Goeken to Head Premiere Historic Preservation Program

National Park Service Press Release
For Immediate Release: May 04, 2011
Contact(s): Kathy Kupper, 202-208-6843, Kathy_Kupper@nps.gov

WASHINGTON: The National Park Service has named Brian D. Goeken as Chief of the Technical Preservation Services office. He will manage a federal tax credit program that leverages $4 billion a year in private investment in historic preservation. Goeken is currently Deputy Commissioner of the City of Chicago's Department of Zoning and Land Use Planning and oversees the city's Historic Preservation Division.

The Federal Tax Incentives for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings Program is the country’s largest, most successful, and most cost-effective community revitalization program. It is an economic stimulus that encourages private investment, generates jobs, and preserves historic structures. Last year, the program created more than 41,000 jobs, an average of 47 per project.

Since 1976, the program, administered by the National Park Service and the Internal Revenue Service in partnership with State Historic Preservation Offices, has leveraged more than $58 billion in private investment to refurbish 37,000 historic properties. It has led to the restoration or creation of 425,000 housing units, including 110,000 low-to moderate-income units. National Park Service tax credit projects are listed online by state. For example, go to www.nps.gov/Alabama, click on “List View,” and select “Historic Preservation Tax Credit Projects.”

Stephanie Toothman, National Park Service Associate Director for Cultural Resources, said "the tax credit program is a powerful force for the revitalization of our nation's cities and small towns. I am very pleased that Brian, a nationally known leader in historic preservation at the local level, will join us and bring his extensive skills and experience to this important post."

"The National Park Service is the nation's premiere historic preservation agency," said Goeken. "I am very proud to have been chosen for this position, and I look forward to the many challenges that lie ahead." Goeken begins his new duties on June 20.

Prior to his work with the City of Chicago, Goeken was a project manager for the Design and Historic Preservation Division of the City of Pasadena, California. Goeken holds Master's Degrees in historic preservation and urban planning from Columbia University in New York.

The Technical Preservation Services Office also provides guidance on the care of historical structures, maintains the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation, and the Illustrated Guidelines on Sustainability for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings.