LaRC carries out its Section 106 responsibilities for actions affecting the built environment through implementation of the terms of their PA for undertakings at LaRC. The PA was executed in 2010 among NASA, the Advisory Council, and the Virginia SHPO (Appendix F). 5.1.1 Categorization of Architecturally Significant Properties
The PA provides a system for categorizing buildings and structures and for assigning agreed upon treatments for each category of property. The historic preservation priority categories applicable to the built environment are divided into the following categories:
Historic Preservation Priority Category 1 – A building or structure that is either individually
listed or considered individually eligible for listing in the National Register and possesses high integrity of (as applicable) location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling, and association.
Historic Preservation Priority Category 2 – A building or structure that is either listed or
considered eligible for listing in the National Register as a contributing resource to the LaRC Historic District (DHR ID# 114-5313). In addition to retaining physical integrity, Category 2 resources are directly associated with aeronautics and space exploration and/or possess architectural, engineering or aesthetic value and/or are rare examples of distinctive property types functionally related to the history of aeronautics and space exploration.
Historic Preservation Priority Category 3 – A building or structure that is either listed or
considered eligible for listing in the National Register as a contributing resource to the LaRC historic district. Though contributing to the district, their removal or alteration will not compromise the significance or character of the LaRC Historic District as a whole. Resources in this category are of lesser significance due to diminished physical integrity, lack architectural,
engineering or aesthetic distinction and/or due to their ancillary relationship to projects directly associated with NASA’s significance related to aeronautics and space exploration.
Historic Preservation Priority Category 4 – A building or structure that has been evaluated in
accordance with National Register criteria for evaluation (36 CFR Part 60) as set forth in the Advisory Council’s regulations (36 CFR Part 800.4) and found to be not eligible for inclusion in the National Register either individually or as a contributing resource to the LaRC Historic District, or that is less than forty-five years old at the time of evaluation; or is not included in the National Register.
5.1.2 Treatment of Architecturally Significant Historic or Contributing Properties
Each historic preservation priority category described above has an applicable treatment category, which outlines specific historic preservation treatment considerations for each category. These treatment categories along with corresponding coordination requirements are summarized below.
Historic Preservation Treatment Category 1 – These aspects of the built environment are treated,
to the greatest extent possible, in accordance with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for
the Treatment of Historic Properties with Guidelines for Preserving, Rehabilitating, Restoring, and Reconstructing Historic Buildings (Secretary’s Standards). LaRC shall consider the
continued adaptive reuse of Historic Preservation Priority Category 1 properties in carrying out NASA’s mission. Attempts will be made to ensure that alterations do not radically change, obscure or destroy character-defining features, spaces, materials or finishes. If alterations are judged to be the only viable alternative, then they shall be designed in such a manner as to be visually differentiated from the historic building so that it does not destroy, obscure, change or damage character-defining features.
Historic Preservation Treatment Category 2 – These properties shall, to the greatest extent
possible be treated in accordance with the Secretary’s Standards and LaRC shall actively encourage the continuing and adaptive use of Category 2 property in carrying out NASA’s mission and in assisting tenants in carrying out their missions. .
Nothing in the above shall require LaRC to restore rather than rehabilitate Historic Preservation Priority Category 1 and 2 buildings and structures. The HPO will review all projects for potential impacts to historic properties. The following provides coordination requirements depending on the historic preservation priority Category. Steps for coordinating Historic Preservation Priority Category 1 and 2 properties are summarized in Figure 5-1.
TREATMENT CATEGORY 1 AND 2 COORDINATION REQUIREMENTS HPO determinations of no adverse effect are submitted to the Virginia SHPO for
review and comment. Undertaking may proceed following Virginia SHPO concurrence.
Undertakings affecting Historic Preservation Priority Category 1 and 2 buildings and structures that are not in accordance with the Secretary’s Standards will be submitted to the Virginia SHPO along with proposed mitigation measures and documentation outlined in 36 CFR §800.11(e) for review and comment.
If the Virginia SHPO objects to the proposed mitigation measures, LaRC will consult with the Virginia SHPO and ACHP in accordance with 36 CFR §§800.5 and 6.
Figure 5-1. – Treatment Category 1 and 2 Coordination Requirements
Historic Preservation Treatment Category 3 – The exteriors of these buildings and structures
shall be treated in accordance with the recommended procedures in the Secretary’s Standards to the extent they are consistent with needs of LaRC’s mission and availability of resources. Steps for coordinating Category 3 properties are summarized in Figure 5-2.
TREATMENT CATEGORY 3 COORDINATION REQUIREMENTS
LaRC need not consult with the Virginia SHPO or Advisory Council for projects that involve maintenance, repair, demolition, disposal or neglect of Historic Preservation Priority Category 3 property provided there are no effects to other historic property.
If Historic Preservation Priority Category 3 property is to be demolished, it will be documented prior to demolition, in accordance with the Standard Documentation Measures outlined in the PA. Following documentation, no further review is required.
Figure 5-2. – Treatment Category 3 Coordination Requirements
Historic Preservation Treatment Category 4 – LaRC does not need to maintain or preserve
Category 4 buildings or document such properties prior to demolition, alteration, or disposal. Steps for coordinating Category 4 properties are summarized in Figure 5-3.
TREATMENT CATEGORY 4 COORDINATION REQUIREMENTS
LaRC does not need to consult with the Virginia SHPO, the Advisory Council, or members of the public regarding actions affecting Historic Preservation Priority Category 4 property unless there is the potential for effects to other properties. Consultation on Historic Preservation Priority Category 4 buildings may be
necessary under other laws other than Section 106 of the NHPA.
Figure 5-3. – Treatment Category 4 Coordination Requirements
Historic District Considerations – LaRC will attempt to avoid undertakings that may alter either
directly or indirectly the character-defining features of the LaRC Historic District. Specifically, new construction within and immediately adjacent to the LaRC Historic District, shall to the greatest extent practicable be designed in a manner that takes into account the district’s overall character in terms of height, scale, massing, set-backs, color, materials, and detailing.
Building Interiors – Interior spaces and features that are identified as Unique Features or listed as
significant by the HPO shall be treated in accordance with the treatment category measures stipulated for the Historic Preservation Priority Category assigned to the building containing the feature. If there are no identified significant interior features, the buildings interior features shall be treated in accordance with Treatment Category 4.