City of Decatur follows through on promise for historic survey

Approved funding for the historic survey.

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.

What to learn some facts about Decatur?

http://www.city-data.com/zips/30030.html

Ft. Wayne local historic district comments

Benefits of Local Historic Districts
Category : Local Historic District (LHD)
Published by Admin on 2007/4/5
Benefits of Local Historic Districts

The major benefit to local historic district designation is that property owners are assured that their investment in their property will be not be harmed by inappropriate alterations or construction on adjacent properties. Once a property has received local historic district designation, elements of the property that are subject to public view become protected from inappropriate changes by a design review process. Property owners are required to apply for, and obtain, a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) before a building permit can be issued, or exterior work begun, on any exterior changes. This review process adds protection and stability to both individual properties and historic districts. The process and its benefits are similar to deed restrictions that are placed on lots in modern housing developments. In both cases, the goal is to guide development in order to protect individual investment and the common good.

Two common misperceptions of those who are unfamiliar with local historic district designation are that it will restrict their right to alter properties they own and that it will decrease the value of their property.

· Fort Wayne's historic preservation guidelines allow a great amount of flexibility in planning common building improvement projects. Over 90 percent of the applications for COAs are approved by the Fort Wayne Historic Preservation Review Commission (HPC), the majority of which obtain quick approval by HPRB staff. While a property owner may be required to get approval of proposed changes by reviewing plans with the HPRB and its staff, many owners find the process helpful because free advice is available from objective professionals.

Property values are not adversely affected by local historic district designation. Property values tend to rise with local historic district designation, equaling if not outpacing similar, undesignated areas. Values in local historic districts often exceed the rate of value increase for the city as a whole, thereby offering a secure location for investment.

What someone else said about preserving their neighborhood

A Neighborhood Worth Preserving...

In order to define just what we are trying to preserve, we did an informal survey of what midtown means to you. Not surprisingly, many of the lists overlapped. Here are the common themes:

* Neighborhood feel in an urban setting
* An eclectic mix of houses
* Old homes that provide a sense of history
* Trees!
* Walkablity and proximity to parks, shopping, and restaurants
* Diversity of residents (village feel)

These are all things that a Local Historic District can help to protect!
Benefits

A Local Historic District is an overlay to existing zoning that provides additional protection for historic structures. Some of the benefits of being a part of a Local Historic District include:

1. Historic preservation helps to maintain a sense of place and to bolster the character, community, and visual appeal of a neighborhood.

2. Historic districts provide a framework for a cohesive neighborhood while still embracing a wide variety of styles.

3. Protected neighborhoods draw economic activity because they are good places to live and work and great places to visit!

More information on Property values in historic districts.

Just insert Oakhurst into Powelton below

Is Powelton Village a Philadelphia
Historic District?
No. Listing on the Philadelphia Register of Historic
Places recognizes and protects the special
architectural and historic character of the district.
Powelton Village is on the National Register of
Historic Places, which recognizes significance but
does not provide protection.

What gives Philadelphia the power to
create Local Historic Districts?
The Philadelphia Preservation Ordinance, Section
14-2007, was enacted in 1954. At this time it
created the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places, on
which individual structures could be listed for
their architectural, historical, or cultural
significance. The Ordinance was amended in
1985 to allow for entire districts to be placed on
the Register.

Why should Powelton Village become a
Local Historic District?
Local Historic Districts are the best method of
protecting the character of historic
neighborhoods. They help prevent the demolition
and inappropriate alteration of historic buildings.
Creating a Local Historic District in Powelton
Village can lead to the stabilization of property
values, the protection of buildings and
streetscapes, and the fostering of community
pride.

How can Powelton Village become a
Philadelphia Historic District?
By completing a nomination and submitting it to
the Philadelphia Historical Commission (PHC).
The PHC consists of architects, structural
engineers, builders, historians, lawyers, and
developers appointed by the mayor, as well as the
heads of six city departments. The PHC considers
applications and whether or not to approve them.

What does the nomination need to
contain?
A description of the characteristics of the
potential district, its significance, an evaluative
inventory listing for every property in the district,
and a map showing the boundaries of the district.
.
Isn’t this a lot of work?
It can be, but much of it is done for you already.
The preliminary nomination required by the PHC
before the official nomination can be submitted
has already been prepared and is ready for
submittal. The National Register form contains
many of the requirements necessary for the local
nomination including the beginning of an
inventory. Also, a database has been created
which contains information about every building
in Powelton Village.

