Connecticut Preservation Action
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What We Do 
and how you can help

What We Do: 

Historic Preservation not only retains a sense of place,
it is a planning tool for economic re-investment and
sustainable development. 

Through lobbying, testimony, publicity, education, and communication, CPA watches, protects, and advocates for the expansion of support for historic preservation-friendly legislation in the state. We have eyes and ears at the capitol.
Activities include:
  • work closely with our preservation partners and the CT State Historic Preservation Office to set legislative agendas and strategies each legislative session
  • keep members informed and to call for support in contacting elected officials in support of the legislative agenda
  • sponsored educational events to notify developers of evolving legislation and expanding opportunities.
  • helped secure and maintain funding for the Community Investment Act (CIA) through education, lobbying and testimony on budget and other legislative items affecting preservation laws and funding
  • work with legislators to expand state tax credits allowing millions of more dollars to support historic preservation projects in Connecticut
  • ​lobby Congress to protect national preservation programs and funding for agencies

  •   For information about historic preservation resources in the state and near you, consult our member organizations.
Over 3 Decades of Accomplishments
1981    Connecticut Environmental Policy Act amendments   PA 81-177
1982    Connecticut Environmental Protection Act Amendments  PA 82-367
1983    State Building Code Regulations amended for Historic Buildings and Demolition Delay enabling legislation PA 83-187
1984    Preservation and Care of Ancient Burial Places & Memorials  PA 84-286
             Historic Properties legislation  PA 84-286
1985    Task force to study voting requirements for Local Historic Districts  PA 85-77
1987    State Scenic Roads legislation  PA 87-280
             Reduction in voting requirement to establish Local Historic Districts  PA 87-167
1992    Opposed merging Historical Commission within Department of Economic and Community Development
1994    Legislation establishing the Connecticut Main Street Program
1995    Opposed merging Historical Commission within CT State Library
1999    Legislation establishing CT Historic Homes Tax Credit  (C.G.S. 10-416)
2002    Opposed closing of State Museums
2003    Support for maintaining funding for Historic Homes Tax Credit
             Successful in maintaining essential preservation functions with the new Commission on  Arts, Tourism, Culture,     History and Film, now renamed the Commission on  Culture and Tourism
2005    Community Investment Act, creating funds available for grants for pre-development costs, local preservation organizations, open space purchases, affordable housing, and farmland preservation
2006    Legislation establishing Historic Structures Rehabilitation Tax Credit (C.G.S. 10-416a), for changing commercial or industrial property into residential use   ($15 million/year)
2007    Legislation establishing Historic Preservation Tax Credit (C.G.S. 10-416b), for changing commercial or industrial property into residential use or for a mixed use consisting of primarily residential uses ($50 million/3-year period)
2008    Face of Connecticut Steering Committee established, creating coalition of historic   preservation, farmland preservation, open space protection, and brownfields remediation
2009   Defended Community Investment Act against sweep for State Budget Deficit Mitigation
            Defended against a merger of CCT into DECD
            Defended against the elimination of historic rehab tax credits for Deficit Mitigation
2010    Successfully defended against the sweep of Community Investment Funds 5 out of 7 times
2011    Expansion of the definition of Certified Historic Structures and of future uses in the Historic Structures Rehabilitation and Historic Preservation Tax Credit Program.
2013    Expansion of the Historic Homes Tax Credit Program statewide
2014    Continued Support and Defense of the Community Investment Act

2015    Defended, the integrity of the Community Investment Act funds when Governor proposed to put them in the general budget; Saved a sweep,  preserving 50% of the proposed 100% sweep
2016    Defended, the integrity of the Community Investment Act funds when Governor's budget proposed to cut several million. Reduced to 1 million.
2017    Defended 
the integrity of the Community Investment Act funds when Governor's budget proposed to cut several million. 

How YOU can help advance CPA's mission and vision
See below slideshow for terrific tips on how to advocate for historic preservation in Connecticut!
Sample of Support Letters by CPA Board Member


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