[MassHistPres] Tax Exemption for Restoration Project

[benjaminwmurphy at yahoo.com]

The Springfield Preservation Trust (SPT) recently purchased an 1832 property because it was quickly deteriorating, and we felt it was too important to lose. The property is zoned commercial and Springfield has a split property tax, where commercial property pays higher taxes. We would like to get a local tax exemption on the property tax because we expect the project to take at least a year to complete. Because it is part of the mission of SPT to restore and protect historic properties in Springfield I feel we are justified in the tax exemption. 

Has anyone had success in receiving a tax exemption with a project like this? SPT does not plan on occupying the building when it is complete.

Ben Murphy, President
Springfield Preservation Trust