Colfax downtown tour precedes state application for Main Street designation

Representatives from the state’s Department of Archeology, Historic Preservation Commission, along with members of the Colfax Downtown Association and others, toured Main Street in downtown Colfax last Thursday.

The group observed historic architecture, took pictures and videoes of historic buildings. They also checked out St. Ignatius Hospital.

Colfax Mayor Todd Vanek and City Administrator Michael Rizzitiello, who is vice president of Colfax’s Downtown Association, accompanied the group.

If Main Street is officially designated a Main Street Community it would allow tax credits to property owners.

Rizzitiello said project costs for development of an historic building could qualify for deductions with the Internal Revenue Service on the federal level and credits on the B&O taxes on the state level.

The state has already designated Main Street as an historic district.

Rizzitiello also explained that the Downtown Association must come up with a work plan and have a half time staff member by the time the association applies for the Main Street designation.

The application deadline is November, and official notification could come as early as December, he said.