ROGERS — Historic District commissioners hope to get City Council approval to expand the downtown district to match boundary lines drawn by the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program.
The change would provide an opportunity for building owners to apply for federal and state tax credits and grants for building preservation, officials said.
“We had a public hearing on this Wednesday at City Hall,” said Kerry Jensen, Main Street Rogers executive director, who also serves as the administrative assistant to the commission.“I haven’t received in any negative comments about the expansion of the district, so I don’t think it will be a problem.”
One of the buildings recently added to the historic district houses Oftedahl Photography, 214 W. Walnut St.
“I think its kind of neat to be included in the district now, although I kind of always thought we were part of the Historic District anyway,” said Gary Oftedahl, owner.
The Oftedahls live in an apartment over the photo studio. Oftedahl said he has no plans to change the exterior of the building, but that it’s nice to know there are financial benefits if he should decide to make changes.
“This building looks just like it did years ago and I expect we’ll keep it that way,” he said.
Don Pruitt, who owns a building on First Street near Cherry Street included in the boundary as drawn by the state, said he isn't concerned about being included within the proposed boundaries.
“I bought the building because it had historical significance. It was something I wanted to do. It’s long been a dream of mine to own a historic building and be part of downtown Rogers,” Pruitt said.
Patricia Blick with the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program said the recent expansion by the state was to protect the downtown district.
“We try to keep a historic district together for the sake of preserving a particular area. The buildings in the extension of our district met that criteria,” Blick said.
“Being listed on the (National Register of Historic Places) doesn’t do much for a building owner, it’s mostly a honor. It does mean something when the local historic district includes a building in their district,” she said. “When that happens, the building owner qualifies for a variety of help with projects that preserve the exterior of the building, including federal and state tax credits for preservation rehabilitation projects. Building owner can also file for grants to help pay for the project.”