Historic Preservation grants available

Applications are now available to eligible municipalities and not-for-profit organizations to compete for funds through Preserve New York, a grant program of the Preservation League of New York State and New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA).

A total of $78,600 is available for historic structure reports, historic landscape reports and cultural resource surveys. Grants are likely to range between $3,000 and $15,000 each. The application deadline is May 3, 2004.

Examples of eligible projects include: historic structure reports for public buildings; historic landscape reports for municipal parks; and cultural resource surveys of downtowns and residential neighborhoods.

In 2004, the Preservation League especially encourages projects that link preservation to smart growth land use planning; neighborhood and "Main Street" revitalization; preservation initiatives along rural roads and other historic transportation corridors; and projects that involve the continued use of historic municipal buildings and historic bridges.

For Preserve New York Grant Program guidelines, visit the league's website at www.preservenys.org. Prospective applicants should contact the Preservation League at 518-462-5658, ext. 12 or 607-272-6510 to discuss their projects and to request an application form.

The Preservation League of New York State is a private, not-for-profit organization that works to protect and enhance the Empire State's historic buildings, landscapes and neighborhoods. The New York State Council on the Arts is the state's arts funding agency.