What Local Historic District DOES NOT do: · Does not regulate paint colors · Does not require repairs or renovations to be made · Does not increase taxes beyond normal increases for the City or County · Does not prevent additions · Does not prevent non-contributing homes from being demolished · Does not require use of historic materials or historic building methods · Does not require that you open you home to the public · Does not restrict routine maintenance of properties
What Local Historic District DOES do: · Recognizes that Oakhurst has a distinctive historic character important to the overall character of the City of Decatur · Encourages creative and compatible development with historic areas · Requires that a Certificate of Appropriateness be obtained for exterior changes to contributing properties, demolition of buildings, and new construction. · Applies only to major renovations to the exterior of your home. Interior renovations are not restricted.

Friday, January 9, 2009

Historic Resource Survey Request For Proposal

CITY OF DECATUR
HISTORIC RESOURCE SURVEY
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

INTRODUCTION AND PROJECT OVERVIEW:
The City of Decatur was incorporated in 1823 and has retained the small town character of its roots. It is a diverse city of roughly 18,000 residents covering 4.2 square miles and serves as the county seat for DeKalb County. It has the highest population density among all cities in the state of Georgia. The land use is characterized by a vibrant, mixed-use town center, a smaller, neighborhood business district on its south side, and a commercial corridor running through the middle of the city. All three commercial areas are surrounded by traditional single-family neighborhoods.
Decatur has a wealth of historic resources dating from the early 1800’s through the mid-century including many outstanding examples of post-modern architecture. Currently, the city has four local historic districts: the McDonough –Adams-King, Clairemont Corridor, Ponce de Leon Court, and Old Decatur. Additionally, Decatur has two National Register Districts, Winnona Park and South Candler Street. There are also twelve buildings/sites listed individually on the National Register.
In 1992, a historic resource survey was conducted resulting in the creation of the Decatur Historic Preservation Resource Manual. While this manual is still utilized, it did not address all of the historic resources in the city and a number of properties have now become eligible for the National Register.
In 2008, the city commission recognized the need for an updated historic resource survey and authorized the city to obtain bids for such a survey. The goal of this project is to identify historic resources in the City of Decatur that have not already been placed on the National Register or not protected under local historic district regulations. The updated survey information will be used to identify individual buildings and districts for possible listing in the National Register or Georgia Register of Historic Places, support local designations of buildings and districts, expedite environmental review by governmental agencies, aid preservation and land-use planning, promote research of the city’s history and architecture, and increase awareness of, and interest in Decatur’s historic buildings.
ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION:
The proposal must be submitted by 4:00 p.m. on Friday, January 30 2009. Any proposals submitted after this date will not be accepted.
Proposals must be submitted in Microsoft Word and a PDF file on a compact disc with five (5) hard copies to:
City Manager
City of Decatur
Attn: Historic Resource Survey
P.O.B 220
509 N, McDonough Street
Decatur, GA 30030
It is anticipated that the work will be awarded within two weeks (20 days) of the due date.
The proposal will be evaluated by the following guidelines:
-Completeness and clarity of the proposal.
-Firm experience, members of the project team and their qualifications.
-Previous historic resource survey experience.
-Technical approach to the project scope.
-Onsite interviews of finalists.
-References.
-Ability to meet schedule.
Questions regarding this RFP should be directed to:
Regina Brewer, Preservation Planner
regina.brewer@decaturga.com
(404) 371-8336
Limitations:
This Request for Proposal (RFP) does not commit the City to award a contract, to pay any costs incurred in the preparation of a response to this request, or to procure or contract for services or supplies.