Spokane, WA, June 2, 2025 — The State Historic Preservation Office—the agency that helps protect the places that make Washington feel like, well, Washington—is facing the budget axe. And Spokane Preservation Advocates (SPA) is sounding the alarm.

Federal funding for State Historic Preservation Offices (SHPOs) has not yet been released for the coming fiscal year, and the proposed federal budget for 2025 goes a step further: eliminating funding for both SHPOs and Tribal Historic Preservation Offices (THPOs) entirely. That includes Washington’s own Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation (DAHP)—our state’s preservation backbone.

Without DAHP, Washington stands to lose a lot more than just paperwork:
Historic tax credits? Significantly impacted. The 20% federal incentive that makes it possible to revitalize buildings like Spokane’s Collins Hotel could vanish. (That project alone relied on $270,000 in credits.)

Downtown reinvestment? Paused. Adaptive reuse of old buildings into new housing and businesses would grind to a halt—contributing to Spokane’s already extant housing crisis.

Major infrastructure projects? Delayed. Everything from roads to rail to renewable energy goes through DAHP for cultural review and tribal consultation.

Local government support? Cut off. Cities like Spokane would lose Certified Local Government (CLG) funding and technical guidance. The Spokane Preservation Office has received grants from DAHP totaling more than $100,000 in the past ten years.
Heritage tourism? Weakened. Without oversight, many cultural sites risk damage, erasure, looting, or even demolition.

“We love old buildings—but this is about much more than nostalgia,” said Dawn Wynne, Vice President of Spokane Preservation Advocates. “The Washington State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation is part of how we grow as a city, create housing, protect tribal heritage, and plan responsibly. It’s economic development and cultural stewardship all rolled into one.”

Spokane Preservation Advocates urges all Washingtonians to write to U.S. Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell, U.S. Representative Michael Baumgartner, and their representatives in Congress to oppose these proposed cuts. Our historic preservation system can’t function without SHPO and THPO funding. And if you think these cuts might save money? Think again. Preservation tax credits generate far more in local investment than they cost—just ask any developer who’s brought a historic building back to life.

ABOUT SPOKANE PRESERVATION ADVOCATES

Spokane Preservation Advocates is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving the historic places that shape Spokane’s story and character. Through education, advocacy, and hands-on support, we help save the homes, landmarks, and neon signs that make this city feel like home.

We build strong local partnerships, we welcome all voices, and yes—we have a little fun along the way. Whether you’re grabbing a paintbrush or raising a glass, we believe preservation is for everyone.