1004 HP-1.2 THE DISTRICT'S HISTORIC PRESERVATION PROGRAM

1004.1 The mission of the District's historic preservation program is to foster wise stewardship of historic and cultural resources through planning, protection, and public education. This is achieved through the identification and designation of historic properties, review of their treatment, and engagement with the public, using a variety of tools to promote awareness, understanding, and enjoyment of Washington, DC's historic environment.

1004.2 The District's preservation efforts benefit from the combination of local and state functions in a unified and comprehensive preservation program. With this integration, the SHPO also serves as the District's local Historic Preservation Office (HPO).

1004.3 The foundation of the District's local preservation program is the Historic Landmark and Historic District Protection Act of 1978 (see text box Purposes of the Historic Landmark and Historic District Protection Act of 1978). This law established the District's preservation review process and its major players, including the Mayor's agent, Historic Preservation Review Board (HPRB), and HPO.

1004.3a Text Box: Purposes of the Historic Landmark and Historic District Protection Act of 1978 (DC Code § 6-1101[a])

It is hereby declared as a matter of public policy that the protection, enhancement and perpetuation of properties of historical, cultural and aesthetic merit are in the interests of the health, prosperity and welfare of the people of the District of Columbia. Therefore, this act is intended to:

1. Effect and accomplish the protection, enhancement and perpetuation of improvements and landscape features of landmarks and districts which represent distinctive elements of the city's cultural, social, economic, political, and architectural history;

2. Safeguard the city's historic, aesthetic and cultural heritage, as embodied and reflected in such landmarks and districts;

3. Foster civic pride in the accomplishments of the past;

4. Protect and enhance the city's attraction to visitors and the support and stimulus to the economy thereby provided; and

5. Promote the use of landmarks and historic districts for the education, pleasure, and welfare of the people of the District of Columbia.

1004.4 The HPRB has responsibility for the designation of historic landmarks and districts, and for advising the Mayor's agent on construction activities affecting historic properties. Through its regular monthly meetings, HPRB also serves an important role as a public forum for community and resident participation in the historic preservation process.

1004.4a Text Box: Historic Preservation Review Board

The HPRB is a group of private residents appointed by the Mayor to represent professional and community viewpoints in the historic preservation process. HPRB professional members meet the Secretary of the Interior's preservation qualifications and represent expertise in architecture, architectural history, history, and archaeology. HPRB advises the Mayor under the District law and the SHPO on matters authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act.

1004.5 In some situations, notably in Georgetown, reviews under the preservation law are conducted by the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts (CFA). Both HPRB and CFA make their recommendations to the Mayor's agent for final action. In this role, the director of the OP oversees public hearings on demolition and, when necessary, balances preservation with other public goals.

1004.5a Text box: U.S. Commission of Fine Arts

Congress established the CFA in 1910 as an independent agency to advise the federal and District governments on matters of art and architecture that affect the appearance of the nation's capital. The commission's primary role is to advise on proposed federal building projects, but it also reviews private buildings adjacent to public buildings and grounds of major importance, including Rock Creek Park (under the Shipstead-Luce Act), projects in the Georgetown Historic District (under the Old Georgetown Act), and properties owned by the District government.

1004.6 Policy HP-1.2.1: District Historic Preservation Program

Maintain a combined District historic preservation program that meets both the federal requirements for state programs and the requirements under the District's historic preservation law. Federal and local preservation programs should be coordinated under the HPO and HPRB.

1004.7 Policy HP-1.2.2: Interagency Cooperation

Develop and strengthen supportive working relationships between the HPO and other District agencies. Maintain the role of the HPO as an integral component of OP and as a resource to assist other District agencies in evaluating the effect of their undertakings on historic properties.

1004.8 Policy HP-1.2.3: Coordination with the Federal Government

Coordinate District historic preservation plans and programs with those of the federal government through processes established under the National Historic Preservation Act and through close coordination with federal landholders and key agencies, including the NCPC, CFA, NPS, and others involved in the stewardship of historic properties.

1004.9 Action HP-1.2.A: Governmental Coordination

Strengthen collaborative working relationships with federal agencies, including the CFA, NCPC, ACHP, NPS, and others involved in the stewardship of historic properties. Reinforce coordination between the HPO and other District agencies and establish new relationships as needed to address historic preservation concerns.

1004.10 Figure 10.1: Structures by Year of Construction.

1004.11 The maps above show the structures still remaining in the District today by their year of construction.

SOURCE: District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Act of 1984, effective April 10, 1984 (D.C. Law 5-76; 31 DCR 1049 (March 9, 1984)); as amended by District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Act of 1984 Land Use Element Amendment Act of 1984, effective March 16, 1985 (D.C. Law 5-187; 32 DCR 873 (February 15, 1985)); as amended by District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Amendments Act of 1989, effective May 23, 1990 (D.C. Law 8-129; 37 DCR 55 (January 5, 1990)); as amended by District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Amendments Act of 1989 NCPC-Recommended Amendments, and Closing of Public Alleys in Square 669, S.O. 88-452, Act of 1990, effective May 23, 1990 (D.C. Law 8-132; 37 DCR 2213 (April 6, 1990)); as amended by District Government Land Use Temporary Amendment Act of 1994, effective October 1, 1994 (D.C. Law 10-190; 41 DCR 5360 (August 12, 1994)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendments Act of 1994, effective October 6, 1994 (D.C. Law 10-193; 41 DCR 5536 (August 19, 1994)); as amended by District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Act of 1984 Land Use

Amendment Act of 1994, effective March 21, 1995 (D.C. Law 10-235; 42 DCR 30 (January 6, 1995)); as amended by Technical Amendments Act of 1996, effective April 18, 1996 (D.C. Law 11-110; 43 DCR 530 (February 9, 1996)); as amended by Second Technical Amendments Act of 1996, effective April 9, 1997 (D.C. Law 11-255; 44 DCR 1271 (March 7, 1997)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 1998, effective April 27, 1999 (D.C. Law 12-275; 46 DCR 1441 (February 19, 1999)); as amended by Technical Amendments Act of 1999, effective April 12, 2000 (D.C. Law 13-91; 47 DCR 520 (January 28, 2000)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 2006, effective March 8, 2007 (D.C. Law 16-300; 54 DCR 924 (February 2, 2007)); as amended by Technical Amendments Act of 2008, effective March 25, 2009 (D.C. Law 17-353; 56 DCR 1117 (February 6, 2009)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 2010, effective April 8, 2011 (D.C. Law 18-361; 58 DCR 908 (February 4, 2011)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 2021, effective August 21, 2021 (D.C. Law 24-20; 68 DCR 006918 (July 16, 2021)).