Adams + Associates Architecture's (A+AA) location on Main Street in Mooresville, NC, gives the firm an intimate perspective on downtown revitalization. Ross Adams owns and operates his business from what was once the oldest department store in Mooresville. He saw the value in downtown buildings and in 1994 purchased and became the first to re-occupy the long abandoned second floor. In 2007, Adams renovated his 1912 Main Street building to creatively convey its contemporary use as an architectural firm. The firm was presented with a Downtown Beautification Award for preserving and restoring the historic landmark by the Mooresville Downtown Commission. Through first hand knowledge, A+AA recognizes that protecting, rehabilitating, and making appropriate alterations to old and historic buildings:

• Restores their historic, architectural, and cultural value
• Gives them a place in the contemporary real estate market
• Ensures continued use, economic value, and smart investment
• Conserves existing resources and inherently employs sustainable design strategies

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Adams + Associates Architecture has completed the rehabilitation of several local retail and commercial buildings and is expanding services to include certified historic preservation. Expertise in rehabilitation coupled with decades of retail and various other architectural venues throughout the country has given A+AA the opportunity to obtain the knowledge to successfully plan and complete certified historic preservation projects. A+AA's Rehabilitation and Historic Preservation Studio services also include feasibility studies either prior to acquisition or to aid current property owners in making the decision to rehabilitate. This service can be valuable to a property owner as advanced planning increases the likelihood of a successful rehabilitation.

Many architects are overwhelmed or deterred from rehabilitation projects because code compliance for new uses can be very complex. Extensive knowledge and experience with the rehabilitation code assures A+AA's ability to guide the owner in dealing with the complex design issues that deal with new use requirements such as:

• Fire protection
• Accessibility
• Energy efficiency
• Updating electrical, mechanical and plumbing systems

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Rehabilitation Tax Credits - Additional incentives to property owners considering rehabilitation are combined state and federal tax credits up to 40% that may be available for qualified expenditures for certified rehabilitations of qualified buildings. Understanding and implementing the mandatory criteria required by the Secretary of the Interior to ensure tax credit eligibility can be a complicated task. A+AA can walk the client step by step throughout the process with the following consulting services:

• Inform the client of options and requirements to ensure that the building preservation meets the Department of Interiors' Standards for a certified rehabilitation
• Help the client determine if their building is considered a qualified building based upon the National Park Service Criteria.
• Aid the client in differentiating between qualified and unqualified expenditures.
• Prepare and submit the required three-part submission to The Secretary of the Interior.
• Prepare and submit construction documents
• Assist the client and his tax professional with obtaining the required documentation to prove eligibility for the Certified Rehabilitation Tax Credit.

Energy Efficiency Tax Deductions - Further incentives may be realized in the form of tax deductions when strategies to include energy efficiency and sustainability are included as part of a rehabilitation.

• A+AA will identify and recommend sustainable design and energy efficient strategies which fall within the IRS guidelines for available tax deductions for efficient energy design.
• A+AA's LEED Accredited Professionals (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) offer strategies and options to clients to increase energy efficiency in historical buildings.

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