By Ryan Morden
Oswego, NY – U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand is introducing a measure that would encourage developers to restore historic buildings.
A tax credit already exists for historic renovation, Gillibrands proposal would expand it.
She was at the Landmark Theatre this weekend to roll out her plan.
Among other provisions, the Democrat said the bill would eliminate restrictions on non-profit and government tenants.
"There were restrictions on not-for-profits and on government agency tenancy in the tax credit properties. So now that we are changing that provision it will allow for more government use or not-for-profit use of buildings once they're [restored] so your expanding the pool of perspective tenants," said Gillibrand.
Syracuse Mayor Stephanie Miner said eliminating that restriction would be a boost for the city because the biggest employers are hospitals and schools.
"We can get Syracuse University off the hill, we can get SUNY Upstate, SUNY ESF all of those major employers and bring them down here because they are our one area of regional economic development that is actually growing and has great potential for great high quality jobs," said Miner.
Gillibrand said she is going to try and add the tax credit proposal to one of the upcoming jobs bills in the U.S. Senate.