THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

The National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior, is the federal agency responsible for the national historic preservation program. The National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 creates the basic framework for community preservation planning and provides the legal structure for the retention of historic properties. The act established the National Register of Historic Places to recognize, identify, and evaluate significant historic properties. Amendments in 1980 established the Certified Local Government program, administered through a partnership of the State Historic Preservation Offices and the National Park Service. Contact the Interagency Resources Division, National Park Service, P.O. Box 37127, Washington D.C. 20013-7127, (202) 343-9500.

State Historic Preservation Officers (SHPOs) are the state-level public-sector preservation partners. Each state is required to appoint a SHPO and to appropriate funds to match federal preservation dollars. States are required to identify historically significant properties and nominate them to the National Register. SHPOs also administer state and/or federal grant programs and provide technical assistance on rehabilitation and the National Register certification program. For a current list of SHPOs, contact The National Conference of State Historic Preservation Officers, Suite 332, Hall of States, 444 North Capitol Street, N.W., Washington D.C. 20001, (202) 624-5465.

Certified Local Governments (CLGs) are local governments with historic preservation programs that meet prescribed standards. They are eligible for enhanced participation in national preservation programs and grants-in-aid and technical assistance from the state historic preservation offices to assist in carrying out preservation activities at the local level. For further information, contact your state preservation officer or the National Park Service, Certified Local Government Program, (202) 343-9505.

The Federal Highway Administration of the U.S. Department of Transportation is responsible for implementing the new Intermodal Surface Transportation Act (ISTEA). This new law requires states to set aside ten percent of their Surface Transportation Program allocation for transportation "enhancements." Historic preservation and scenic and historic highway programs fall within the transportation-enhancement category for funding, For information about funds in each state call Bruce Eberle at the Federal Highway Administration, (202) 366-2060.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is the major federal agency charged with providing resources for housing rehabilitation and construction. HUD's programs fall into two broad categories: (1) community-development programs, which finance a range of neighborhood-development activities, including housing rehabilitation, and (2) specific housing programs aimed at encouraging housing production and/or helping low- and moderate- income families afford the cost of housing.

Several programs are of special interest to preservationists:

Community development block grants (Entitlement) are annual grants on a formula basis to entitled communities to carry out a wide range of community-development activities directed toward neighborhood revitalization, economic development, and improved community facilities and services.

Community-development block grants (Nonentitlement) are grants to carry out community-development activities directed toward neighborhood revitalization, economic development, improved community facilities, and services. Applicants must give priority to activities that will benefit low- and moderate-income families or aid in the prevention or elimination of slums and blight.

The home program focuses primarily on the development of low-income rental housing. Home investment partnerships provide funding and general guidelines to state and local governments and empowers them to design and tailor affordable housing strategies to address local needs and housing conditions. The program strives to meet both the short-term goal of increasing the supply and availability of affordable housing and the long-term goal of building partnerships between state and local governments and private and nonprofit organizations and of strengthening their capacity to meet the housing needs of low- and very low-income residents. The graduated match provides incentives to use home funds for tenant -based assistance and low-cost rehabilitation.

The Federal Housing Administration (FHA), a division of HUD, administers provisions of the National Housing Act. FHA does not make loans; it insures loans made by supervised financial institutions.

The Farmers Home Administration (FmHA), an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, is the principal federal source of support for rural development and rural housing. FmHA administers section 515 rural rental housing program specifically for rural renters. FmHA has a well-established system of approximately 270 district offices that make Section 515 housing loans and offer a variety of housing services.

PRIVATE ORGANIZATIONS

The National Trust for Historic Preservation (NTHP) is a private, nonprofit organization chartered by Congress to foster an appreciation of the diverse character and meaning of our American cultural heritage and to preserve and revitalize the livability of our communities by leading the nation in saving America's historic environments. The National Trust acts as a clearing house for information on all aspects of preservation, assists in coordinating efforts of preservation groups, provides professional advice on preservation, conducts conferences and seminars, maintains historic properties, and administers grants and loan programs. Contact the National Trust for Historic Preservation, 1785 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W., Washington D.C. 20036, (202) 673-4000.

The seven regional and field offices of the National Trust, which are listed below, provide services to state and local organizations and individuals.

Mid-Atlantic Regional Office

Patricia Wilson, Director

Cliveden

6401 Germantown Avenue Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19144

(215) 438-2886

Northeast Regional Office

Vicki Sandstead, Director

7 Faneuil Hall Marketplace

Boston, Massachusetts 02109

(617) 523-0885

Southern Regional Office

Susan Kidd, Director

456 King Street

Charleston, South Carolina 29403

(803) 722-8552

Texas/New Mexico Field Office

Elizabeth B. Willis, Director

500 Main Street Suite 606

Fort Worth, Texas 76102

(817) 332-4398

Midwest Regional Office

Tim Turner, Director

53 West Jackson Boulevard Suite 1135

Chicago, Illinois 60604

(312) 939-5547

Mountain Plains Regional Office

Barbara H. Pahl, Director

51116th Street Suite 700

Denver, Colorado 80202

(303) 623-1504

Western Regional Office

Kathryn Burns, Director

One Sutter Street, Suite 707

San Francisco, California 94104

(415) 956-0610

The National Trust's four grant-and-Ioan programs have assisted thousands of innovative preservation projects that protect the continuity, diversity, and beauty of our communities:

The National Preservation Loan Fund provides below-market-rate loans to nonprofit organizations and public agencies to help preserve properties listed in or eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. Funds may be used for creating or expanding local and statewide preservation revolving funds, for site acquisition, or for rehabilitation work. Additionally, a special endangered properties component assists threatened National Historic Landmarks.

