Opinion and clarification: We favor retaining OHPC in its current form

Dear Editor,

In your recent article about the fate of the Owego Historic Preservation Commission (OHPC), you stated that my husband (Andrew Robertson) and I “had an issue with OHPC” over a house column, but that “after constructive criticism [we] were persuaded to conform.” This quote is technically accurate, but not entirely true to the spirit of my husband’s comments, as we strongly favor retaining the OHPC in its current form.

When Andrew and I moved to the Southern Tier with our two young children in 2010, we considered communities from Greene to Owego. I work at Binghamton University and had many colleagues who urged me to find a home close to campus. We chose Owego – not because we have roots or family here – but because we fell in love with the village, particularly its historic district.  

We still remember driving out 17C after a frustrating day of house hunting elsewhere, turning the corner at Front and John Street, and suddenly encountering the magic that is downtown Owego. When we saw a banner declaring the village to be the “coolest small town in America,” our whole family heartily agreed! Nowhere else between Oneonta and Corning (at the very least) can one find such a graceful collection of historic homes and commercial buildings in such a sublime natural setting.

Although Andrew and I did not realize it at the time, Owego’s unique charm owes much to the OHPC. Because the OHPC has certified local government status, homeowners and businesses in the historic district are eligible for tax credits and grants for restoring and renovating their properties that would otherwise be more difficult or impossible to get.  

Neighbors have used tax credits to elevate their homes, pay for flood-related repairs, paint, and restore chimneys, among other things. Numerous downtown businesses – including, most recently the Owego Kitchen and the Gateway building now under construction – have also made use of tax credits and/or historic preservation grants.  

As one Owegoan who lives outside the historic district noted at the recent meeting, the OHPC provides inspiration for those not residing within its jurisdiction.

Beyond the financial benefits made possible by the very existence of the OHPC, the commission has long provided both practical guidance and moral support to those who are interested in preserving the historic character of their homes and businesses. 

It is true that the OHPC has some legal clout – it must sign off on exterior renovations and restorations that are visible from the street – but this is the price of the financial benefits mentioned above. It is also the mechanism for honoring the town’s history and preserving its architectural heritage.  

My husband and I did not find the OHPC approval process overly burdensome.  When one of the columns on our front porch rotted out, we initially proposed replacing it with a fiberglass column that was an imperfect match. The OHPC encouraged us to keep searching for other alternatives and, with the help of commission members we were able to find a company capable of milling an exact replica out of water-resistant cedar. The expense was not onerous and we now know where to get columns should another rot out!

We do agree that the whole process would be greatly strengthened by the establishment of a local support-and-information group of the sort proposed by Richard Van Hall at the recent board meeting.  

Andy and I bought our home at 313 Front St. one month before the Great Flood of 2011. Being new to the area, we were not yet aware of the tax credits that we might have tapped for our repairs. When we had to replace our porch column five years later, Richard (a neighbor, former OHPC member, and old hand at Owego repairs) gave us lots of great advice about ways to match the base and the crown molding. We need to find a way to provide such “local knowledge,” born of experience, to all Owegoans located in the historic district before they begin their renovations.

Thus far, I have spoken as a resident of Owego’s historic district who loves my adopted hometown. But as someone who teaches courses on historical memory and public history at Binghamton University, I would also urge the Village Board to consider the economic value of historic preservation to both the Village and the Town.  

Heritage tourism is one of the fastest-growing segments of the leisure travel industry, and cultural/heritage tourists tend to spend more than the average U.S. traveler. One only has to walk downtown to see people from throughout the region (and often from other states) who are drawn to Owego by its antique shops and historic buildings – but who stayed to dine or browse for books, household decorations or earrings.  

At a time when retail stores are closing across America, shops continue to open in Owego! Study after study has also shown that historic preservation increases rather than decreases property values.  

While the 2011 flood took its toll on all of us, I have no doubt that Owego’s upward trajectory owes much to the tenacity with which it has protected its historic character. The OHPC has an important role to play in that story. I hope that it will not be weakened or disbanded.

Sincerely,

Wendy Wall (Robertson)

Owego, N.Y.