For Immediate Release
June 14, 2018
Alabama Historical Commission, Marketing & Public Relations Manager: Jacqulyn Kirkland, 334-230-2645 or jacqulyn.kirkland@ahc.alabama.gov
VAUGHAN-WOOLWORTH BUILDING PROJECT APPROVED FOR FEDERAL TAX CREDITS
On May 1, 2018, the Vaughan-Woolworth Building project in Selma, Alabama, was approved by the National Park Service for the twenty-percent federal rehabilitation tax credit program.
The Romanesque Revival building is a contributing resource to Selma’s Old Town Historic District, which was originally listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.
Paul T. Vaughan, a local cotton planter and broker constructed the building around 1890. Several businesses occupied the first floor in the early 1900s, including Denton’s Drug Store and Thrash and Watt’s Pool Hall. Several doctors, insurance agents, and an architect occupied the second- floor offices.
Vaughan sold the building to Julius Adler in 1927 and in October 1937 the building was leased by the F. W. Woolworth Company. Some alterations were completed by the Woolworth Company, including the relocation of the staircase. Woolworth’s operated a store in the building until the late 1970s.
The current owner rehabilitated the Vaughan-Woolworth Building for use as commercial and residential space. The first floor was rehabilitated for use as a restaurant, while the second-floor offices were rehabilitated as apartments. Work on the exterior consisted of repair and repainting of exterior wood surfaces, including the storefront, windows and trim. On the interior, wood floors were refinished, while walls, ceilings, doors, trim and mantles were repaired and repainted.
The National Park Service oversees the Preservation Tax Incentive program jointly with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). To qualify, the building must be listed in the National Register, either individually or in a historic district. Additionally, the property must be used for income-producing purposes. For more information concerning standards and guidelines please visit
www.nps.gov/tps/tax-incentives.htm and
http://ahc.alabama.gov/federaltaxcredits.aspx
The Alabama Historical Commission manages the program for the National Park Service in the state of Alabama. The Commission administers the federal restoration guidelines so the historic materials and look of the building remain.
Renovating and reusing these historic buildings is a win-win situation for the owner and the community.
About the Alabama Historical Commission
Located in historic downtown Montgomery at 468 S. Perry Street, the Alabama Historical Commission is the state historic preservation agency for Alabama. The agency was created by an act of the state legislature in 1966 with a mission to protect, preserve and interpret Alabama’s historic places. AHC works to accomplish its mission through two fields of endeavor: Preservation and promotion of state-owned historic sites as public attractions; and, statewide programs to assist people, groups, towns, and cities with local preservation activities. For a complete list of programs and properties owned and operated by the AHC, hours of operation, and admission fees please visit ahc.alabama.gov
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