SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - Officials say they're seeing an uptick in historic renovation projects in the Springfield area thanks to low interest rates, federal historic tax credits and more awareness of the significance of historic buildings.
Springfield Historic Sites Commission vice chairman Steve Myers says he believes there are more projects going on amid an "increased appreciation for history."
Lisa DiChiera, advocacy director for Landmarks Illinois, says the historic preservation advocacy group is seeing a rebound from a gloomy real estate market. She says there's an effort in Springfield and elsewhere to renovate key buildings.
Landmarks Illinois' Springfield director Frank Butterfield says historic redevelopment also has been boosted by the expansion of the downtown Central Springfield Historic District, which makes another 83 buildings eligible for tax credits.
