The recognition will mean potential tax credits for renovations and boosts to property values along with hope for a more stable future. The area accepted after about three years of work includes Gwyn Avenue along with parts of Spring Street, Church Street, Millview Road and North Bridge Street .
Teresa Howell, Elkin's Main Street manager, said the process for getting the streets and homes placed on the register was long and detailed. Residents came before the town board over three years ago to pursue the idea.
"I guess the actual start was when some of the residents wanted to see their property remain historic and property values to remain stable," Howell said. "That area was one of the first residential areas in the town of Elkin," she said. "We had just put downtown Elkin on the national register and discussed it with the lady who helped us do our research for that. She agreed to help do all of the research (for Gwyn avenue and surrounding areas). Its a lot of research," Howell said.
Gwyn Avenue resident Jeanna Snider said getting the area placed on the register helped with a since of a pride for home owners. "It was really a way to clean up Gwyn Avenue in a sense," Snider said Thursday. "The town was worried about Gwyn Avenue's future, and this was a way to do that and bring residents together."
Howell said Laura Phillips was hired by the town to do the necessary research for the National Register. With a total of 154 separate properties Phillips had to identify each, the date a structure was built and provide as many historic details about each as possible.
Howell said once the nomination report was completed it was then submitted to the State Preservation office in Raleigh. "The preservation office meets three times a year and goes over the applications in the order of they way they have been received," Howell said. "They passed it and then sent it on to Washington and the U.S. Department of the Interior and the National Park service for review." Howell said confirmation that the properties had been placed on the list came around the end of September.
The areas that are included in the historic district are: Gwyn Avenue from N. Bridge Street to E. Market Street; Spring Street from its eastern end, west to the Church Street intersection; Along Church Street from its intersection with Market Street to North Bridge Street, and North Bridge Street from Spring Street to just past Ridge Street.
Howell said being placed on the National Historic Register will be a plus to the residents in the area.
"One of the great benefits is the state and federal historic rehabilitation tax credit," Howell said. It is a 30 percent tax credit homeowners receive for investing in their properties in a way that protects their historic value.
She said homeowners would have to spend more than $25,000 on renovations in a 24-month period among other guidelines to receive the credit, with all of the improvements needing approval by the state.
"It is almost like spending a dollar and get 30 cents back," Howell said. "It is a nice benefit. Not only are you benefiting your property, you're benefitting yourself with the tax credit."
Snider said the group has planned a block party on Gwyn avenue to celebrate the achievement.
"It was for scheduled for Thursday but its going to be next Tuesday night," Snider said. "We're going to have food and a bluegrass band there. It is just for members of those streets to socialize and get to know their neighbors."
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