State officials from toured downtown Winchester on Monday as part of a two-day trip around the theme of “Prosperity Through Preservation.” Historic tax credits were discussed in conjunction with Winchester’s success stories, such as the Lovett building, as well as the ongoing projects at the Solenberger building and Taylor Hotel, among others.<\/p>\n
Rebecca Layne of the Star reports:<\/p>\n
[Doug] Domenech [Virginia secretary of natural resources] was often unable to hold back his enthusiasm, at one point describing the downtown as “the place to be.”<\/p>\n
“It’s very impressive what’s happening here,” he said. “You’ve got the right combination of public and private commitment. There’s a real vision here to transform the downtown.<\/p>\n
“We’re here to discover ways the Department of Historic Resources can be involved more in Winchester,” he went on, adding that the DHR administers the tax-credit program.<\/p>\n
Jim Deskins, executive director of the Economic Development Authority and economic redevelopment director for the city, led much of the tour. “What the whole revitalization is about is reaching back into the past and dusting it off and putting it back into the future,” he said.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Click here for the Winchester’s Star coverage of the tour downtown (login required).<\/a><\/p>\n
Click here for the related Open Forum by Bob Bartley (login required).<\/a><\/p>\n
Click here for TV3’s coverage of the plans for the Taylor.<\/a><\/p>\n