TAP's founders believed in the value of historic buildings and because of that preservation commitment, many of Troy's landmarks stand today.

Our expertise -- and sense of the possible -- have helped save the Rice Building, a High Victorian Gothic building now home to high-tech businesses, as well as School 10, a Georgian Revival former school, reused as an apartment building.

TAP has left its preservation mark on other key buildings that have found new life in Troy, including Flanigan Square, The Arts Center of the Capital Region and The Winslow Building (The Junior Museum). TAP projects like the Herman Melville House, the Mary Warren Free Institute, as well as our work on classic Troy row houses, churches and firehouses have helped preserve historic Troy.

TAP offers a wide range of preservation services to Troy homeowners, commercial investors, non-profit and government organizations.

TAP's longstanding Design Assistance Program helps owners make sensitive, practical repairs to homes that convey Troy's rich and varied architectural history and contribute to the city's overall character. Encouraging owners to make appropriate repairs is preservation at its best, by allowing each neighborhood to retain its distinct architectural character. TAP associates visit the homeowner, pinpoint problems that need immediate attention and offer general advice about paint color, window repair and storm windows. This free program is funded by the New York State Council on the Arts, the New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal and the City of Troy's Community Development Block Grant.

Current or prospective owners of historic properties will have a fuller appreciation of balancing costs and sensitive treatment of historic buildings by enlisting TAP to perform an existing conditions report. The report includes a brief history of the building, a detailed assessment of all conditions, cost estimates and a code review.

Besides earning national recognition, nomination to the National Register of Historic Places offers real financial incentives to owners of commercial property.

Owners of nationally registered commercial, office, industrial or residential rental properties may take a 20 percent tax credit on the costs of certified rehabilitation. Simply put, the federal government bears 20 percent of the renovation.

National Register designation also makes such projects eligible for grants from the New York State Environmental Protection Fund/Clean Water Clean Air Bond Act.

TAX CREDIT CERTIFICATIONS:

To achieve the historic tax credit, the rehabilitation must meet federal standards administered by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and the National Park Service. TAP can act as liaison and document the rehabilitation to help the client earn the tax break.