November 21st, 2015 by WCBC Radio
The Cumberland Times News reports the Footer Dye Works building renovation project has been awarded $1.875 million in historical tax credits.
An agency of the Maryland Department of Planning, The Maryland Historical Trust announced Monday that six projects would share in $9 million of sustainable communities tax credits.
The four-story Footer building, which is being transformed into a mixed-use residential and commercial structure, was one of the six projects approved and the only project in Western Maryland to be awarded tax credits.
“We are excited. It allows the project to proceed,” said Dee Dee Ritchie, executive director of the Canal Place Preservation and Development Authority.
“We are pleased. There was no reason we wouldn’t get it. But we are happy with the credits and the support we have received from the community,” said Michael Joy, principal member of the Footer development team.
Ritchie said the tax credits will help offset the cost of refurbishing the 144 windows in the historic building. Restoring the windows is expected to cost well over $500,000.
“The windows are so very expensive. You have to do it by Maryland Historical Trust guidelines,” said Ritchie.
Another time consuming and expensive part is restoring the historic French clay tile roof. Aided by warm and dry autumn weather thus far, the roof renovation is progressing.
“It is going along very, very well. We are 40 percent done. It is going easier than expected. The weather has been helpful,” said Joy.
“We hope the weather holds out. They are making tremendous progress. We’re ahead of schedule,” said Ritchie.
The Footer building had been approved in 2014 for federal tax credits in excess of $2 million.
The officials hope the project will be completed by December 2016. The plans call for a brewpub on the first floor, offices on the second floor and loft apartments on the remaining floors.
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