Resolution 250665

..Title Calling on the United States Congress to facilitate the immediate release of FY25 Historic Preservation Fund funding. ..Body WHEREAS, National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (NHPA) represents nearly 60 years of commitment by the federal government to invest in historic places across the nation; and WHEREAS, The designation of State Historic Preservation Offices (SHPOs), Tribal Historic Preservation Offices (THPOs), and Certified Local Governments (CLGs), ensures local expertise of historic resources; and WHEREAS, The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission houses the PA SHPO and the City of Philadelphia is a CLG; and WHEREAS, Under the NHPA, the Historic Preservation Fund (HPF) serves as the cornerstone to providing technical and financial assistance to preserve historic places and America's heritage, identify and coordinate the listing of historic properties and archeological sites on the National Register of Historic Places, conducting the review of federally mandated Section 106 undertakings, and achieving economic prosperity through the revitalization of deteriorated properties through state review of Historic Tax Credit projects; and WHEREAS, Despite being appropriated by Congress in March 2025, Fiscal Year 2025 funds have not been released to SHPOs, THPOs, & competitive grant programs under the HPF; and WHEREAS, Without this appropriated funding, States and Tribes will be forced to eliminate the federally required staff who review federal projects, identify and protect historic properties, and provide support to communities - jeopardizing billions in investment; and WHEREAS, Furthermore, the President's proposed Fiscal Year 2026 budget seeks to eliminate the HPF almost entirely; and WHEREAS, This proposal will undoubtedly slow down or halt infrastructure and historic tax credit rehabilitation projects - discouraging private investment & hampering economic growth; and WHEREAS, Congress must continue its bipartisan commitment to our nation's history, ahead of the 2026 Semiquincentennial - by proposing FY26 appropriations necessary for SHPOs & THPOs to carry out the requirements of the NHPA, emphasizing their role as stewards of our nation's history; and by investing in preservation projects that recognize the past, with an eye toward the future; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Hereby calls upon the United States Congress to facilitate the immediate release of fiscal year 2025 appropriated dollars for the Historic Preservation Fund. ..End