The Town is currently offering a Historic Preservation Grant Program to owners of "Contributing Resources" to the Old Town Bluffton Historic District to financially assist in the preservation, restoration, or rehabilitation of these structures so, collectively, these will continue to represent the history of Bluffton.
Bluffton currently has 82 structures on its list of "Contributing Resources" which means these homes, churches, schools, and other resources (i.e., non-structures which include the Heyward and Huger coves,) significantly contribute to the Bluffton's history and tell a story about our collective past. Without these resources, meaningful components of Bluffton's history would be lost.
"Whether you are on Broadway or in Bluffton, the template to attract tourism and economic development all starts with historic preservation." Mayor Lisa Sulka, "Decades ago, New York's Broadway District was crime-ridden, then historic preservation of theatres began and now look at its decades-long prosperity.
"It's the same template with Bluffton. Preserve your 'sense of place' with historic preservation, tell the story of your community and pride and prosperity follows. Bluffton's Historic District represents our town's past, present and future."
Owners of qualifying structures in the Bluffton's Historic District can now apply for up to $30,000 for residential structures and for up to $20,000 grants for non-residential/commercial structures.
The owners of the 82 contributing structures, as well as any member of the public, are invited to the May 12 Open House in which Glen Umberger, the Town's historic preservationist, will detail the program. Please RSVP by May 6 by emailing Umberger. The Open House will be held at 6 pm at Town's Council Chambers.
The applications to the Historic Preservation Grant Program are available via:
- Historic Preservation Grant Application (Residential)
- Historic Preservation Grant Application (Non-Residential)
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