Transportation Enhancement Grants -

Compliance with the National Historic Preservation Act

Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 and associated regulations require that projects funded by the federal government respect local history and heritage. Because Transportation Enhancement (TE) funds are federal funds administered by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the SC Department of Transportation (SCDOT) must verify that all projects meet the requirements of Section 106.
The State Historic Preservation Office at the SC Department of Archives and History advises grant recipients and SCDOT to ensure that TE projects do not adversely impact the significant characteristics of historic buildings, structures, and districts and prehistoric and historic sites. Plans for projects that have the potential to affect historic or prehistoric properties must be reviewed and approved by the Department of Archives and History before SCDOT will release funds to grant recipients. Archives and History must also approve any changes to previously approved plans.

A. Projects Not Requiring Review of Plans
Each funding cycle, SCDOT and Archives and History will perform an initial review of all projects and determine which projects Archives and History must review in greater detail. If a project is limited to one or more of the following activities, it will not require Archives and History’s review:

• acquisition of scenic or historic easements or sites unless the project includes construction or rehabilitation
• construction of sidewalks or bike lanes within existing highway rights-of-way, unless the project area is within a historic district
• conversion of abandoned railway corridors to trails if the grade will remain essentially the same, unless the project area is within a historic district
• control and removal of outdoor advertising
• establishment of transportation museums that do not include changes to a building listed in or eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
• landscaping within existing highway rights-of-way, unless the project area is within a historic district
• pedestrian and bicycle safety and education activities

B. Projects Requiring Review of Plans
The Department of Archives and History must review plans for all construction projects that have the potential to affect historic and prehistoric properties. Clearly, rehabilitation projects involving historic buildings and structures can have an impact and must be reviewed. But, other projects, such as construction of trails, can disturb archaeological sites, and streetscape improvement projects can affect the character of historic districts. After SCDOT and Archives and History review all funded projects, grant recipients who need to consult with Archives and History will receive a letter. Grant recipients are responsible for providing plans and other materials requested by Archives and History to facilitate review of the project.

1. Rehabilitation of Historic Buildings and Structures
If a project involves rehabilitation of a historic building or structure, Archives and History must review plans for the project. The goal of the review is to ensure that the proposed changes do not take away from the historic building or structure and its setting. The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation are used to evaluate plans.

To review your project, Archives and History will need to understand the historic materials and features that make the historic building unique. The following lists are intended to help grant recipients prepare material for submission to Archives and History for review. Call David Kelly (803-896-6184) at Archives and History if you have any questions. In some cases, the staff will need to make a site visit before completing their review.

Design Issues to Consider

• What are the significant historic features on the exterior and interior (exterior: wall material, windows, doors, porches, roof, chimneys, dormers; interior: circulation pattern, doors, transoms, trim, mantels, stairs, etc.) of this historic building?
• What changes are proposed? Will the historic features be retained? If not, please explain.
• Will new features be introduced? If so, what are they and what is the basis for their design? Further, how will they impact any of the significant features noted above?
• Will there be any changes in the site or other work that may physically impact significant archaeological features?

Documentation Needed by Archives and History

• Historic Photographs: Provide clear copies of historic photographs that are available. Please provide this information even if the features are missing or if they are not the basis for the new design.
• Current Photographs: Provide photographs of the existing conditions of the building. These should include interior as well as exterior features. When taking photographs, include several images of the overall building as well as some detail shots where changes are proposed.
• Plans and Specifications: Provide plans and specifications that fully document the proposed work
• New Construction: Provide a complete description of any new construction on the site. If the new work is an addition to the existing building, then include it on the floor plans for the building and include elevation drawings showing the existing building and the proposed addition. If the new construction is not connected to the historic building, but is on the site, then include a site plan showing the existing and the proposed as well as elevations of the proposed design.
• Ground Disturbance: Provide specific and detailed information about any work that will have a physical impact on the site around any historic buildings.

Tips for Successful Transportation Enhancement Historic Rehabilitation Projects
 

• Contact Archives and History early in the planning process to discuss the concept of your project and keep in touch with staff throughout the process. Do not begin any work before plans are approved.
• Become familiar with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation, which you can read on-line at http://www.nps.gov/history/hps/tps/tax/rehabstandards.htm, or call Deborah Jackson at 803-896-6178 to request a paper copy. Hire architects, engineers, and contractors who have experience with historic preservation projects. Archives and History maintains a partial list of Historic Architecture Consultants. To request a copy contact Deborah Jackson at 803-896-6178 or via e-mail at jackson@scdah.state.sc.us.
• Build time for review of plans by Archives and History into your project schedule. Because Archives and History reviews over 1,000 projects each year, this can take up to 30 days from when plans are received.
   
   

2. Streetscape Enhancement Projects
Streetscape enhancement projects within historic districts or areas with individual National Register-listed or eligible buildings can impact historic properties. For example, trees that are too large for the setting can obscure or physically impact historic buildings, and poorly planned sidewalk projects can cause damage to historic buildings. The goal of Archives and History’s review of these projects is to ensure that the proposed project will respect the history and character of your town.

Archives and History will not need to review streetscape enhancement projects that will not affect historic districts or individual buildings listed in or eligible for the National Register.

If your streetscape enhancement project will affect a historic district or individual historic buildings, Archives and History will need to understand the historic materials and special features that make your town or historic district unique. The following lists are intended to help you plan your project and prepare information to send Archives and History for review. Call David Kelly (803-896-6184) at Archives and History if you have any questions. In some cases, the staff will need to make a site visit before completing their review.

Design Issues to Consider

• What are the significant historic features (street paving, sidewalk paving, curbing, street furniture, light fixtures, poles, and traffic signals and mounts, vegetation, etc.) of this streetscape. Please provide this information whether the features still exist or not.
• Will the historic features provide the basis for the design of the new features? If not, please explain?
• Will new features be introduced? If so, what are they and what is the basis for their design? Further, how will they impact any properties that contribute to the historic district?
• Will there be any changes in grade or other work that will physically impact historic buildings?

Documentation Needed by Archives and History

• Historic Photographs: Provide clear copies of any historic photographs that are available. Please provide this information even if the features are missing or if they are not the basis for the new design.
• Current Photographs: Provide photographs of the existing conditions of the project area. These should include general streetscape images as well as unique streetscape features. When taking photographs, include several images of the overall project area as well as some detail shots where changes are proposed.
• Plans: Provide plans that show the proposed work (paving—street and sidewalk, curbs, location of street furniture, vegetation, light fixtures and poles, traffic signals and mounts). You may show these features on one sheet or several sheets.
• Details: Provide details of the street furniture, light fixtures and poles, and traffic signals and mounts. You may provide these details by sending Archives and History manufacturer’s information (commonly called "cut-sheets") or other documentation.
• Physical Impact on Historic Buildings: Provide specific and detailed information on any work that will have a physical impact on historic buildings. This includes any change of grade from the existing level at the building. Where you will place new paving at a historic building, please show the expansion joint or other treatment that provides a separation between the new and the historic materials.