Energy, historic tax credits focus of 2nd annual GR property owners workshop

By: Deborah Johnson Wood

State and federal historic preservation tax credits, boosting a building’s energy efficiency, federal energy tax credits, and general do-it-yourself repairs are the topics of an upcoming workshop sponsored by the City of Grand Rapids Planning Department and the Historic Preservation Commission.

The so-called Preservation Workshop on House Remedies and Tax Incentives is for residential and commercial property owners, whether or not their property is an historic property.

"This past year everybody’s concern has been the rising price of gas for heating," said City Historic Preservation Specialist Rhonda Saunders. "This workshop is focused on getting people the knowledge and tools to help them make their homes and businesses more energy efficient."

• Robbert McKay from the State Historic Preservation Office will explain the historic tax credits for improving historic properties.
• Bob Fegan from DTE Energy will present ideas for making a building more energy efficient and will discuss the tax credits provided by the Federal Energy Policy Act of 2005.
• Brian Black will conduct a workshop on do-it-yourself repairs.

"The things participants learn in the energy efficiency portion and the things they learn in the do-it-yourself portion are all things they could use to apply for the tax credits," Saunders said. "This is an educational tool to help people find these avenues."

Although the presentations will be conducted simultaneously, participants can learn from them all; each presentation will be videotaped and converted to DVD for distribution through the Grand Rapids Public Library and the neighborhood associations.

This free workshop is scheduled for 6:30 to 9:30 PM on Monday, May 21, at Central High School, 421 Fountain Street SE.

Source: Rhonda Saunders, City of Grand Rapids Planning Department

Deborah Johnson Wood is Development News Editor for Rapid Growth Media. She can be contacted at [email protected].