Working With the National Park Service and the States

Avoiding Common Problems

Current Economic Impact

National Park Service, Technical Preservation Services

Success• Projects approved –

36,000• Investment of over

$50 billion• Repeat users

It Is a Regulatory Program

• Not uncommon that there will be some required changes

• Submit your project for review early in the planning process

Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation• 10 broad principals of

preservation• Widely used by

agencies and organizations

• Only NPS makes certification decisions

Avoiding Common Problems

• Start the certification process early in the project planning

• Consult with the SHPO

• Get decisions in writing from NPS

Helpful Suggestions

• Keep track as to which set of architectural plans have been approved

• Use services of a preservation consultant as needed

• Realize each project is different

Common Rehabilitation Issues— New Construction

• New buildings or new onsite parking

Common Rehabilitation Issues— New Construction

• New buildings or new onsite parking

• Rooftop additions and mechanical equipment

• Adjacent and connecting new additions

Common Rehabilitation Issue—Exteriors

• New balconies • Solar panels

Common Rehabilitation Issue—Exteriors

• Windows

Common Rehabilitation Issues—Interiors

• Dividing significant rooms or major common spaces

• Redefining a building’s basic floor plan

• Exposing mechanical ductwork in traditionally finished spaces

• Removing plaster to expose masonry walls and ceiling joists

Less than 2% of submitted projects fail to get certification

Current Economic Impact

• Impact on project review

• 2008 activity level

Impact of Past Economic Downturns

• 1986 low and subsequent rebound• Number of projects and project size• Geographic factor

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

3500

4000

4500

5000

Investment (dolars in millions) Approved Part 2s

Activity Level in FY 2008

• 44% of projects over $1 million

• Nearly half of these were over $5 million

Economic Conditions May Benefit Project Approval• Less new additions

• More “less is best” renovations

• More preliminary reviews

• More conservative building uses

Economic Conditions May Foster Several Problematic Issues

• Pushing the unit count

Economic Conditions May Foster Several Problematic Issues

• Ownership changes

• Condos to apartments

• Budget pressures

Fostering Project Development

• Importance of personal interface

• Seek preliminary reviews

• Large-scale development

Broaden Opportunities

• Post World War II historic

• Shopping centers

• Publicly owned and other institutional buildings

Broaden Opportunities The Risks and Rewards

For Additional Information

• NPS website is www.nps.gov/history/hps/tps• To request copy of the Technical Preservation

Services Catalog of over 100 publications either email at NPS_HPS-info@nps.gov

• Or write Technical Preservation Services, National Park Service, 1840 C Street NW, Washington, DC 20240

• To contact me: email at chuck_fisher@nps.gov