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Benton added to register of historic places |
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Wednesday, 20 August 2008 |
Downtown area now on U.S. list
The Benton commercial historic district, which encompasses several blocks downtown, has been added to the National Register of Historic Places, the country’s official list of historically significant properties.
The area, which only recently became a historic district, includes the Saline County Courthouse, all of the buildings in the 100 block of North Market Street, most of the structures in the 100 block of South Market Street, many of the structures in the 100 block of West South Street, some of the structures in the 100 block of West Sevier Street and most of the structures in the 100 block of North Main Street.
Regions Bank and First United Methodist Church are not included in the district because they were built too recently, said Marsha Guffey, the city’s director of community development.
“Fifty-one percent of the buildings in the area must be historic structures,” Guffey explained.
“Sharon’s Diner is included and Posey’s Service (formerly an Oldsmobile dealership) is part of it,” she said. “And the Sevier Street block that includes the pool hall, across from the courthouse, is included.”
“Arkansas can feel proud to have a large and growing representation of these tangible links to our past,” said Frances McSwain, director of the Department of Arkansas Heritage.
Several of the downtown structures included in Benton’s historic district already are listed individually on the National Register. These include the Royal Theatre, the Saline County Republican Headquarters (officially known as the Odd Fellows Building), the Gann House and the county courthouse.
National Register properties may be eligible for a 20 percent investment tax credit if they are rehabilitated for income-producing purposes, McSwain pointed out.
“National Register properties owned by nonprofit agencies or local governments also are eligible to apply for grant funding from the Department of Arkansas Heritage,” she said.
The Royal Theatre, in the past, has received one of these grants, which was used to make roof repairs and add restroom additions, including a handicap-accessible bathroom, to the 1919 structure.
Owners of National Register properties may be able to make charitable contributions of partial interest in their sites or structures, which can result in a sizable tax deduction, McSwain said.
The Preservation Program also offers free technical advice to owners of National Register properties to help the owners maintain their properties in a historically accurate condition, she noted.
“We offer this service so that property owners can avoid making historically insensitive alterations, such as the addition of artificial siding, which could result in the removal of the property from the National Register,” McSwain said.
“Finally, the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program offers a certificate, signed by the governor, that acknowledges a property’s placement on the National Register,” she said.
The certificates are free on request. The agency also can provide information to those interested in purchasing bronze plaques that recognize a property’s National Register status.
In keeping with Benton’s historic district, the city recently approved the establishment of a historic district commission, which will include five-nine members appointed by Mayor Rick Holland with the advice and approval of the City Council.
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