The free, virtual workshop will take place on zoom at 6:00 p.m., Wednesday, February 15 and the JRC also will have a space at City Hall where people can watch the presentation.

JRC Urban Core Director Frank Besse said the three historic districts in Jamestown include downtown, Lakeview district, and Forest Heights. He said those who choose to participate in the program can receive a tax credit on their New York State income tax, “You come up with a project and you have that project reviewed by the State Historic Preservation Office, or what we call SHPO. They approve it and the work is then done. And you will get some paperwork from SHPO that says, ‘Hey, you passed the test,’ and then that is given to your accountant and they do their magic. But basically, you’ll have a credit that’s 20% if it’s a residential property. 20% of the value of the work.”

Besse said there is a $5,000 minimum threshold to trigger that credit. He said if you don’t have a state income tax liability, that credit turns into a refund.

JRC Neighborhood Project Coordinator Mary Maxwell said the City is working on applying to the state to add a fourth historic district on the west side.

She said the Lakeview district, which was approved in 2017, has had $88,000 invested in properties. The downtown district, which was approved in 2014, has seen $27 million reinvested by those taking advantage of the historic tax credits.

Pre-registration is required for the workshop and can be done at PreservationBuffaloNiagara.org. Those who wish to attend the presentation in person, or who want more information, should contact Mary Maxwell at mary@jamestownrenaissance.org or call (716) 708-6964.

Jamestown City Council

Chautauqua Art Gallery owner Leslie Calimeri and Jamestown Renaissance Corporation Urban Core Director Frank Besse will present their Downtown ArtScape Banner project to council.

JRC Neighborhood Coordinator Mary Maxwell also will be presenting to the Housing Committee about a Historic Tax Credit Workshop.

The Finance Committee is expected to continue a discussion on American Rescue Plan funds.

And the Public Safety Committee will review a block party application for an event by Jensen British Sports Cars at the National Comedy Center to be held on Saturday, June 8.

The Public Works Committee meeting has been canceled due to lack of agenda items.

The Housing Committee will meet at 6:45 p.m. with Finance and Public Safety committees meeting at 7:00 p.m. The full City Council work session will take place at 7:30 p.m. in the Police Training Room located on the fourth floor of City Hall. The public is welcome to attend all meetings with the full work session being streamed on jamestownny.gov.