Historic preservation is recognized as an economic development and community building tool, as well as a primary tool of downtown and inner city development. In the past 30 years politicians, bankers, developers, planners, architects and others have joined the preservation community in recognizing that historic buildings, districts and neighborhoods can lend a sense of character and quality to a community that is impossible to achieve any other way.

Speaker Donovan Rypkema gave a summary of those benefits, as well as a warning, when he said: "The man-made physical environment gives us a sense of history, a sense of belonging, a sense of identity, a sense of stability, a sense of place, a sense of our values. When we raze buildings that provide that sense we have tacitly decided that those values are not worth saving. Quality of life is fragile. Things that make up any community's quality of life need to be identified, enhanced and protected. Resurrecting the older character and history of places requires vision, blending old with new and an appreciation that place character is a valuable asset in retaining firms and people, and in attracting new investment and businesses."

Richard Moe stressed the economic impact of preservation: "Preservation isn't just good for the soul; it's good for business, too. Data from the US Commerce Department show that $1 million spent on rehabilitation creates five more construction jobs and three more permanent jobs than the same $1 million spent on new construction."

Columbus has done much to help the preservation movement, particularly in creation of residential historic districts and administration of design review in those districts. At the same time, too many historic properties are being lost in downtown Columbus, in the neighborhoods and in neighborhood commercial districts. The City of Columbus has yet to develop a formal policy on preservation and has not evaluated the disincentives that prevent preservation projects from going forward. What is the effect of current code enforcement policies, parking policies and building permit and inspection procedures? Are there adequate sources of investment capital for older areas? What sorts of monetary and non-monetary incentives will encourage greater reuse of existing structures? Until Columbus asks and answers those questions it cannot gain all the benefits the preservation movement has to offer.

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