STANDARDS FOR REHABILITION
INTRODUCTION TO THE “SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR’S STANDARDS FOR REHABILITATION”
What Are “Standards for Rehabilitation” and How Do They Apply to Westheight
Initially developed by the office of the Secretary of the Interior to determine the appropriateness of proposed project work on National Register of Historic Places properties within the U. S. Department of Interior’s Historic Preservation Fund grant-in-aid program, the Standards for Rehabilitation have been widely used over the years – particularly to determine if a rehabilitation qualifies as a Certified Rehabilitation for Federal tax purposes. In addition, the Standards have guided Federal agencies in carrying out their historic preservation responsibilities for Federal properties; and State and local officials in reviewing both Federal and nonfederal rehabilitation proposals. They have also been adopted by local landmark and planning commissions, including here in Kansas City, Kansas.
What Is Meant by “Rehabilitation”
The Standards define “Rehabilitation” as "the process of returning a property to a state of utility, through repair or alteration, which makes possible an efficient contemporary use while preserving those portions and features of the property which are significant to its historic, architectural, and cultural values." The intent of the Standards is to assist the long-term preservation of a property's significance through the preservation of historic materials and features. “Rehabilitation” assumes that at least some repair or alteration of the historic building will be needed in order to provide for an efficient contemporary use; however, these repairs and alterations must not damage or destroy materials, features or finishes that are important in defining the building's historic character. A few examples:
When Are “Standards for Rehabilitation” Most Often Applicable
The Standards are applied for certification for Federal – and State – tax credit purposes. Such a rehabilitation project must be determined to be applied to a specific rehabilitation project in a reasonable manner, taking into consideration economic and technical feasibility.
What Are “Standards for Rehabilitation” and How Do They Apply to Westheight
Initially developed by the office of the Secretary of the Interior to determine the appropriateness of proposed project work on National Register of Historic Places properties within the U. S. Department of Interior’s Historic Preservation Fund grant-in-aid program, the Standards for Rehabilitation have been widely used over the years – particularly to determine if a rehabilitation qualifies as a Certified Rehabilitation for Federal tax purposes. In addition, the Standards have guided Federal agencies in carrying out their historic preservation responsibilities for Federal properties; and State and local officials in reviewing both Federal and nonfederal rehabilitation proposals. They have also been adopted by local landmark and planning commissions, including here in Kansas City, Kansas.
What Is Meant by “Rehabilitation”
The Standards define “Rehabilitation” as "the process of returning a property to a state of utility, through repair or alteration, which makes possible an efficient contemporary use while preserving those portions and features of the property which are significant to its historic, architectural, and cultural values." The intent of the Standards is to assist the long-term preservation of a property's significance through the preservation of historic materials and features. “Rehabilitation” assumes that at least some repair or alteration of the historic building will be needed in order to provide for an efficient contemporary use; however, these repairs and alterations must not damage or destroy materials, features or finishes that are important in defining the building's historic character. A few examples:
- Certain treatments--if improperly applied--may cause or accelerate physical deterioration of the historic building, resulting in a project that does not meet the Standards.
- This can include using improper repointing of exterior masonry or improper cleaning techniques.
- Sometimes introducing insulation improperly can damage historic materials.
- Exterior additions that exactly duplicate the form, material, and detailing of the structure to the extent that they compromise the historic character of the structure will fail to meet the Standards.
When Are “Standards for Rehabilitation” Most Often Applicable
The Standards are applied for certification for Federal – and State – tax credit purposes. Such a rehabilitation project must be determined to be applied to a specific rehabilitation project in a reasonable manner, taking into consideration economic and technical feasibility.
Ten “Standards for Rehabilitation” Summary (https://www.nps.gov/tps/standards/rehabilitation.htm):
- Minimal change to the defining characteristics of the building and its site
- The historic character of a property shall be retained and preserved.
- Changes that create a false sense of historical development … shall not be undertaken.
- Changes that have acquired historic significance in their own right shall be retained and preserved.
- Distinctive features, finishes, and construction techniques or examples of craftsmanship that characterize a historic property shall be preserved.
- Deteriorated historic features shall be repaired rather than replaced. Where the severity of deterioration requires replacement …, the new feature shall match the old in design, color, texture, and other visual qualities and, where possible, materials.
- The surface cleaning of structures, if appropriate, shall be undertaken using the gentlest means possible.
- Significant archeological resources … shall be protected and preserved.
- New additions, exterior alterations, or related new construction shall not destroy historic materials. … New work … shall be compatible with the massing, size, scale, and architectural features to protect the historic integrity of the property.
- New additions and … related new construction shall be undertaken in such a manner that if removed in the future, the essential form and integrity of the historic property and its environment would be unimpaired.
More Detailed Resources Regarding “Rehabilitation”: Technical Preservation Guidelines