Arkansas Administrative Code › Agency 012 - Department of Arkansas Heritage › Division 02 - Historic Preservation Commission › Rule 012.02.15-001 - Rules on the Historic Preservation Grants Program: Addition of the Cemetery Restoration Grant

Current through Register Vol. 49, No. 6, June, 2024
I.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Purpose
The Arkansas Historic Preservation Program (AHPP) recognizes a
				lack of financial assistance as one of the largest obstacles to the
				preservation of historic resources in Arkansas. The purpose of the Historic
				Preservation and Restoration Grant program is to encourage and promote
				preservation of Arkansas's historic resources by providing financial assistance
				for restoration of historic properties.
Funding Source
Grants awarded by the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program
				(AHPP) are funded through Special Revenues under the Real Estate Transfer Tax
				passed as Acts 729 and 818 of 1987, the Arkansas Conservation Tax established
				by Amendment 75, or by the National Park Service, United States Department of
				the Interior. All grant recipients must follow the policies and procedures of
				the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program, as well as regulations governing
				the expenditure of all state and federal funds. The regulations set forth in
				this manual must be strictly adhered to by both the Arkansas Historic
				Preservation Program and by all grant recipients.
State and Federal
				Regulations
All grant recipients must agree to abide by and comply with
				applicable state and federal regulations and policies, including Fair Labor
				Standards, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 [
				42 USC
				2000(d) ] and Section 504 of
				the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 [
				29 USC Section
				794 ], Title IX of the Education Amendment of
				1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1991, as well as all other
				applicable state and federal laws, regulations, and executive orders dealing
				with public works, professional services, and bidding procedures.
II.
GRANTS AND
			 ELIGIBLE PROPERTIES
The Historic Preservation Restoration Grant (HPRG) is awarded
				in three Option categories.
Option 1
Grants up to $10,000 are available to fund renovation and
				restoration projects that make properties eligible for nomination to the
				National Register of Historic Places.
Eligibility
: Option 1 grants are
				available to non-profit, local government, and private property owners.
				Eligible properties must be 1) listed on the Arkansas Register of Historic
				Places, and/or 2) identified as non-contributing structures in a National
				Register District.
All owners receiving Option I grant funds must agree
				to submit a completed National Register nomination with their final
				invoice.
Option 2
Grants of $10,000 or more are available to fund approved
				restoration projects for properties listed on the National Register of Historic
				Places.
Eligibility:
Option 2 grants are
				available to non-profit and local government property owners.
Private
				property owners are not eligible for Option 2 grant funding.
Examples
				of eligible organizations include public and private schools, colleges and
				universities, libraries, museums, historical societies, local service
				organizations, churches, and city or county governments. Preference will be
				given to projects that are not eligible for other AHPP grants, such as County
				Courthouse Restoration Grants, Model Business Grants, Preservation Education
				Grants, Main Street Arkansas Downtown Revitalization Grants, or Certified Local
				Government Grants.
Any owner receiving Option 2 grant funds must sign
				and file an easement agreement with the local circuit or county clerk before
				grant funds are released (see page 10).
Option 3
Grants of $5,000 to $9,999 are available to fund approved
				restoration projects for cemeteries listed on the National Register of Historic
				Places.
Eligibility:
Option 3 grants are
				available to non-profit organizations (501 (c) 3) and units of local
				government. If the cemetery is owned by any other entity, the grant may be
				submitted and administered by an eligible non-profit or unit of local
				government on behalf of the cemetery. Examples of eligible organizations
				include cemetery preservation organizations, public and private schools,
				colleges and universities, libraries, museums, historical societies, local
				service organizations, churches, and city or county governments. Preference
				will be given to projects that are not eligible for other AHPP grants, such as
				County Courthouse Restoration Grants, Model Business Grants, Preservation
				Education Grants, Main Street Arkansas Downtown Revitalization Grants, or
				Certified Local Government Grants.
