Historic Preservation and Adaptive Reuse

Historic American Building Survey (HABS), Historic American Engineering Record (HAER), and Historic American Landscape Survey (HALS) documentation of a historic building, structure, or landscape through limited research, photography, producing measured as-built drawings of existing conditions, and developing written narratives.

Documentation and assessment processes to identify the presence of cultural resources, determination of their significance, definition of the area in which cultural resources might be impacted by proposed work, evaluation of alternatives, assessment of potential impact, and formulation of mitigation measures.

Development of narratives to support the eligibility of the project throughout a three-part process to obtain federal tax credits for historic rehabilitation work. Optional services may include applications for local incentives or state tax credits. Part 1 of the process focuses on descriptions of the building and its significance. Part 2 describes the condition of the building and the proposed rehabilitation work, which is evaluated in accordance with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties. Part 3 of the application is submitted after the work is complete and the National Park Service certifies that the project meets the standards and is a “certified rehabilitation.”

Research and documentation of the history of a building, site, structure, or district to determine whether the property meets the National Register Criteria for Evaluation, known as a determination of eligibility. Optional services may include nominations for local or state designation.

Research and development of narratives pertaining to the historical development of a place, evaluating its significance and integrity, and formulating treatment recommendations that safeguard the significance of the place while facilitating appropriate change.

Development of recommendations for the integration of historic preservation principles into the master planning design process by utilizing historic contexts to inform proposed interventions.

Analysis and best practice guidance on future use opportunities and historic building maintenance including the integration or updating of existing systems that may impact historic buildings.

Standing services tailored to suit a local government’s needs to support the development or administration of its historic preservation program, including design review and case management, development of reports, and policy/regulations review.

Compliance reviews to support developments that involve historic properties as part of discretionary planning review, environmental compliance review, or grant applications.

Ordinance review, amendment recommendations, and interpretations of the practical application of existing ordinances to development applications.

Pre-purchase enquiries or development opportunities analysis that examines existing historic properties and further outlines development opportunities and challenges for owner consideration. In addition, services can include construction monitoring and on-site mitigation advice where impacts to historic properties can arise.

Development of impact assessments or justification statements that utilize preservation principles to assess the impact of certain interventions or to develop a justification for contemplated works in accordance with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties.

Representation in planning appeals or as an expert witness in related proceedings, including the development of proofs of evidence for written representations and presentations at hearings.

Review of documentation and evaluation of on-site work-in-progress or completed work to assess whether regulations, standards, or local guidelines have been satisfied and the development of mitigation strategies where historic properties are impacted.

Collaboration with property owners and Main Street entities to develop rehabilitation strategies, concept through to detailed design, characterization of existing and future desired states, and guidelines for a historic Main Street.

Historic preservation planning that documents an overview of an area’s historic significance and informs the development or amendment of design guidelines to safeguard the historic character and appearance of the place.