The Inner-City Ventures Fund provides matching grants and low-interest loans to nonprofit community organizations to help revitalize their older historic neighborhoods for the benefit of low- and moderate-income residents. Funds may be used for acquisition, rehabilitation, and related capital costs for projects that offer housing, neighborhood services, and commercial opportunities for area residents. Funding rounds are announced to the National Trust Forum membership as funds become available.

The Critical Issues Fund fosters innovative research and problem-solving to effect policy change at the local, state, and national levels. The Critical Issues Fund supports the development and implementation of the National Trust's public policy agenda by providing funds, alone or in partnership with other funding sources, for policy-oriented research projects. Fund-supported activities may include the preparation of analytical research papers, data analysis, conferences, and publications.

The Preservation Services Fund provides matching grants to nonprofit organizations, universities, and public agencies to initiate preservation projects. Funds may be used to support consultants with professional expertise in such areas as architecture, law, planning, economics, and graphic design; conferences that address subjects of particular importance to historic preservation; and curriculum development in preservation directed at select audiences.

Community-based development organizations (CBDOs) are private nonprofit groups serving low-income communities. Often formed and operated in neighborhoods on the decline or in neighborhoods where residents are being priced out of renovated housing, community organizations usually depend on support from the local, state, or federal government, corporations and foundations. CBDOs are sometimes called community-development corporations (CDCs) or neighborhood development organizations (NDOs).

Statewide preservation organizations are private nonprofit groups that serve as a preservation network and represent local preservation activities within their state. Contact your National Trust regional office for more information or order the National Trust directory of statewide organizations from Programs, Services and Information, at National Trust headquarters ($10).

The National Alliance of Preservation Commissions (NAPC) provides information regarding historic preservation law, local ordinances, design review, and local preservation planning and publishes the periodical Alliance Review. Contact the National Alliances of Preservation Commissions, Hall of States, Suite 342, 444 North Capitol Street, Washington, D.C. 20001.

The American Planning Association (APA) is a national association of professional planners, elected and appointed officials, and developers who are concerned with creating a better planned environment. The APA publishes a number of advisory reports that relate to historic preservation issues. Contact the American Planning Association, 1313 East 60th Street, Chicago, Illinois 60637, (312) 9559100.

The National Center for Preservation Law was created in 1977 to provide a national monitoring capability for preservation law issues. The center maintains files of local historic preservation issues. Contact the National Center for Preservation Law, 1015 31st Street, N.W., Suite 400, Washington D.C. 20007, (202) 338-0392.

PUBLICATIONS

A. General

The Information Series are booklets that provide concise information on basic and frequently used preservation techniques. Topics include basic preservation procedures and an introduction to the movement, legal considerations in setting up preservation organizations, and information on establishing an easement program and historic districts. To obtain titles and order information, contact the National Trust, (202) 673-4189.

The Landmark Yellow Pages is a 320-page handbook including names, addresses, facts, and figures about preservation. To order call, (800) 274-3694 or in the D.C. area (202) 673-4200.

National Register Bulletins and the Local Preservation Series, both published by the National Park Service Interagency Resources Division, provide guidance on numerous topics related to planning. Contact the National Park Service, Interagency Resources Division, (202) 208-3100.

"A Partnership of Pride" is a slide show explaining how community-development groups are working with the National Trust to rehabilitate historic buildings and keep long-term, low-income residents in their neighborhoods. The sixteen-minute presentation includes 137 slides, audio tape, script, and an introduction. To order, contact the Office of Financial Services, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, (202) 673-4054.

Preparing a Historic Preservation Ordinance by Richard J. Roddewig (Chicago: American Planning Association, 1983) covers the legal bases, purposes, uses, and benefits of historic preservation ordinances. Innovative Tools for Historic Preservation by Marya Morris, Senior Research Associate, APA (Chicago: American Planning Association, 1992) is a study of nontraditional techniques used by communities around the country to preserve historic resources. The study was funded in part by a grant from the National Trust's Critical Issues Fund. These two planning advisory service reports, as well as others, are available from the National Trust, Critical Issues Fund, (202) 6734255.

Protecting and Preserving Communities: Preservation Revolving Funds is an essential resource for organizations operating or considering establishing a revolving fund or for any nonprofit group involved in real estate transactions. The notebook includes more than 650 pages of articles, excerpts from books, outlines, and sample documents. It provides a wealth of background information on appraisals, market analysis, development financing, low-income housing programs, tax credits, and other real estate issues and features a section with practical advice for confronting emerging environmental and other liability issues facing nonprofit organizations. To order, contact Lyn Moriarity, National Trust for Historic Preservation, (202) 6734054.

