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Grants and Tax Credits
Typically, three types of historic properties are eligible for historic preservation grants and tax credits:
- Properties listed on the State Register of Historic Places.
- Properties listed National Register of Historic Places.
- Properties in a historic district designated as "contributing" properties (see map below).
State Tax Credits
The state tax credit program provides a tax credit equal to 25% of qualified expenditures (or 30% for non-profits) to rehabilitate or make improvements/upgrades to income-producing and non-income-producing properties listed on the State or National Register or classified as a "contributing" property in a district.
Federal Tax Credits
The federal tax credit program provides an income-tax credit equal to 20% of qualified expenditures to rehabilitate or make improvements/upgrades to income-producing properties listed on the State or National Register or classified as a "contributing" property in a district.
More Info
Information about these and other State and Federal Historic Tax Credit Programs can be found on the Tax Credit Basics page of the Kansas Historic Society website.
Grants
The most common grant offered to owners of historic properties is the Heritage Trust Fund (HTF) Grant, offering up to $100,000 for rehabilitation, restoration and preservation projects on historic properties with a 20% match. Other grant opportunities offered by the State of Kansas, the federal government and other institutions can be found on the Grants page of the Kansas Historic Society website.
Eligible Properties
You can view if a property is "contributing" or listed on the State or National Register by referring to the Historic Districts and Sites Map below. State and National Register sites are marked with an orange dot and contributing properties in a historic district are overlaid in green. A list of local properties on the State and National Register is also on the Historic Properties page on the City website. The official historic status of properties can be searched in the Kansas Historic Resources Inventory. Properties included solely on the local Manhattan Register of Historic Places are not eligible for these tax credits and grants.
Historic Review Process
If you are planning a project on a property that requires a building permit, demolition permit, or sign permit and the property is within a historic district or is individually listed on the Local, State, or National Register of Historic Places, the project must be reviewed by the City for historic compatibility before a permit can be issued. This is separate from the tax credit review process, and not all tax credit projects require a permit.
View the applications for more details on the historic review process and to submit historic review applications.
Preserving your Historic Property
Tips, techniques, and resources for preserving your historic home or business can be found on both the Kansas Historic Society website and the Technical Preservation Services page of the National Park Service website. The State Historic Society also maintains a list of contractors specializing in the restoration and rehabilitation of historic homes. For homeowners interested in restoring a brick sidewalk, you can download instructions for two alternative methods of brick sidewalk repair developed by the Manhattan city engineer. The first method includes a concrete base while a less expensive alternative uses a sand base only.
Historic Markers
Unfortunately, the City of Manhattan does not issue or fund the making of any kind of plaque or marker for designated historic properties. However, anyone is free to create one. The Historic Resources Board has adopted this style guide to create consistency and recognition across the city. There is guidance for several types of markers to suit your needs. Contact Community Development for any questions about the guide.