The States Neighborhood in McComb is one step closer to being added to the National Register of Historic Places.
The McComb Historic Preservation Commission held a public hearing Thursday night to discuss the results of a four-year survey of the district, what happens next in the process and what the change could mean for residents and business owners.
Bill Gatlin with Mississippi Department of Archives & History repeatedly mentioned the importance of preserving historic buildings, sites and districts around Mississippi, and he believes the States Neighborhood could easily make the list.
“We think preservation is a good idea,” Gatlin said. “It is good for our economy, it is good for our social history, and it is good for the aesthetic of our community.”
Gatlin said places are listed based on national, state or local history based on engineering, architectural or archeological significance.
Buildings nominated for the register must be at least 50 years old and retain the historic character that defines the area.
The district is bordered by Delaware Avenue to the north, Third Street to the east, Pennsylvania Avenue to the south and Seventh Street to the west.
Hollywood Cemetery, which is slightly further west, also will be included.
“Cemeteries in and of themselves are not eligible for the registry, but we list them all the time because we list them for their artistic merit and the way they exemplify over time how we have chosen to commemorate and memorialize our dead,” Gatlin said.
According to the four-year survey of the area, there are 531 contributing buildings and structures in the States Neighborhood and 106 non-contributing buildings.
Since the focus period for the area is 1872 to 1964, anything built after that time or renovated to not reflect the original period does not count as a contributing structure.
Gatlin said there are a few misconceptions about properties that are added to the national registry. If added, buildings will not be required to be open to the public and new regulations are not imposed on property owners.
One major benefit, Gatlin said, is that contributing buildings and structures are eligible for federal and state tax credits. A 20 percent federal tax credit is available for renovation projects to income-producing buildings, but both business owners and homeowners in the area can use a 25 percent Mississippi state income tax credit.
“In this particular district, the state credit is going to be a more important tool,” Gatlin said.
Gatlin said the next step is a Mississippi National Register review board meeting at 1 p.m. Thursday at the Charlotte Capers building in Jackson to vote on the nomination. If approved, the decision is left to the keeper of the National Register of Historic Places, and Gatlin believes the nomination will pass with flying colors within about 45 days.
McComb has five places listed on the register: the Brentwood house on Delaware Avenue, the Holmes house on Third Street, the White-Alford house on White Boulevard, the downtown district and the Kramertown-Railroad district. The Brentwood and Holmes houses are both in the States Neighborhood.
