City Register of Heritage Preservation Sites

Designating Heritage Preservation Sites

The City of Buffalo recognizes that the unique character of the community is largely dependent upon the protection of our local historic resources. Therefore, the designation of a site or object on the City’s Register of Heritage Places indicates that it has historic significance still evident today and shall be preserved to the greatest extent possible.

The Heritage Preservation Advisory Board (HPAB) is charged with cataloging and recommending to the City Council any areas, places, buildings, structures, lands, districts, or other objects to be designated as Heritage Preservation Sites on the City’s official Register.  The Heritage Preservation Guidelines that will be used to review potential Heritage Preservation Sites can be found here (PDF).

Demolition, new construction, or significant exterior alteration of a Heritage Preservation Site should consider the historic nature of that site. Consequently, all significant exterior changes to the site must be approved by the HPAB to remain on the City’s Register, while all exterior changes to buildings located in the downtown shall strive to meet the recommended building and design guidelines stated on page 44-45 of the 2040 Downtown Visions Plan. 

The City of Buffalo will keep a list of current Heritage Preservation Sites (coming soon), along with any Districts that may be created.

Read the 2011 Buffalo Historic Context Study (PDF)

Financial Benefits to Consider for Properties on City Register

Minnesota Historic Structure Rehabilitation Tax Credit Program

If a site is listed on the National Register of Historical Places, it is eligible for consideration under the Minnesota Historic Structure Rehabilitation Tax Credit Program through the Minnesota State Historic Preservation Office. This program benefits the owner, the occupants, and the community by: 

  • Encouraging protection of landmarks through the promotion, recognition, and designation of historic structures 
  • Increasing the value of the rehabilitated property and returning underutilized structures to the tax rolls 
  • Upgrading downtowns and neighborhoods and often increasing the amount of available housing within the community.

This program offers a 20% state tax credit for qualified historic rehabilitations and parallels the existing federal rehabilitation tax credit. It also offers project investors an option of a grant in lieu of a credit, whichever option best suits a developer's tax situation. The program requires an application with the State Historic Preservation Office before project work begins.

Federal 20% Rehabilitation Tax Credit Program

Historic Preservation Tax Credits are available to building owners interested in substantially rehabilitating historic buildings. Commercial, industrial, and rent-producing residential structures that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places or are a "contributing" structure within a National Register district qualify for a 20% investment tax credit. Buildings not currently on the National Register can use tax credits if they become listed.

A project may qualify for a 20% investment tax credit if:

  • It involves rehabilitation of a certified historic building used for income-producing purposes
  • The rehabilitation work follows the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation; and
  • The project receives preliminary and final approval from the National Park Service.

 Property owners, developers and architects must apply for the tax credit through the Minnesota State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) and are encouraged to work with SHPO staff to ensure that appropriate rehabilitation measures are followed. The Minnesota SHPO will then pass their recommendations on to the National Parks Service for approval.

City Register Nomination 

If you'd like to nominate a property to be added to the City Register of Heritage Places, you can begin the process by filling out this application form (PDF). Please contact Community Planning & Economic Development Director David Kelly at david.kelly@ci.buffalo.mn.us or by phone at 763-682-1181 for more information.