Arkansas Administrative Code › Agency 012 - Department of Arkansas Heritage › Division 02 - Historic Preservation Commission › Rule 012.02.01-003 - Revisions to the Manual for the Historic Preservation Restoration Grant (HPRG) Program

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 by General Revenues of the State of Arkansas and 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.
II.
GRANTS AND ELIGIBLE PROPERTIES
The Historic Preservation Restoration Grant (HPRG) is awarded
				in two Option categories.
Option 1
These are grants of up to $10,000 to fund renovation and
				restoration projects that make the properties eligible for nomination to the
National Register of Historic Places.
Option 1 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.
Option 2 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 9).
Authorized Uses of Historic Preservation and
				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 historical
				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.
- Replacement or repair of failed windows with historically
				correct windows.
- Repair or replacement of failed mechanical, plumbing, and/or
				electrical systems if the existing system(s) jeopardize 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.
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. Tips on developing a good project include:
-
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 Historic Preservation Program if you have questions regarding
				project funding priorities or guidelines for rehabilitation.
-
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. 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.
Application Packet Format
The HPRG application packet should be organized using the
				following format, with sections numbered accordingly:
1.
Application:
Two-page document available
			 from AHPP, containing basic information on applicant and proposed project.
			 Includes space for a
brief
(2-3 sentence) summary of
			 the project.
2.
Detailed Project Description:
Drawings and
			 narrative explaining how the project is to be accomplished, what materials will
			 be used, and timeline for project. Narrative should include specific
			 explanation of what project components will be funded by the grant.
3.
Color Photographs of
			 Property:
Color prints of north, south, east, and west
			 elevations of the building, along with close-up color prints of any work that
			 is to be funded with the grant.
FAILURE TO SEND COLOR PRINTS WILL RESULT
			 IN AUTOMATIC DISQUALIFICATION FOR THE APPLICATION. SCANNED OR DIGITAL IMAGES,
			 BLACK AND WHITE PRINTS, OR SLIDES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
4.
Detailed Project
			 Budget:
A line-item project budget, including material
			 costs, labor, and architect/consultant fees. A detailed estimate written by the
			 architect is acceptable. Budget should also specify which items are to be
			 grant-funded.
5.
Letters of Commitment and Support:
Letters from
			 project stakeholders (clients, local government officials, donors)
			 demonstrating community and/or financial support for the project.