working with the national park service and the states avoiding common problems current economic...

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