Monticello, NY – Monticello’s downtown Broadway core may soon become a National Register Historic District.
A historic assessment of the area, sponsored by Sullivan Renaissance, was completed earlier this year and resulted in the creation of a formal nomination to the National Register. The Village of Monticello and Sullivan County Division of Planning have been working with the New York State Historic Preservation Office (NYSHPO) to nominate the district for inclusion and to coordinate outreach and education on what the listing means. This is one of many efforts in which the Division of Planning and Village have been partnering to revitalize Broadway.
“Monticello has a treasure trove of beautiful mixed-use buildings that are worthy of National Historic District designation,” noted District 9 Legislator Alan Sorensen, chair of the Legislature’s Planning Committee. “We need to protect these resources for future generations.”
“Including Monticello in the National Register will help preserve the remarkable history of our County Seat and enable us to obtain grants to enhance the downtown area,” agreed District 8 Legislator Ira Steingart, who, with Sorensen, represents the village.
The National Register of Historic Places was established in 1966 by the National Historic Preservation Act, which declared that “the historical and cultural foundations of the Nation should be preserved as a living part of our community life and development.” The National Register was to be “composed of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects significant in American history, architecture, archaeology, engineering, and culture.” Downtown Monticello is to be nominated as a district due to its concentration and continuity of historic early 20th century buildings on and around the core of Broadway. Similar National Register historic districts in Sullivan County include downtown Liberty and the hamlet of Callicoon.
Inclusion in a federally-designated historic district will make improvements to properties eligible for various grant opportunities and tax incentives. Because of this, the historic district can be an important tool for downtown revitalization. To learn more about the designation, there will be an informational meeting on Monday, August 12, 2019 at 5:30 p.m. at Monticello Village Hall, 2 Pleasant Street.
The meeting will also address how benefits from the historic district designation may be packaged with other available incentives to support investment in Broadway properties, such as the newly adopted 485-a tax incentive or the recent federal Opportunity Zone designation.
To RSVP, contact the Sullivan County Division of Planning & Community Development by calling (845) 807-0527 or emailing Planning@sullivanny.us. If you cannot make the meeting but have questions, would like to provide comments on the designation, or are looking for assistance with improving your property, please reach out to Planning as well.