Washington, DC, February 26, 2004 – Chicago will make history and nearly 1,000 Chicago Historic Bungalow owners will gain new resources when on February 27th the Department of the Interior will approve three nominations—the Chicago Bungalow Multiple Property Listing and two distinct bungalow districts—for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places. The two districts are the Schorsch Irving Park Garden District and the South Park Manor District respectively in the Portage Park and Chatham communities.
The federal designation not only provides confirmation of the historic importance of these unique Chicago homes, but also provides property tax relief for Bungalow owners in the designated districts who spend an amount equal to 25% of their home's value for renovations and upgrades.
"This designation is not only acknowledgment of the unique role of the bungalow in the history of our great city, but it provides creative incentives for our bungalow owners. The tax break from the designation combined with existing City of Chicago programs are strong tools to encourage investment in Chicago's many bungalow-style homes," said Mayor Richard M. Daley, who launched the Historic Chicago Bungalow Initiative four years ago as a celebration of the homes and a vehicle to provide homeowners the means to renovate their bungalows. "Chicago is a city of world-class architecture and the bungalow remains our signature home. It's wonderful to see it receive this recognition."
"Bungalows represent Chicago in so many ways, and with this designation, we are preserving them," said U.S. Rep. Rahm Emanuel of Chicago, who helped push for the federal action. "What's so great about this initiative is that we were able to use existing law to provide tax relief to the benefit of thousands of Chicagoans. Mayor Daley's preservation vision paved the way for the designation, and I am pleased to be able to help."
The two districts included in the designation vary greatly from one another. The Irving Park Garden Historic District and the South Park Manor Historic District both have a significant number of Historic Bungalows, but are quite different in urban design. The Irving Park Garden Historic District in the Portage Park neighborhood was developed from 1917 to 1926 by a single developer, Albert Schorsch, working with two architects, resulting in a cohesive neighborhood that nonetheless had intentionally varied bungalow designs to give uniqueness to the streetscape. In contrast, the South Park Manor Historic District in Chatham, built between 1915 and 1927, features a great cluster of diverse bungalow designs due to the involvement of a myriad of developers and architects. The area is also unique among Chicago bungalow neighborhoods for its extraordinary landscape frame, with broad street frontage and 100-foot-deep setbacks. Both communities have been participating in public information sessions, led by Alderman Thomas Allen, 38th Ward (Irving Park Garden) and Alderman Freddrenna Lyle, 6th Ward (South Park Manor).
Owners of bungalows within these two National Register districts are eligible for the eight-year tax freeze when they spend 25 percent of the value of their homes for approved upgrades. The value of the house is frozen at the pre-rehabilitation assessed value for eight years and increases gradually over years nine through twelve to its true market value. As an example, a homeowner of a house valued at $150,000 before rehab work who added $50,000 in value would save a minimum of $17,100 over the 11-year period for which the freeze is in effect.
Outside of these two historic districts, individual bungalows and bungalow districts can be nominated for inclusion on the National Register, making them also eligible for the tax benefit. The HCBA is setting up a program to assist bungalow owners and community groups interested in nominating their bungalows to the National Register.
The designations came as a result of the leadership of Mayor Daley and Congressman Rahm Emanuel (D-IL), and a three year campaign by the Historic Chicago Bungalow Association to gain federal recognition of the historic homes. The effort was particularly challenging as it is almost unheard of for a 'Class of homes,' e.g. bungalow, to receive admission to the Register. In almost every other instance, designation has only been granted to entire neighborhoods or buildings.
"Our entire effort has been to encourage the purchase and restoration of the 80,000 homes that define nearly a third of Chicago's housing stock. Historic designation, with its tax benefits, is the logical next step in encouraging this activity," said Charles Shanabruch, executive director of the HCBA.
The National Register adds to the large package of resources available to bungalow owners, would-be owners and communities: special financing to purchase, restore and adapt Historic Chicago Bungalows; grants for energy efficiency; expedited permitting; monthly seminars and inexpensive pattern drawings for commonly undertaken renovations and additions. Those interested in accessing these benefits are encouraged to attend the annual Bungalow Expo, which brings bungalow enthusiasts together with contractors, materials suppliers, financial representatives and other experts. This year's Expo will be held at the Illinois Institute of Technology on May 1, 2004.
For more information on the applications for historic designation, call 312-642-9900. For information on resources available to bungalow owners through the Historic Chicago Bungalow Initiative.