HomeMy WebLinkAboutHDC1984-008 Corrspondence 2ARKANSAS
HISTORIC
PRESERVATION
PROGRAM
May 28, 1986
Mr. Robert Atkinson
Office of Comprehensive Planning
City Hall
Markham at Broadway
Little Rock, AR 72201
RE: MacArthur Park Historic District
Contributing Structure Designation
Dear Robert:
I am writing this letter to clarify how the Arkansas Historic Preservation
Program (AHPP) makes decisions regarding contributing and non-contributing
buildings in MacArthur Park Historic District.
One factor that must be kept in mind is that this is both a National Register
Historic District and a Local Ordinance Historic District and that although
the boundaries for the two districts coincide the criteria for inclusion -in
either of the two is different.
The Secretary of the Interior defines contributing in regard to a !National
Register Historic District as: a building, site, structure, or object which
adds to the historic architectural qualities, historic associations, or
archeological values for which a property is significant because a) it was
present during the period of significance, and possess historic integrity re-
flecting its character at that time or is capable of yeilding important
information about the period, or b) it independently meets the National Register
criteria.
The MacArthur Park Historic District Guidelines as prepared by the City ❑f
Little Rock Office of Comprehensive Planning specifies that special care should
be given to Priority One and Priority Two structures. The definitions for these
two categories of structures can be found on page 1-5 of the above referenced
publication. The definition of a Priority Two Structure states that the role
of an individual structure is considered on the basis of its value to the
neighborhood, and the loss of or desecration to any structure on this List is
a loss to the City and State. We interpret this to mean that if a structure
contributes to the district in any way, be it scale, form or massing, and has an
association with the historic period it is a Priority Two structure.
Suite 200 • Heritage Center • 225 East Markham • Little Rock, Arkansas 72201 • Phone (501) 371-2763
A Department of Arkansas Heritage
Page 2
When making a determination regarding whether or not a structure contributes
to the MacArthur Park Historic District we apply the criteria that is pertinent
to each individual case. If we are making a decision regarding whether or not
a building is eligible for the Rehabilitation Tax Credits we must apply the
National Register Criteria, which is the more stringent of the two. If we
are making a recommendation to the Historic District Commission we apply the
MacArthur Park Historic District Guidelines.
I realize that the existance of dual criteria can be confusing and I hope
that I have been able to explain the difference between the two criteria
we use and why. The AHPP appreciates the opportunity that the MacArthur
Park Historic District has extended to us to provide comments on Certificates
of Appropriateness and looks forward to continuing this relationship. If
you should have any additional questions regarding this issue or any other
please do not hesitate to contact our office.
Sincerely,
r
Wilson Stiles
State Historic Preservation Officer
WS/BH/do
cc: MacArthur Park Historic District Commission