Highland Springs earns designation as historic place

Local and state government officials formally recognized approximately 60 blocks of Highland Springs as new additions to the Virginia Landmarks Register and the National Register of Historic Places at a news conference at the Henrico Theatre Thursday morning.

The new historic district of Highland Springs is composed of the Nine Mile Road commercial corridor and the surrounding residential area that is bisected by Holly Avenue. In total, Highland Springs had nearly 16,000 citizens as of the 2010 Census.

The announcement came after nearly four years of planning, said Julie Langan, director of the Virginia Department of Historic Resources. Officials surveyed more than 400 acres and nearly 2,400 buildings during that time to determine eligibility. The region met two out of the four criteria, she said, which convinced officials at her office that it would be a good candidate.

Among the qualities that helped it qualify for the registry: a grid pattern layout. This layout aligns with the original 1890 subdivision and was designed as a streetcar subdivision, Langan said.

The project to get Highland Springs added on the registry was led by Mark Strickler, director of the Henrico Department of Community Revitalization. Strickler was happy to see all the work pay off and witness the approval of the Highland Springs Historic District.

“This is documentation of what we’ve already known: Highland Springs is rich in historical resources and character,” Strickler said.

The historical district contains more than 1,000 historic resources, both residential and commercial. By being formally added to the national registry, these resources may be eligible for state and federal tax credits that will help with the cost of rehabilitation. At the federal level, 20 percent of eligible expenses can be credited, while 25 percent of eligible expenses can be credited at the state level, according to information shared by officials.

The idea is reinvestment and renewal, said Varina District Supervisor Tyrone Nelson, whose district includes Highland Springs.

“This is reinvestment into Highland Springs,” Nelson said. “We are putting more into a community that has been around for a while.”

While residents and investors can use the historic tax credits to rehabilitate properties in the historic district by matching the registry standards, the option to historically renovate is optional. Redevelopment is still an option for property owners in the district if they choose to opt-out, but the hope is that they will opt-in, said Henrico County Manager John Vithoulkas.

Officials first informed citizens about the project when surveying began four years ago. Local residents also will receive a letter from the Virginia Department of Historic Resources and a brochure in the mail about the opportunities they now may pursue, Strickler said.

A website (historichighlandsprings.com) designed to provide more information about the district – including its history and details for applying for tax credits and links to more resources – also is planned.