The Preservation Law Reporter is a monthly publication that covers preservation-related court decisions, tax rulings, state legislation, local preservation ordinances, and pUblications. Subscribers receive a comprehensive compilation of federal, state, and local materials in a single reference volume. Included are federal laws and regulations, a digest of federal tax incentives, a model preservation easement, and local preservation model ordinance provisions. To order, contact the National Trust for Historic Preservation, (202) 673-4035.

B. Financial Impacts of and Incentives for Historic Preservation

The Economic Benefits of Community Character Preservation: An Annotated Bibliography by the Government Finance Research Center of the Government Finance Officers Association and Scenic America, a Critical Issues Fund report, 1991 ($10).

The Economic Benefits of Preserving Community Character: A Case Study from Fredericksburg, Virginia by the Government Finance Research Center of the Government Finance Officers Association, a Critical Issues Fund report, 1991 ($10).

The Economic Benefits of Preserving Community Character: A Case Study from Galveston, Texas by the Government Finance Research Center of the Government Finance Officers Association, a Critical Issues Fund report, 1991 ($10).

The Economic Benefits of Preserving Community Character: A Practical Methodology by the Government Finance Research Center of the Government Finance Officers Association, a Critical Issues Fund report, 1991 ($35).

Economic Incentives for Historic Preservation by Richard J. Roddewig, Senior Principal, Pannell Kerr Forster, prepared for the City of Atlanta, a Critical Issues Fund report, 1987 ($5).

The Economics of Rehabilitation by Donovan D. Rypkema, Information Series #53. 1991. (Available from Information Series, the National Trust, (202) 673-4296, $5).

Elkwood Downs: Its Fiscal Implications for Culpeper, Virginia by John E. Petersen and Matthew Montavon, the Government Finance Research Center of the Government Finance Officers Association, for the Brandy Station Foundation, a Critical Issues Fund report, 1990 ($5).

Fiscal Implications for Historic Preservation by John E. Petersen and Susan G. Robinson, the Government Finance Research Center of the Government Finance Officers Association, for the City of Atlanta, a Critical Issues Fund report, 1989 ($15).

"Local Incentives for Historic Preservation" by Constance E. Beaumont, Senior Policy Analyst, the National Trust, 1991 ($4).

"State by State Summary of Financial Incentives for Historic Preservation" by Constance E. Beaumont, 1991 ($4).

C. Land Use Planning, Zoning, and Historic Preservation

America's Downtown: Growth, Politics, and Preservation by Richard Collins, Elizabeth Waters, and A. Bruce Dotson, 1991. (Available through the Preservation Press of the National Trust, (800) 766-6847, $14.95).

"A Citizen's Guide to Protecting Historic Places: Local Preservation Ordinances," by Constance E. Beaumont, National Trust for Historic Preservation, 1992. (Available from the National Trust, (202) 673-4255, $5)

Conservation District Research Report by Deborah Marquis Kelly and Jennifer B. Goodman, Preservation Coalition of Greater Philadelphia, a Critical Issues Fund report, 1992 ($5).

Managing Growth's Impact on the MidSouth's Historic and Cultural Resources by E. L. Roy Hunt, prepared for the Historic Preservation Program, Middle Tennessee State University, Murfeesboro, Tennessee, a Critical Issues Fund report, 1988 ($3).

"Owner Consent Provisions in Historic Preservation Ordinances: Are They Legal?" by Julia Hatch Miller, reprinted from Preservation Law Reporter, 1991 ($3).

Preservation Planning and Growth Management in Four States: Oregon, Virginia, New Jersey, and Rhode Island by Constance E. Beaumont. 1991 ($15).

Responding to the Takings Challenge by Richard J. Roddewig and Christopher J. Duerksen, published jointly by the National Trust and the American Planning Association, a Critical Issues Fund report, 1989 ($20).

Reusing America's Schools by Daniel Carlson, with grant support from the Critical Issues Fund, 1991. (Available from the Preservation Press of the National Trust, (800) 766-6847, $14.95).

Rural Historic Village Protection in Maryland by H. Grant Dehart, Executive Director, Maryland Environmental Trust, prepared for the Maryland Environmental Trust, a Critical Issues Fund report, 1990 ($5).

All publications from the Critical Issues Fund can be ordered by calling (202) 673-4255.

D. Local Preservation Ordinances

Aesthetics and Land-Use Controls: Beyond Ecology and Economics (PAS #399) by Christopher J. Duerksen, 1986. Available from the American Planning Association, 1313 East 60th Street, Chicago, Illinois 60637, (312) 9559100, $20 plus shipping and handling.

A Handbook on Historic Preservation Law, edited by Christopher J. Duerksen, The Conservation Foundation, and the National Center for Preservation Law, 1983. The handbook appendix includes "Recommended Model Provisions for a Preservation Ordinance with Annotations" by Stephen N. Dennis. Available from the World Wildlife Fund, Publications Handling Department, P.O. Box 4866, Hampden Post Office, Baltimore, Maryland 21211, (410) 516-6951, $30 plus $2 shipping and handling.

Publication date: September/October 1992