Assessment of Programs and Projects

Survey And Identification Of Historic Resources

The Comprehensive Historic Resource Survey (CHRS) will be beneficial on several fronts, including addressing the following specific historic resource or historic preservation issues/topics:  

  • Previously un-surveyed areas, including pre-history and archeological sites;
  • Buildings and sites that relate to the Civil Rights movement;
  • Buildings and site that related to Civil War activity;
  • Buildings, districts, and sites related to the City’s industrial, rural, and semi-rural past;
  • Buildings, sites, and districts which have become 50 years old or older since 1987;
  • The remaining “pre-World War II neighborhoods”;
  • The revised designation of buildings, sites and districts as a result of the City's Historic Preservation Ordinance of 1989;
  • Buildings which are no longer eligible for inclusion; and
  • Better computer and mapping technology for gathering, analyzing, and displaying information.

As the City continues to receive more federal funding, more areas of the City will be surveyed and determined eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places.  This determination is required under the Section 106 review process, as outlined in the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended.

There is a lack of research and information regarding a wide variety of Atlanta's historic resources, such as the remnants of the City's rural past, remnants of the City's industrial past, and cemeteries that have been abandoned due to churches having been demolished or congregations having relocated.

Local and National Nomination of Historic Resources

It is expected that the number of neighborhoods and individual property owners seeking listing in the National Register of Historic Places and designation by the City will increase due to: 1) increased developmental pressures on historic intown neighborhoods; 2) recognition of designation as a revitalization tool; and 3) the various economic incentives which are available for designated properties.

The Urban Design Commission's current staff will be unable respond as it has in the past to the increased number of property owners or neighborhoods seeking designation by the City or listing in the National Register of Historic Places.  Even with an additional staff person, the increasing demand for designation by the City and listing activities will exceed the Urban Design Commission resources. 

Review and Regulation of Historic Resources

The Urban Design Commission staff will be unable to properly respond to the resulting number and complexity of requests for Certificates of Appropriateness as if additional properties come under the Urban Design Commission's regulation.   One of the causes of the complexity results from the rise of real estate prices and property owners attempting to build new houses or large additions that increase the intensity of use on their lot to the absolute maximum.  The number of reviews under taken by the Commission has gone from 86 in 1991 to over 400 in 2002.  Even with an additional staff person, the increasing demand for and complexity of Certificates of Appropriateness will exceed the Urban Design Commission resources.   This situation will be made even more difficult with the retirement this year of one long term Urban Design Commission staff person which amounts to 25% of the Urban Design Commission staff. 

The Economic Review Panel is used inappropriately.  It should be convened only for the purpose of assessing the reasonable economic return argument for the demolition of contributing structures in City-designated districts.  For example, in revising the Cabbagetown Landmark District regulations, non-contributing structures in that district are no longer required to go before an Economic Review Panel. 

Section 106 reviews by the staff under the current programmatic agreements will reveal the strengths and weaknesses of those agreements and may necessitate further changes or amendments to avoid unnecessary delays in City projects.  This experience could also affect the structure and requirements of the proposed citywide programmatic agreement.  

There is no legislation that ensures archeological sites and Civil War trenches are not plundered.

Long-term and sustainable strategies do not exist that would help prevent the demolition of abandoned and dilapidated residential structures in City-designated districts.

Economic Incentives

While the City has an innovative array of economic incentives, several issues require additional attention.  The tax assessment “freezes” currently available must be evaluated regarding: 1) ease of application; 2) possibility of freezing the assessment of City-designated Landmark buildings with regards to Fulton County taxes; and 3) historic properties being assessed at their designated level of land use.  Economic incentives set out in the Atlanta Comprehensive Historic Preservation Program, such as mortgage guarantees and a revolving loan fund, need to be evaluated as to their viability for the City.  In addition, there is minimal technical support for property owners applying for the tax abatements for designated properties as provided for by State and City law. 

The Urban Design Commission must determine if is feasible in the future with adequate funding and staffing to provide “bricks and mortar” funding for the rehabilitation of historic structures (both commercial and residential), or if this effort type of program should be permanently eliminated in light of the City’s budget and staff constraints.  Any such historic rehabilitation or facade program must address: 1) identifying and assisting potential applicants; 2) providing incentives for applicants to participate; 3) assuring that design and construction work meets appropriate standards; 4) creating economies of scale; and 5) once properties are rehabilitated, assuring they are maintained.

Historic Park Master Plans And Projects

Most the City's historic parks lack master plans that will allow the City to preserve, enhance and maintain these parks appropriately.  Master plans must be developed in accordance with the Department of the Interior's Guidelines for the Treatment of Historic Landscapes and include comprehensive management plans. Archeological surveys need to be conducted wherever a potential archeological site is identified. Surveys should also identify architectural features and important landscape features, such as original gardens or historic specimen trees.  Potential educational programs should be identified. 

In addition, many of the historic parks have an enormous potential to be better incorporated into the City’s open space network.  For example, the history of the City is the history of railroads and later trolley car lines.  "Rails with Trails" could be developed within the railroad corridor that encircles the City and links many historic neighborhoods and warehouse districts.  Other historic sites and structures could integrate well into the greenway system: Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site and Copenhill, Margaret Mitchell House, Freedom Walk, Auburn Avenue, Underground Plaza, Railroad Depot Plaza, Zero Mile Post in downtown Atlanta, archaeological sites--such as at Cascade Springs Nature Preserve--and Civil War battle sites.

Public Outreach And Interpretation

There is minimal information regarding the City's historic resources for tourists, especially guides for foreign tourists and those interested in the Civil Rights movement in Atlanta.  While the Freedom Walk brochure, the National Park Service interpretation of the M. L. King Jr. Birth Home and the Atlanta Preservation Center's tours of Sweet Auburn provide ample information for that area, few of Atlanta's other historic resources (such as the Fairlie-Poplar National Register of Historic Places District) can offer anything comparable.

Those seeking information and walking or driving tours dealing with the City’s historic resources will increase as Atlanta’s tourism industry continues to grow, heritage tourism receives more attention locally, older neighborhoods are revitalized, and the general public becomes more aware of the benefits of working, living, or visiting Atlanta’s Downtown and other areas containing historic resources.

Operations and Information Technology

Revised informational brochures are needed to increase the public’s awareness of the Urban Design Commission’s areas of responsibilities and procedures.  Such brochures would include 1) a general introduction to the Urban Design Commission; and 2) how a property is designated and the effect of the designation.  In addition, this information should be available on the Urban Design Commission’s website. 

The Urban Design Commission’s website should provide more interactivity, downloadable materials and maps, links to appropriate, related websites, and information about historic properties, both designated by the City and others.