State of Illinois Issues Statement of Eligibility for Kankakee Downtown Historic District

KANKAKEE, IL – July 8, 2016 – After initial assessment, the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency has determined that the Kankakee Downtown Historic District is eligible for nomination to the National Register of Historic Places. In correspondence dated July 5, the agency informed local project partners that the proposed district meets National Register criteria for both historical and architectural significance.

The City of Kankakee, Kankakee Development Corp. and the Economic Alliance of Kankakee County are pursuing the honorary National Register of Historic Places designation in an effort to secure tax incentives for preservation-based property rehabilitation.

Carlile Architects of Kankakee is consulting on the project, which will involve submission of a comprehensive nomination by October, presentation to the Illinois Historic Sites Advisory Council in December, and final reviews by both the IHPA and the Keeper of the National Register, Washington, D.C. If approved, a National Register designation for Downtown Kankakee would be official in early 2017.



“Downtown Kankakee is in the midst of a real renaissance, with both public and private investment accelerating,” noted Kankakee Development Corp. Executive Director Bill Yohnka. “National Register designation brings with it tangible cost savings for further private real estate rehabilitation in our urban core.”

“The 20% federal income tax credit for qualifying property rehabilitation is really what we’re after with this initiative,” explained Economic Alliance Director of Marketing & Business Attraction Lisa Wogan. “A National Register designation would position Kankakee well to attract developers who appreciate the value of both historic architecture as well as these revitalization incentives.”

The proposed Kankakee Downtown Historic District is made up of 71 buildings loosely bound by East Avenue to the west, Oak Street to the north, Harrison Avenue to the east and Station Street to the south. According to the IHPA’s initial assessment, the majority of income-producing properties within the proposed district built between 1861 and 1966 would be contributing and thereby eligible for the 20% federal income tax credit for qualifying property rehabilitation.

Because being listed to the National Register of Historic Places is an honorary designation, the status does not: