State preservationists announce 2005 grants program.

The Preservation League of New York State and the New York State Council on the Arts have announced the 2005 Preserve New York Grant Program.

The program provides funding to municipalities and not-for-profit organizations, and supports three types of projects only: historic structure reports, historic landscape reports and cultural resource surveys.

Through the program, the Preservation League, a statewide, not-for-profit organization, and the Council, the state's arts funding agency, seek to support efforts to plan for the preservation, restoration and rehabilitation of historic buildings and landscapes throughout the state.

The Preservation League especially encourages projects that link preservation to smart growth land use planning; neighborhood and "Main Street" revitalization; preservation initiatives along rural roads and other historic transportation corridors; and projects that involve the continued use of historic municipal buildings and historic bridges.

Municipalities and not-for-profit organizations with 501(c)(3) status are eligible to apply unless they are applying for funding directly from the New York State Council on the Arts' Architecture, Planning and Design Program (APD) for another project in 2005. Groups are limited to one project with APD support per year. State agencies and religious institutions are ineligible for support. Groups that previously received funding through this grant program must have successfully completed their projects to be eligible for the 2005 grant round.

The grant panel members will evaluate: architectural and historic significance of the building, landscape or area; the need for the project and for financial support at this time; the applicant group's ability to carry out the project within a stated schedule; the applicant group's ability to raise sufficient funds to complete the project; the appropriateness of the project budget and consultant(s); extent of local support for the project; and the likelihood that significant restoration or planning work will result.

A total of $76,600 is available and will be split among all three project types. Grants are likely to range between $3,000 and $15,000 each.

No formal financial match is required, however, the Preservation League and the New York State Council on the Arts expect to see a project budget that reflects the applicant's meaningful commitment to the project.

Please note that it is unlikely that this program will be able to provide full support for any project. It is also expected that the consultant fee structure reflects the applicant's understanding of the value of these professional services.

Applications must be postmarked no later than Monday, May 2, 2005. Please follow the directions included in the application for assembling the packets. Forms are not available online. If your organization and project meet these guidelines, contact the League to discuss your project and receive an application form: Tania G. Werbizky, Director, Technical and Grant Programs, [phone] or Lorraine E. Weiss, Program Manager, [phone], ext. 12, or [e-mail].