Easements Atlanta, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, was created in 1984 as a result of a successful alliance between the city of Atlanta, Atlanta History Center, and the Atlanta Preservation Center. They recognized the strong potential for historic preservation easements to help achieve the city’s preservation goals and to help offset the significant costs related to maintaining significant historic properties for public benefit. Therefore, Easements Atlanta’s mission is to accept qualified historic preservation easement donations of certified historic and cultural properties within metropolitan Atlanta, and in turn offer perpetual stewardship and potential tax incentives for property owners.
Board of Directors
The all-volunteer Board of Directors bring ethical professionalism, practical preservation experience, and complimentary skill sets to the review of easement donation applications, the perpetual stewardship of its easements and the operation of the organization. Board members include the directors of three local history organizations – the Atlanta Preservation Center, the Atlanta History Center, and the Atlanta Urban Design Commission. In addition, the Board elects other professionals including real estate developers, tax attorneys, preservation architects, and preservation planners.
Our Staff
Sarah Borcherding, Executive Director Email: director@easementsatlanta.org
April 22, 2024: The Board of Directors of Easements Atlanta, Inc. is pleased to announce the appointment of Sarah Borcherding as the organization’s next Executive Director. Borcherding’s background, education, and expertise, combined with a deep passion for promoting historic preservation, will help further advance the organization.
Sarah earned her Master in Heritage Preservation (Historic Preservation concentration) in May 2023 from Georgia State University. This was a lifelong goal after an earlier career in nursing. While at GSU, Sarah spent the two years of her graduate assistantship at Easements Atlanta as the Stewardship Intern. That experience, combined with her interest in building materials, architectural history and site documentation, has resulted in a dedication to the stewardship of the historic built environment, and with that a belief in the power of preservation easements. Sarah said, “Preservation easements are the strongest protections historic buildings can carry, protecting them in perpetuity from loss, demolition or unapproved alterations. Their [preservation easements] importance as a tool for preserving and maintaining the historic fabric of our city cannot be underestimated.” She looks forward to continuing the good work of Easements Atlanta, fostering a positive relationship with current property owners, and engaging and educating others in the community who may want to consider a preservation easement for their historic property.
Upon graduation, Sarah founded SLB Preservation Consulting LLC, and had the opportunity to research, document and assess historic properties from California to South Georgia. She is on the Board of the Dunwoody Preservation Trust where she serves as the Vice-President of Properties. When Sarah is not working she enjoys family time, playing tennis, and working in her garden.