What’s left to do?
Complete an inventory for each structure and
submit the formal nomination for inclusion on the
Philadelphia Register of Historic Places.

Easton Historic District

EASTON/Local Historic District
06-19-06
Local Historic District: Preserving Easton’s Rich Architectural History
Downtown Easton has a rich and varied architectural history, and city officials have taken steps to make sure that history is preserved.
Last fall, 2005, City Council signed into law a Local Historic District ordinance that was later certified by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.
“The significance of this ordinance is that it will stop any further deterioration of the historic architectural assets we have in downtown Easton,” explained Bob Sedey, who was appointed chairman of the historic district commission when it was formed in October.
Preserving the historic atmosphere of Easton is a worthy goal. The district contains about 600 buildings. Sedey estimated that more than 500 of those are historic in nature, with some dating back to the mid-18th century.
The Ahlum Gallery at 106 N. Fourth Street is a good example of the type of structure the ordinance seeks to protect. According to owner Denise Ahlum-Sandy, the original front-end of the building dates back to the late 1700s.
Ahlum-Sandy purchased the building in 2000, and had it registered in the National Historic Registry. She then renovated it in compliance with guidelines provided by the registry.
Ahlum-Sandy is grateful the local historic district was formed, because it will ensure that any renovations of surrounding properties will also respect the historic qualities of the city.
“If you look at villages, cities, and towns that have a historic district, they’re great, they’re beautiful. They are nice places to walk, and they have kept their historic integrity,” Ahlum-Sandy said.
In the past, Ahlum-Sandy has seen historic facades modernized and destroyed. The new ordinance will prevent that from happening.
“What happens now will be more compatible with what we have,” she said.
That’s important, she added, because Easton’s unique architecture is “one of the top priorities” for business owners from out of town to locate in the city.
The Local Historic District ordinance covers an area that is bounded, roughly, on the south by Ferry Street; on the east by the Delaware River and west to Sixth St.; and on the North by College Avenue.
The law allows city council, through recommendations of the Historic District Commission (HDC), to oversee any changes made to the exterior of all buildings within those boundaries. Any home or business owner wishing to change the façade of a building must first receive a Certificate of Appropriateness, or COA, from City Council
“We are only interested in those things that happen on the outside of a building,” Sedey stressed. Interior renovations would not be effected by the ordinance, nor would any renovations that are not visible to the public.
However, any new development, all demolitions, and any alterations, reconstructions, or repairs to the façade of a building would be subject to the ordinance requirements, and to recommendations by the commission.
The ordinance governs such details as the height of a building, the arrangement of windows and types of materials that can be used. It does not address issues such as paint color, window treatments or door and window hardware.
All new signs installed in the district must also comply with regulations.
Ultimately, city officials hope to protect the historic buildings and streetscapes of Easton. That not only serves to safeguard the rich character of Easton, but it makes it an attractive residential and business environment, as well.
“It’s proven to be a powerful planning tool,” said Jeff Martinson, vice chairman of the Historic District Commission. “It’s been shown that buildings within a historic district see property values increase over time, and it also increases investor confidence, because if you invest or own or sell a home in a historic district, you know someone’s not going to do something wild and crazy next to you.”
Martinson, an architect, observed that Easton has a distinctive nature that should be preserved.
“There’s a lot of great architecture here – a lot of diversity and great style,” he said. “And Easton has a great street pattern, with a focus on Centre Square and the rivers, and interesting topography. It makes it a fun place to live and work.”
“Easton is a fairly distinctive place for the size of the city,” Martinson added.
It’s unique in that it already has three Nationally Registered Historic Districts. Those include the Downtown National Historic District, Easton Centre National Historic District and College Hill National Historic District.
The Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor and Lehigh Canal System enhance the historic character of the city.
Plans to create a Local Historic District date back to 1983. At that time, the concept of a district was proposed and outlines were drawn, but no ordinance was ever approved by Easton’s City Councils.
This time around, things turned out differently.
“A lot of people saw what redevelopment had done to the south side of the downtown,” said Sedey, referring to an area along Larry Holmes Drive. “We lost a lot of architectural gems.”
While the Local Historic District is undoubtedly most advantageous to homeowners and business owners within the district, visitors to the area will benefit, as well.
“People are interested in history wherever you go,” Martinson pointed out. “Many of the most popular travel sites are history oriented. So, visitors to Easton will benefit because there will be some exposure of historical assets and visually improved buildings and spaces.