County)
- $510 million in wages generated ($26.8 million in Pierce County)
Property Values in Historic Districts:
The study concluded that property values for single-family homes in some designated historic districts rise at a faster rate than homes in undesignated areas. In other districts, property values stay consistent with homes in undesignated areas.
About the City of Tacoma’s Historic Preservation Program:
The Historic Preservation Program is part of the Planning Division, Community and Economic Development Department. The Historic Preservation Office provides support to the Landmarks Preservation Commission, maintains and reviews nominations to Tacoma’s Landmarks Register, reviews applications for changes to historic landmarks, and provides assistance to the public and other government agencies regarding historic preservation issues. There are over 1,300 properties registered as Landmarks and within local historic districts in Tacoma.
Contact:
City of Tacoma Historic Preservation Office:
Reuben McKnight
253-591-5220
Website
About Historic Tacoma:
Historic Tacoma is a private not-for-profit grassroots organization dedicated to preserving Tacoma’s architectural legacy through education and advocacy. Historic Tacoma advocates for the thoughtful preservation and rehabilitation of historic structures, sites, and neighborhoods, while urging policy makers, developers and citizens to consider the value and unique qualities of historic structures.
Contact:
Sharon Winters
253-761-9349
Website
About the Governor’s Advisory Council on Historic Preservation: The Governor’s Advisory Council on Historic Preservation is a nine member board comprised of citizens knowledgeable in Washington’s history, archaeology, and architecture charged with reviewing nominations for listing in the National Register of Historic Places and the Washington Heritage Register.
Members of the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation are appointed by the Governor.
About Department of Archaeology & Historic Preservation:
The Department of Archaeology & Historic Preservation is Washington State’s primary agency with knowledge and expertise in historic preservation. The director, appointed by the governor, is the State Historic Preservation Office, who administers the National Register of Historic Places program in Washington State, maintains the State Inventory of Cultural Resources and fulfills other cultural resource management responsibilities as delegated by Congress and the Legislature.
Contact:
Greg Griffith
360-586-3073
Website
About Washington Trust for Historic Preservation:
The Washington Trust for Historic Preservation is a statewide, tax exempt 501©3 non profit organization founded in 1976 to safeguard Washington’s historic places through advocacy, education, collaboration and stewardship.
Contact:
Chris Moore
206-624-9449
Website
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For all that has happened lately in Tacoma of which the region can be proud, I am painfully ashamed of the First United Methodist Church demolition and I am angrily ashamed of the souls who let it happen. I was believing that this generation and generations to come would no longer have to lament the vanishing of any more grand buildings. Profit, over things on which a price tag cannot be easily placed. Selling another piece of the city’s soul. I am also ashamed at myself for my fist post having to be made (to the readership) anonymously. It’s because I will probably have some minor indirect involvement with this project somewhere down the line, and I will be full of guilt when even one paycheck will have anything to do with this travesty. All of the money that will be spent on detail, fit and finishes, and fancy equipment will not offset what was done here. Yes, this will be our generation’s “remember when.”
1 | Posted by MoneyCare Insider | Dec 28, 11:23 AM
Amen. I hope there is hope to be had in this very sad state of affairs.
Per the TPL buildings index database it was almost exactly 90 years ago that thousands attended the church dedication (T.Tribune 12/18/16). I wonder how those thousands would have felt if they could know the church’s ultimate fate, and the who and how it came to be. More irony that in 1918 an emergency hospital was set-up in the church basement due to influenza (TDL 10/18/1918). And that a copy of famous painting, “Christ and the Doctors”, brings comfort to the sorrowful in First Methodist sanctuary (TNT 11/18/1943) I’d like to witness the demo, but I wouldn’t be able to bring myself to watch. Let’s hope this is the last time something like this is allowed to happen and that its sacrifice makes it our own Penn Station.
2 | Posted by Dave L. | Dec 28, 03:03 PM
Ironic indeed. And very sad.
I had hoped that the demolition of an historic church would serve as a wake-up call for Tacomans. But I see it would rather sleep.
But don’t just blame Multicare. Their mission is to save lives, not neighborhoods. To demolish the church so Multicare doesn’t have to get its hands dirty is just plain wrong.
Not much has been said about the personal sacrifices made by original congregation members and the natural resources it took to construct the First United Methodist Church. I wonder how the original congregation would feel about their building being torn down. The sad thing is that the building probably could have lasted another 100 years.
One hopes that congregation members from other churches adjacent to MultiCare choose to take a higher road. There is a better way. Just do a little research and ask around. You are not alone, this is a global crisis. In this country, there are even websites devoted to the topic, such as Partners for Sacred Places.
3 | Posted by morgan | Dec 28, 03:36 PM
Demolition will begin on Tacoma’s First United Methodist Church. A private demolition service will begin at 8:30 am.
Sad. Unfortunately, the destruction of historical buildings is a one way trip. If we lose one every few years, eventually there will be few left.
The destruction of the First United Methodist Church is also regrettable as it would have likely been easier to save than future church demolitions due to the transfer of the building to multi care. No person or entity was willing to really stick their neck out and challenge the demolition.
Future congregations will simply knock down their church first without making the mistake of transferring the building to another entity.
4 | Posted by Erik | Dec 28, 04:48 PM
But no, you all are wrong, the building would have collapsed AT ANY MINUTE, killing hundreds of cherub-faced children inside. It’s clear that if you oppose this, er, “deconstruction,” shall we say, you ONLY CARE ABOUT BUILDINGS! Fortunately, the congregration of FUMC cares about people! And what better expression of their love for people than to destroy a symbol of our community for a faceless medical structure? —end sarcasm here—
On a less snarky note, I would really be interested in seeing what becomes of FUMC in five years. They may create a new building, but that won’t increase their congregation, and I suspect they will be sorely tempted to spend the money on social projects (unless they are somehow restricted in their use of these funds).
5 | Posted by UPSPatrick | Dec 28, 09:23 PM
Commenting is closed for this article.
