Last fall, we reported that the State of New York had declared Chinatown and Little Italy a single historic district. Over the weekend, the Two Bridges Neighborhood Council announced the new district has also just been added to the National Register of Historic Places. According to Two Bridges:
Listing on the National Register recognizes the importance to the history of our country of the properties within the historic district boundaries, and provides them with a measure of protection. In addition, owners of income producing properties may qualify for income tax benefits. Properties owned by municipalities and not-for-profit organizations are eligible to apply for state historic preservation matching grants. Two Bridges is planning a series of presentations in April 2010 to property owners to explain the benefits of the historic designation. These presentations will include professionals from the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. Notices will be provided of the dates, time and places. This important designation adds further impetus to the crucial efforts underway to promote the quality of life and the economies of Chinatown and Little Italy, and for recognizing them as important cultural and educational destinations for tourists and visitors as the traditional haven for thousands of Chinese and Italian immigrant families who contribute so much to our national prosperity and heritage.