Authorized Uses of Historic Preservation
				Restoration Grants
Grants cannot be used for property acquisition costs or for
				reimbursement expenses for work done outside the grant period specified in the
				grant contract. Additionally, acquisition costs cannot be used to satisfy cash
				match requirements. Grants funds may be used for, but are not limited to, the
				following types of projects:
Option 1
- Removal of artificial exterior siding and replacement with or
				repair of original exterior siding.
- Removal of non-historic windows and replacement with original
				or replications of original windows.
- Removal of historically incorrect or inappropriate additions
				or modifications to the original structure, including porches, room additions,
				ornamentation, inappropriate roofing materials and replacements of same with
				historically correct materials.
- Replacement and/or reconstruction of missing historic
				features, including columns, porches, exterior ornamentation, chimneys, and
				exterior architectural details.
Option 2
- Repair or replacement of failed roofs with historically
				correct materials and appropriate design.
- Repair of failed foundations.
- Repair of failed structural components, i.e. joists, rafters,
				floors, load-bearing walls, trusses, columns, beams, etc.
- Projects to bring property into compliance with the
				ADA.
- Repair or replacement of failed masonry.
- Repair or replacement of failed windows with historically
				correct windows.
- Repair or replacement of failed mechanical, plumbing, and/or
				electrical system(s) if the existing system(s) jeopardizes the integrity of the
				property.
- Removal of asbestos or lead paint.
- Repair and/or installation of seismic reinforcement.
- Repair, evaluation and/or protection of archeological
				resources.
In general, for Option 2 grant applications, highest priority
				is assigned to projects mitigating a threat to a structure's integrity and
				survival. Additionally, it should be stressed that these grants are not
				intended for general maintenance projects.
Option 3
-
Preservation Activities
Preservation refers to activities that help perpetuate and care
				for historic burial sites, including planning, maintenance, documentation, and
				education. Examples:
* Perform an individual stone survey for entire site
* Develop a preservation plan with a conservator
* Initial site clean-up
* Reset markers in bases
* Archeological consultant to assess boundaries
* Projects to aid in the security of the site
* Perform a vegetation survey
* Comply with ADA minimum standards
-
Conservation Activities
Conservation refers to mechanical and chemical process used to
				treat damaged markers. Examples:
*
Clean markers using proper materials and
				methods
*
Repair of broken, chipped, cracked markers by
				conservator
*
Clean and/or repair enclosures such as plot
				coping, gates, and cast iron fencing
-
Stabilization Activities
Stabilization refers to treatments executed to retain the
				greatest cultural and structural integrity of the artifact and the site
				overall, with a minimum of intervention into the historic fabric.
				Examples:
*
Projects to arrest erosion
*
Projects to control standing water or flooding
				of property
*
Projects to document and stabilize markers until
				services of conservator can be acquired
*
Repair retaining walls
*
Repair roads and/or walkways
-
Restoration Activities
This option may only be used in conjunction with historic
				building/fencing that may be found on site, such as chapels, mausoleums,
				vaults, and gatehouses, that can be found in many of the state's historic
				cemeteries. Restoration implies significant intervention, which should be
				avoided whenever possible. When a mausoleum, for example, has deteriorated to
				the point where partial rebuilding is required, restoration is appropriate.
				True restoration includes documentation and research to determine the original
				appearance of the artifact, its structure and the treatment required.
NOTE: In general, the greater the threat a particular problem
				poses to an object, site or structure's integrity and survival, the higher the
				priority it will receive during the grant application evaluation process.
				Additionally, it should be stressed that these grants are not intended for
				general maintenance projects.
III.
PREPARING THE GRANT
			 APPLICATION
Planning the Project
An applicant for any Historic Preservation Restoration Grant
				must first determine the scope of the project to be funded. Historic
				preservation is an expensive endeavor, and most projects require careful
				prioritization. Five tips for developing a good project are:
- Understanding your project. Before you begin this project,
				you must determine the appropriate treatment. There are three approaches to the
				treatment of historic properties -preservation, restoration, and
				rehabilitation.
Preservation -
focuses on the maintenance and
				repair of existing historic materials and retention of a property's form as it
				has evolved over time. (Protection and Stabilization have now been consolidated
				under this treatment.)
