Historic Preservation as a Catalyst for City Revitalization, Economic Development & Tourism Development Bob Mitchell Lisa Bergson Anne Louro Derek Santos

1. Historic Preservation as a Catalyst for City Revitalization,
Economic Development & Tourism Development
Massachusetts Association of Planning Directors
Annual Conference – New Bedford MA
June 9-10, 2011
 Bob Mitchell FAICP, EOHED - Moderator
 Lisa Bergson, Executive Director, WHALE
Anne Louro, Historic Preservation Planner, City of New Bedford
Derek Santos, Director of Business Development, New Bedford
Economic Development Council

2. City of New Bedford ….
Historic Preservation as a Catalyst for City Revitalization, Economic
Development and Tourism Development

3. New Bedford’ s strong
neighborhood identity
and historic resources are
our greatest economic
assets

8. The Massachusetts Rehabilitative Tax Credit
From 2004-2008:
• $74 Million state tax credits leveraged nearly $1 billion in
private investment & over 12,000 jobs.
Since 2009:
• 100 new projects sought $162 million in tax credits that would
leverage $1.09 billion in private investment .
The State program has revitalized the use of the Federal Historic
Tax Credit in Massachusetts
• In 2008, Massachusetts ranked #2 in the country with nearly
$325 million in certified federal historic tax credit
expenditures.
• Return to Mass in tax revenue: approximately $296.9 million.

22. Waterfront Historic Area LeaguE • WHALE

23.  Birth of
Preservation
in New Bedford
Waterfront Historic Area LeaguE • WHALE

24. “If you bulldoze your heritage,
you become just anywhere.”
– Sarah Delano, WHALE President 1966-1982 –

32. New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park

33. SOME OF WHALE’S “IMPOSSIBLE” PROJECTS

34. WHALE’s Mission
WHALE saves historic
buildings in New Bedford
when no one else can!

36. BENJAMIN RODMAN HOUSE

37. ANDREW ROBESON HOUSE

38. MCCULLOUGH BUILDING

39. RODMAN CANDLEWORKS

40. GRINNELL MANSION

41. SUNDIAL BUILDING

42. Union Street Lofts

43. Union Street Lofts

45. 1834 Howland House
Saved from demolition
and neglect!

46. 1834
Howland House
c.1890 photo courtesy of Spinner Publication

47. 1834
Howland
House

48. Howland House – Phase One

49. Howland House – Phase One

50. Phase One Stabilization Complete

51. Howland House – Phase One Complete

52. Phase 1A – Floor Repairs

53. Howland House

55. MEMBERS

56. Partnerships
• City of New Bedford – Mayor Scott Lang
• Secretary Galvin, Massachusetts Historical
Commission – Emergency Grant for Acquisition
• Foundation Grants
- 1772 Foundation
- Henry Crapo Foundation
- Patrick Carney Foundation
- Island Foundation
• National Trust for Historic Preservation
Preservation Massachusetts
• Private Donations
- 100% participation from Board/Staff
- Members & Friends

57. Preservation Services
Tripp House – 24 Allen Street – CABH, Inc.

58. Preservation Services
Ingraham School

59. Advocacy
 State Historic Tax Credit
Demolition Delay By-Law
 Vacant Property Ordinance
 Preservation as a critical component of
Economic Development & Planning

60. PRESERVATION is a Tool for
• Revitalization
• Job Creation/Economic Development
• Neighborhood Development /Revitalization
• Heritage Tourism
• Interesting Places for us to Live, Work,
Play, and Learn

61. WHALE • Waterfront Historic Area LeaguE

62. Historic Preservation and Economic Development in New Bedford:
A True Story!
June 9, 2011
Derek Santos, Director of Business Development
New Bedford Economic Development Council
Massachusetts Association of Planning Directors
2011 Annual Conference
Historic Preservation as a Catalyst for City Revitalization,
Economic Development and Tourism

65. 10 Year Plan for
Sustainable Economic Development*
Public Safety & Educational Attainment of Community
EmergingSectors
Communications
Planning&Development
CatalyticProjects
WorkforceInvestment
Exist.&SmallBusiness
*NBEDC BOD 1.18.07

66. Private Investment $340M
Public Investment $57M
Jobs Retained 818
Construction Jobs 1659
2006-2010: The First Five Years
From Strategy to Results
Tax Revenue Increase FY09 $557,347
Jobs Created 1321

67. Massachusetts Gateway Cities*
FY06-10 Average Rate of Growth**
NewBedford
**DOR Division of Local Services
-1%
-2%
-0%
1%
2%
3%
4%
5%
Pittsfield
Fitchburg
FallRiver
Worcester
Lawrence
Haverhill
Lowell
Springfield
Brockton
*As defined by Mass Inc.

68. Planning Districts:
• Business Park
• Upper Harbor Development Plan
• River walk
• Acushnet Avenue Market Place
• Hick-Logan-Sawyer Growth District
• Harbor Master Plan Update
• Quest Center/Armory Development
• Route 18 Access Improvement
• Downtown Land Use & Retail Plan
• Downtown Action Plan
• South End Gate Way
• Airport
Citywide Initiatives:
• Comprehensive Master Plan
• Mill Inventory
• 2008-13 Open Space & Recreation Plan
• 2008 Market & Economic Analysis
• Streamlined Permitting
• Priority Development Sites
• Brownfield Assessment
• Sustainable Development Guidelines
• Commuter Rail
Thoughtful Planning

72. Victoria Riverside
$13M investment 65 construction jobs

73. Darnit! Manufacturing
$2.2M investment 10 new jobs
70 jobs retained

74. Cliftex North
$12M investment 65 construction jobs

75. Cliftex South
$25M investment 125 construction jobs

76. CITY OF NEW BEDFORD
SCOTT W. LANG, MAYOR