Historic preservation group seeks to expand Troy's Public Square National Register district; public meeting set April 28

Chris Manning, vice president of the Troy Historic Preservation Alliance, presented a proposal to expand the city's Public Square National Register Historic District at the April 6 council meeting.

Manning said the proposed expansion would increase the district from roughly 46 to 124 properties, primarily along Main and Market Streets, making more buildings eligible for state and federal historic preservation tax credits and grants. "Listing on the National Register of Historic Places is an honor that comes with certain potential benefits to property owners, including access to state and federal historic preservation tax credits, preservation grants and an increase in property values," he said.

THPA hired HistoryWorks LLC to complete a preliminary questionnaire at a cost of $3,300 paid by THPA, Manning said; the group plans a public informational meeting on Tuesday, April 28 at 6:00 p.m. in the basement room of the Troy-Miami County Public Library. Manning said the full nomination stage would cost about $23,000 and that the State Historic Preservation Office has already reviewed and approved revised boundaries for the proposal.

Manning clarified that placement on the National Register is largely honorific and "does not limit what a private property owner can do to their property," including demolition. He urged property owners and residents to attend the April 28 meeting and said THPA would pursue grants, including a pipeline grant, to fund the nomination and update Ohio Historic Inventory (OHI) forms (quoted cost of $8,500 to update forms alongside the nomination).

Council members asked questions about differences between the city's historic overlay district, the National Register district, and the Southwest Historic District. Manning emphasized collaboration among THPA, Troy Main Street, the State Historic Preservation Office and city staff as the process moves forward.