Restoration -
depicts a property at a
				particular period of time in its history, while removing evidence of other
				periods.
Rehabilitation -
acknowledges the need to
				alter or add to a historic property to meet continuing or changing uses while
				retaining the property's historic character.
These treatments are defined by the National Park Service. You
				may learn more by visiting
http://www.nps.gov/tps/standards/rehabilitation.htm
or by contacting the AHPP Technical Services Coordinator.
- Ask an expert.
An architect can be invaluable in
				helping you to determine your needs and planning your project. In addition to
				giving an estimate of the project cost, an architect can also provide
				information on structural priorities and efficient scheduling. Also, feel free
				to contact the AHPP if you have questions regarding project funding priorities
				or guidelines for the appropriate treatment.
- Phase it out.
Funds for HPRG are often limited,
				and few applicants receive the total amount requested in their application. By
				dividing the project into phases, you provide a way for funding to be used
				effectively even if you don't get everything you requested. You can apply for
				more funding in the next grant cycle.
- Know your limitations.
Administering a grant
				project requires time and attention to detail. Please don't commit yourself or
				your organization to a project if you are unwilling to invest the necessary
				resources to complete it. In the same vein, don't commit yourself to a cash
				match unless you can be sure it will be in place when you sign the grant
				contract.
- Paint a Picture.
Writing a grant application
				requires that you provide enough detail for the reviewer to objectively
				consider your proposal. The reviewer may not be able to visit the property in
				person, so your description and photographs will be the only presentation they
				will have. However, note that a lengthy description may detract from your
				proposal, so please strive to be detailed yet concise. Photographs are
				essential! They should be clear and depict the serious deterioration, or
				proposed restoration and rehabilitation areas.
IV .
AHPP APPLICATION
			 REVIEW PROCESS
Grants are awarded annually. The technical staff of the AHPP
				reviews applications for completeness and project eligibility. The staff
				forwards the completed rating sheet and any additional recommendations to the
				Historic Preservation Grants Selection Committee, consisting of the following
				members:
1) Director of the Arkansas
			 Historic Preservation Program;
2)
			 the Chair of the State Historic Preservation Review Board, or another Board
			 member designated by the Chair; and
3) a Constituent at Large designated by the
			 State Historic Preservation Officer.
Selection Criteria
The Grants Selection Committee uses the following primary
				criteria to evaluate proposals:
- Degree of urgency and level of threat.
- Historic significance of property.
- Proposed use and local impact the project will have to the
				community.
- Evidence that the objectives of the project can be achieved
				within the timeframe set forth by AHPP.
- Evidence that the budget is realistic and reasonable.
- Qualifications and experience of the applicant and
				contractors participating in the project.
- Past performance of applicant on previous grant projects.
				Applicant must be in good standing with the Department of Arkansas Heritage
				regarding all grants previously received from agencies of the
				Department.
- Evidenced support of fund source for matching funds.
- Completeness of application.
Eligibility vs.
				Fundability
With limited funding and because AHPP is ultimately concerned
				with protecting and preserving the state's historic resources, grant funding
				recommendations largely favor those project activities which correct conditions
				that imminently threaten the structural viability of the property - sealing the
				envelope of the building (roof, window, masonry projects); and addressing
				failing foundations and other structural issues. Because of federal mandates
				placed on public buildings, projects involving ADA components also receive
				priority consideration. Also, conditions which present a hazard to the
				building's occupants (unvented gas heaters, fire safety issues, etc.) or to the
				building itself (hazardous electrical wiring) are priorities for grant
				funding.
As a general rule, projects involving sidewalks, interior
				finishes, correcting inappropriate past "remodels," etc. in a building that is
				accessible and structurally sound may be assigned a lower priority and receive
				no funding. The AHPP staff understands that these are worthy projects and would
				greatly enhance the public's use of these properties. Unfortunately, limited
				funding may mean that while these projects are eligible, they are not
				necessarily competitive or fundable.
Notification
A notification letter from the Governor of the State of
				Arkansas will be sent to all applicants who were approved for grant
				funding.