Toccoa Historic Commercial District Receives Statewide Award

ATLANTA, May 18, 2009— Toccoa Historic Commercial District in Stephens County, Ga. received an award for Excellence in Rehabilitation from The Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation at its 31st Annual Preservation Awards ceremony Friday night in Augusta .

Urban Renewal practices of the late 1960s resulted in the construction of large concrete canopies in Toccoa’s Historic Commercial District. These canopies altered traffic flow and masked the historic architecture of the buildings in the district.

Beginning in 2007, Toccoa’s Historic Commercial District embarked on a two phase rehabilitation project. Phase I consisted of removing the concrete canopies, and Phase II reopened Doyle St. to vehicular traffic. The project increased interest in local preservation efforts and prompted a builder-training workshop, further exposing contractors to preservation techniques and the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation. Additionally, the regional Historic Preservation Planner prepared preservation design plans for each building, and allowed owners of buildings suffering extensive damage the choice between rehabilitating their building to the style existing at the time of the concrete canopy construction or the style intended by the building’s original architect. This option resulted in a variety of architectural styles represented in the district.

Though early on this plan faced protests and debates, its implementation proved a success for businesses, residents and visitors of Toccoa. Since the project, the relocation of businesses to Toccoa’s downtown and a renewed interest in the surrounding historic residential neighborhoods continues. The rehabilitation of Toccoa’s Historic Commercial District shows that sound preservation policies strengthen local economies, instill confidence, and provide new opportunities for businesses and consumers.

For 31 years, the Trust has recognized preservation projects and individuals in the state who have made significant contributions to the field of historic preservation. Awards are presented on the basis of the contributions of the person or project to the community and/or state and on compliance to the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation.

Excellence in Rehabilitation awards recognize projects that make compatible use of a building through repair, alterations or additions while preserving features of the property that convey its historic value. This year the Trust presented fourteen Excellence in Rehabilitation awards.

The Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation is one of the country’s largest statewide, nonprofit preservation organizations. Founded in 1973, the Trust is committed to preserving and enhancing Georgia’s communities and their diverse historic resources the education and enjoyment of all.

The Trust generates community revitalization by finding buyers for endangered properties acquired by its Revolving Fund; provides design assistance to 102 Georgia Main Street cities and encourages neighborhood revitalization; trains Georgia’s teachers in 63 Georgia school systems to engage students in discovering state and national history through their local historic resources; and advocates for funding, tax incentives and other laws aiding preservation efforts.

To learn more about The Georgia Trust and the Preservation Awards, visit http://www.georgiatrust.org/.

Main Street Toccoa recognized by Georgia Trust

Work completed last year in Historic Downtown Toccoa is continuing to garner the interest of the state.

At an award ceremony in Augusta on Friday, May 15, Main Street Toccoa received the "Excellence in Rehabilitation" award from Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation, in which they recognized the canopy removal project and subsequent efforts to preserve downtown buildings.
Connie Tabor, Toccoa’s Community Planning and Downtown Development Director, and Chip Wright, GA Mountains RDC Preservation, received the award on behalf of the City of Toccoa at The Georgia Trust’s Spring Ramble, held at the Sacred Heart Cultural Center. Wright nominated Toccoa.

"It’s encouraging to see the interest state leaders have in our historic district," said Tabor. "This award shows that Georgia is pointing to Toccoa when they think of good examples of preservation policies being used to strengthen local economies and create new business and consumer opportunities."

"The 2009 Georgia Preservation Awards illustrate the best preservation activity in the state, and we are pleased to recognize Toccoa for its significant contribution to preservation," said Mark McDonald, President and CEO of the Georgia Trust.

The mission of the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation is to promote an appreciation of Georgia’s diverse historic resources and provide for their protection and use to preserve, enhance, and revitalize Georgia’s communities.