City asking state to host historic resources department

Staff

Published Thursday, April 29, 2004

Suffolk News-Herald

The city is lobbying the state Department of Historic Resources to move its regional office from Portsmouth to Suffolk.

Randy Turner, director of the eastern regional office, confirmed this week that Suffolk is one of several cities that have made pitches to host the office. He is expecting a decision to be made within a month.

The office, which is staffed by three people, works with localities and individuals to preserve and exploit historic resources. The office recently worked with Suffolk officials to obtain state and historic landmark designations for the city's West End Historic District.

A community wishing to host the office must agree to provide free office space, Turner said. He said the office is currently in a building owned by the Portsmouth Redevelopment and Housing Authority, but that the PRHA has decided to sell the building.

Sen. Louise Lucas, whose district includes part of Suffolk, wrote a letter earlier this month to Kathleen S. Kilpatrick, director of the Department of Historic Resources, supporting the city's efforts to land the regional office.

A regional office in Suffolk would serve to strengthen the mission of local historical societies and would allow the agency to better respond to the needs of the area, Lucas noted.

"Given the number of preservation projects included in Suffolk's Comprehensive Plan to revitalize the downtown area, this arrangement would develop into a strong symbiotic relationship," Lucas wrote. "The impact of your presence would strengthen the 18th Senatorial District both economically and vicariously."

Downtown Development Director Elizabeth McCoury headed up efforts to lure the regional office to Suffolk. Her plans called for it to share space with the tourism department in the Prentis House.

"You can look out any window of the Prentis House and see a preservation project," McCoury said. "I think it would enhance our preservation efforts under way.

Tax credits are going to make such a huge difference in whether some of these historic buildings are preserved."

In addition to recent efforts, Turner note that the regional office has worked with Suffolk on the restoration of the former Suffolk High School, the train station and the Prentis House.

Turner had high praise for preservation efforts in Suffolk.

"They have done a remarkable job for a city of that size," he said.

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