Schneider Historic Preservation, LLC

10/20/2026

Schneider Historic Preservation, LLC is pleased to announce the successful completion of a federal Part 3 certification of the rehabilitation of the Hardwick Company Complex in Birmingham.

The Hardwick Company Complex is an eclectic collection of industrial buildings and additions occupying three separate city lots. Constructed between 1910 and 1967, the complex reflects more than half a century of Birmingham's industrial growth and evolution. The oldest building was erected in 1910 as a warehouse and distribution center for the wholesale operations of the Amzi Godden Seed Company. In 1925, Birmingham Welding Corporation relocated to the southeast corner of the property, establishing what would become one of the city's most significant metal fabrication companies. When Birmingham's iconic statue of Vulcan lost its thumb in 1929, Birmingham Welding fabricated the replacement in copper. During the 1950s, the company also produced components for the Mercury space program. In 1976, the company was renamed Hardwick Company and expanded to occupy the entire complex, where it continued operations for decades.

By the time rehabilitation began, decades of industrial use had transformed much of the complex into a series of interconnected crane bays and fabrication spaces. Those alterations presented significant challenges in meeting the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation while preserving the property's historic character. Through thoughtful planning and close coordination, the team addressed those challenges, resulting in a rehabilitation that respected the property's industrial heritage and positioned it for a new chapter of use.

Congratulations to the outstanding team at Hardwick, LLC and its design and construction teams on delivering an exceptional historic rehabilitation project.

08/13/2026

Could Your Historic Building Qualify for Historic Tax Credits?

The Vaughan-Woolworth Building in Selma, Alabama is one of more than 300 historic rehabilitation tax credit projects for which Schneider Historic Preservation, LLC has provided historic preservation consulting services.

For this project, we prepared the Historic Preservation Certification Application and successfully guided it through the review and approval process.

Historic tax credits can provide a significant financial incentive for rehabilitating qualifying historic commercial buildings. The first step is determining whether your property—and your proposed rehabilitation—may qualify.

Schneider Historic Preservation offers a complimentary preliminary evaluation for property owners and developers considering a historic rehabilitation project.

Since 1999, we have worked on more than 300 historic tax credit projects representing approximately $1 billion in rehabilitation investment and more than 8 million square feet of historic buildings.

If you own, are purchasing, or are considering redeveloping an older commercial building, contact us before you begin your rehabilitation.

There is no charge for the preliminary evaluation.

Learn more at shphistoric.com

St. James Hotel, Selma, AL What Are Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credits? Historic rehabilitation tax credits are financial incentives that help offset the cost of rehabilitating historic buildings.…

07/01/2026

🏛️ THERE WAS A TIME WHEN ANNISTON WAS BUILT WITH INTENTION

The Anniston City Land Company Building stood at the very heart of that vision. It was where land was sold, businesses were launched, and the future of the city began to take shape. Today, it exists only in photographs, memories, and in my company’s logo. A new article on my Schneider Historic Preservation website tells the story of this remarkable building—how it helped shape Anniston, the efforts made to save it, and the decisions that ultimately led to its demolition in 2012.

It's a story about more than one building. It's about what we value. It's about leadership. It's about vision. It's about what happens when opportunities are lost and history cannot be reclaimed. One line from the article says it best:
"What was lost here was not just a building—it was the opportunity to do it right."

💔 Imagine the disappointment—and the generations that follow, left without the opportunity to experience this piece of history. Do you remember the Anniston City Land Company Building, and if you do, what were your memories of it?

If you care about Anniston's history, its future, or simply enjoy learning about the stories that shaped our community, I hope you'll take a few minutes to read about The Anniston Land Company Building here: 📖 "Our Logo - The One That Got Away" https://dbschneiderac1d4d538b-jvuqs.wordpress.com/our-logo-the-one-that-got-away/

05/15/2026

Here’s a blast from the past — and still one of my favorite rehabilitation projects. During my time as Executive Director of the Historic Preservation Trust of Lancaster County (1990–1995), I worked as a consultant on the rehabilitation of the former Follmer, Clogg & Company umbrella factory in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. The complex was rehabilitated into affordable rental apartments by HDC (now HDC MidAtlantic), with Bradley, Chamber, Kaylor & Frey, Inc. serving as project architects.

The factory was constructed in stages between 1880 and 1905 and reflected the growth of one of Lancaster’s important industrial manufacturers. Follmer, Clogg & Company ceased operations in 1939, and the property was later acquired by Van Sciver Furniture Company in 1944, which used the building as a furniture store, warehouse, and repair facility until closing in 1982.

Over time, the building experienced a number of alterations, including the removal of its prominent corner tower. As part of the 1992 rehabilitation, the tower was completely reconstructed, restoring a defining architectural feature that had long been lost. The project remains a strong example of what can happen when a developer fully commits to both the preservation and long-term reuse of a historic industrial building. More than three decades later, it still stands out to me as one of the most rewarding and memorable rehabilitation projects I’ve had the opportunity to be involved with.

05/05/2026

Congratulations to the Alabama Historical Commission on celebrating 60 years of service, and on recognizing National Historic Preservation Month.
I’ve had the privilege of working with the Alabama Historical Commission for over 45 years on a wide range of historic tax credit, National Register, and Section 106 projects and it has been one of the most meaningful professional relationships of my career. Throughout that time, I’ve seen firsthand the depth of their commitment to protecting Alabama’s historic resources while also helping make projects possible.
Their work strikes a careful balance—upholding preservation standards while supporting thoughtful development—and that balance is what allows so many successful rehabilitation projects to move forward.
It has truly been an honor to work alongside them over the years, and I look forward to continuing that partnership.

05/01/2026

Nearly one million square feet of historic industrial space in Birmingham has been rehabilitated.

We recently received Part 3 approval for the rehabilitation of the Birmingham Food Terminal in Birmingham. Originally constructed in 1956–1957 by Southern Railway, the Birmingham Food Terminal was developed as a bulk distribution and light manufacturing complex on the former Finley Yard. The site incorporates the 1924 Railroad Shops and has continued to evolve over time, resulting in approximately 965,000 square feet of industrial space across a 70-acre site. Projects of this scale and complexity require careful coordination to meet both operational needs and historic preservation requirements. This $14,000,000 rehabilitation project was completed by the team at Colliers | Alabama on behalf of Birmingham Industrial Group, LLC. Congratulations on a fine historic rehabilitation project.

04/19/2026

David B. Schneider is marking 45 years as a historic preservation professional. He has relaunched his website: shphistoric.com.

“I recently heard from a client who thought I had retired. That couldn’t be further from the truth—I’m still at it, and expect to be for the foreseeable future. I love what I do. Over the past four and a half decades, I’ve had the opportunity to work with developers, communities, and public agencies on a wide range of projects, each with its own challenges and rewards. Historic preservation is never just about buildings; it’s about finding practical ways to carry them forward. I’m grateful to the many clients and colleagues who have trusted me along the way. The work continues.”

We also recently received Part 3 approval for the rehabilitation of the Ben Jacobs Furniture Building in Birmingham. This $12,500,000 project was completed by David Carrigan through New William QOZB, LLC.

Congratulations Carrigan on another fine historic rehabilitation project.

04/15/2026

Please see our new website - same address: shphistoric.com