Building Pathology
Historic Structure Reports and Conditions Assessments provide a detailed analysis of a property’s historic significance and potential eligibility for listing in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) or designation as a National Historic Landmark (NHL), a description of current physical conditions and mechanical systems, current usage, identifies threats and recommends rehabilitation measures and proper maintenance. A decade of experience in the construction field provides a more nuanced perspective on the functioning of an historic building, and practical and sustainable solutions.
RHP is assisting the owner of a rural house built in 1836 with conditions assessments and recommendations for National Register of Historic Places eligibility.
Grant Writing
Grant Writing services involve the understanding of what grants are available to properties given their specific location and circumstances, the nature of the building’s construction and use, and the financial need and organizational capacity to administer the grants. Grant applications can sometimes prove challenging to non-professionals because of the variety and extent of their requirements. RHP is experienced with the preparation and submission of successful grant applications and can help you navigate those challenges.
NHL/NRHP Nominations
NHL and NRHP Nomination forms are research-heavy documents that demonstrate the significance of a property and enable it to receive financial incentives and enjoy legal protection under circumstances described in 36 CFR 800, state laws, and local ordinances. RHP is intimately familiar with the criteria of significance for listing in the NRHP, which forms the foundation of our services and is deeply connected to historic preservation.
Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit Services
Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit projects involve three stages of review by the SHPO and NPS that ultimately enable property owners to utilize a 20% federal tax credit on qualified expenses, coupled with a state tax credit where available (NYS is 30% for projects of less than $2.5 million). RHP’s added value in these projects is our knowledge of construction techniques and services.
Historic Resources Surveys and Effects Analyses
Historic Resources Surveys and Effects Analyses are regulatory permitting documents that involve several steps; a methodology, survey, and impact assessment, often followed up by a mitigation plan. These are required for undertakings or certain projects that require government funding or permits, and are often also completed to help a municipality take stock of its own cultural and historic resources. RHP meets the Qualifications for the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Architectural History and History (per 36 CFR 61) and has experience with these reports and has supported projects in DE, MD, NJ, NY and OH, as well as at the federal level.
Architectural Design Services and Measured Drawings
Added in 2024, architectural design services include developing schematic design proposals; detailed design in the form of plans, sections, elevations; furniture layout, mood boards; and 3D visualizations of projects. Measured Drawings provide graphic representations of historic buildings but are not official architectural plans. They are meant as conceptual planning tools and documentation but are not guides to construction activities.*
*RHP does not produce “stamped” drawings at this time for building permits or other permitting activities.
RHP authored a successful state and private grants totaling over $500,000 to assist the First Ukrainian Assembly of God restore the exterior of their 1867 bank building in Manhattan’s Ukrainian Village.
A streetscape view of the Stafford Springs Historic District in Stafford, CT, for which RHP was contracted to write the National Register of Historic Places Nomination.
The 15-story National Savings Bank in Albany, NY is being rehabilitated into a luxury residential apartment building. RHP is guiding the owners and their architects through the tax credit application process.
Longfellow’s Wayside Inn is the centerpiece of a town-wide survey of historic properties in Sudbury, MA, conducted by RHP.
Cartography
Cartography services include the use of GIS to generate maps for a variety of illustrative or analytical purposes.
RHP is partnering wit the Susan Christopherson Center for Community Planning to complete a statewide survey of vacant public school buildings in Potential Environmental Justice Aeras (PEJAs) to determine the feasibility of their rehabilitation into building materials reuse centers
Color-coded plans created to help visualize the timeline of construction.
On-call Services include advice on preservation matters that don’t involve the preparation of large reports or field investigations. This work might include writing letters to SHPOs or municipalities, conducting research on behalf of a client, providing document review services, or other non-specified consultation assistance.
Preservation Planning Services include long-term facilities planning and thematic or programmatic design, and market research and feasibility studies. This also may include the identification and suggested salvage and reuse of historic building materials.