Neighborhoods that qualify as historic districts are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Inclusion on the National Register is an honor that imposes no restrictions on what a property owner may do with designated property.
State and local historical designation, by contrast, can be very restrictive depending on the municipality.
Although the designation carries with it no direct increase in property taxes, it could indirectly lead to one.
The designation allows property owners to apply for grants in order to preserve buildings within the district. There also are some tax credits available for historic preservation.
If people began investing in historic preservation, there would could come a time when market value increased, which would generally lead to an increase in property taxes.
However, not all improvements are equal.
A new roof that is consistent with the historical character of a building may not increase its actual value. In contrast, renovated and/or restored kitchens and bathrooms would.
Horlick Athletic Field, home to the Racine Belles of the 1940s, the present-day Racine Raiders and, in the 1920s, National Football League teams, would be part of the Carlisle Avenue Historic District should it receive that designation.
The district
The reconnaissance survey will examine an area to include Rapids Drive to the north, Memorial Drive to the east, State Street to the south and Summit Avenue to the west.
