Contact: Mary Lou Keenon
Communications
Telephone: 517/373-0011

Bryan Lijewski
State Historic Preservation Office
Telephone: 517/373-1631

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 10, 2010

City of Monroe Offers Workshop on
Historic Preservation Tax Credits for Residential and Commercial Properties

State Historic Preservation Office architect Bryan Lijewski will meet with Monroe property owners and developers at a free workshop on Thursday, February 18. The event is being presented by the Monroe Historic District Commission.

Lijewski will discuss Federal and State Historic Preservation Tax Credits and the recently enacted Enhanced Tax Credits that are available through the state of Michigan. The Enhanced tax credit makes $9 million available in historic preservation credits for 2010. Lijewski
will be joined by Tracy Oberleiter, senior vice president of Monroe Bank and Trust; Jeffrey Green, city planner; and Jim Jacobs of James S. Jacobs Architects for a panel discussion on financing, approval requirements and new opportunities.

"In Monroe many of the buildings are listed in the National Register of Historic Places and are designated local historic districts," stated Lijewski. "The quality of the buildings and the historic designations, combined with the economic incentives available to small business
owners, developers, and homeowners at this time put Monroe in a good place to take
advantage of its assets."

The free workshop will take place from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm, 4th Floor Conference Room of the Monroe Bank and Trust, 10 Washington Street, Monroe. Participants should RSVP by emailing HDC@monroemi.gov.

The State Historic Preservation Office is part of the Michigan State Housing Development Authority. The Michigan State Housing Development Authority is dedicated to building a thriving and vibrant future for Michigan. MSHDA provides tools and resources to improve people's lives through programs across the state. These programs assist with housing, build strong neighborhoods, and help
create places where people want to live and work. MSHDA's programs work in four areas: affordable rental housing; supporting homeownership; ending homelessness; and creating vibrant cities and neighborhoods. For further information on this or other MSHDA programs, go to www.michigan.gov/mshda.*

*MSHDA's loan and operating expenses are financed through the sale of tax-exempt and taxable bonds as well as notes to private investors, not from state tax revenues. Proceeds are loaned at below-market interest rates to developers of rental housing, and help fund mortgages and home improvement loans. MSHDA also administers several federal housing programs.

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