Abilene High - Status of historic designations

The Lincoln campus is one of the newest entries into the National Register of Historic Places. There are three types of designations, Here is a short description of these designations:

1.
National Register of Historic Places: This is administered by the Department of the Interior. The State Historic Preservation Officer must approve the application of the local group.

• Does not provide much in the way of protection against demolition
• But does make it possible for developers to use tax credits in their financing plans.
• If determined eligible for the National Register by the state, owners are prevented from using federal money for demoltion of a property.

2.
Texas State Recorded Landmark: This accompanies the state historic markers. The Texas Historical Commission will need to be notified of changes in the status of the property.

3.
Abilene Historic Landmark: This is also known as historic overlay, and is discussed in more detail below.
Update: In 2011, the Landmarks Commission, City Staff and the Abilene Independent School District agreed on a Planed Development District overlay for the Lincoln property. This will provide protection from demolition for the main buildings and historic gymnasium. Future redevelopment will need to confirm to some simple design requirements that preserve the character of the building.

 

• Makes it more difficult to demolish a building, but demolition is still possible.
• Provides an educational process for owners, with staff support and advice
• Provides a way for a property to be contributing to the look and feel of its surrounding neighborhood
• Requires a Certificate of Appropriateness before major changes are made to the exterior and provides a procedure for obtaining the Certificate of Appropriateness
• For individuals and for-profit companies, provides ad valorem tax savings from the city portion of their tax bill
• Eligibility for a plaque, “Abilene Historic Landmark”
• Improves the case for state (Texas Recorded State Landmark) and national (National Register for Historic Places) designations
• Is usually desired and requested by the owner
• Need for a Certificate of Appropriateness (C.A.) is triggered by a building permit application, or a demolition permit application.

• Is not analogous to “frozen in time”
• Does not affect what the owner can do with the interior
• No certificate is required for regular maintenance, including painting, unless there is a significant change in the color
• Does not prohibit changes like window replacement
• Selective demolition, removal of accessory buildings for redevelopment, can be allowed with a C.A.
• Modern additions can be allowed with a C.A.

• Historical, archaeological or cultural significance or value to the development, heritage or cultural, characteristics of the city, state or county
• Association with events or persons of significance
• The building style distinctive of a type, period or method of construction or architecture
• Yielding or may yield historical information
• Unique location contributing to a familiar visual feature of a neighborhood
• Represents the work of a master, designer, architect, builder or craftsman