Historic Preservation

by admin — last modified 2008-04-15 03:17 PM

The Historic Properties Program at Hicks & Company comprises an enthusiastic team of professionals specializing in the areas of history, architectural history, historical archeology, archival research, planning, architecture, photography, and computer aided drafting (CAD) systems.

The staff is well-versed in regulatory issues and experienced in coordinating with city, state, and federal agencies. Each staff member meets the Secretary of the Interior’s Professional Qualification Standards for their field.

Clients are offered the knowledge to make informed decisions on preservation planning issues. The program staff takes pride in its ability to communicate state and federal requirements for the treatment of historic resources to all participants in the project planning process, and in identifying the most reasonable and efficient methods for achieving the project goals of our clients.

Our team of professionals maintains a thorough understanding of the most current trends, studies, and research in the field to ensure that all work is done in accordance with the industry standard: Archeology and Preservation: Secretary of the Interior’s Standards and Guidelines (48 FR Parts 44716 et seq.). In addition to meeting standards for technical quality, our staff thoroughly understands the role of historic preservation within environmental compliance. Through on-going professional development, we hone our expertise in the nuances of complying with federal regulations including Sections 106 and 110 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and Section 4 (f) of the US Department of Transportation Rules and Regulations.

In support of these and other regulations, the Historic Preservation program at Hicks & Company offers the following services:

Identification of Historical Resources through community overviews, research designs, and surveys of neighborhoods, business districts, cemeteries, and transportation corridors
Evaluation of Historical Resources through condition assessments based on historical integrity, determination of eligibility for National Historic Landmarks, National Register of Historic Places, and state and local landmarks, and historic contexts explaining place, theme, and time
Appropriate documentation through photographs and measured drawings, (HABS/HAER) Standards, archival research and oral histories, and historic structure reports
Nominations to the National Register of Historic Places
(including National Historic Landmarks)
Designation through nominations to the National Register of Historic Places (including National Historic Landmarks), and applications for state historical markers, and local landmarks
Expertise and assistance in determining effects for NEPA and Section 106 compliance; developing Preservation Master Plans for buildings, structures, and cemeteries, and developing databases, expert systems and GIS applications customized for historic resources management.

Hicks & Company
1504 West 5th St.
Austin, TX 78703
v: 512.478.0858
f: 512.474.1849
info@hicksenv.com

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Gallery

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Corpus Christi Harbor Bridge Project

Hicks & Company architectural historians conducted a historic resource survey along US 181 and SH 386 in Corpus Christi, Nueces County, including evaluations of the National Register eligibility of historic properties and districts. The survey covered over 900 individual resources, including residences, parks, cemeteries, and commercial buildings. It also included an assessment of the effects of the removal of the historic Harbor Bridge with two alternative alignments on eligible properties and districts. This analysis included consideration of the impacts to surrounding historic resources, such as the Leopard Street commercial area.

In support of environmental compliance efforts on the State Highway 130 project (Williamson, Travis and Caldwell Counties, TX), Hicks & Company architectural historians surveyed 91 linear miles, including over 250 buildings and structures, such as houses, bridges, cemeteries, farmsteads, and the 1840s Texas Rangers cabin shown here. Hicks architectural historians also prepared all mitigation documentation, including National Register of Historic Places nominations, HABS-like medium-format photography, and landscape screening protocols for each of the 17 properties that were determined National Register eligible.

Hicks & Company architectural historians conducted intensive research of the land uses of this downtown Austin, TX project area, and discovered that hidden underneath the modern exterior of one building was the 1869 home of Susannah Dickinson – one of the few survivors of the Alamo – and her fifth husband Joseph Hannig. Hicks & Company’s architectural historians oversaw the selective demolition of the modern building elements that were obscuring the historic building and completed HABS Level I documentation by preparing large-format photographs and measured drawings. Once the architectural and archeological documentation were complete, the Dickinson-Hannig house was moved to a neighboring block and is now being restored as a museum.

Houston METRO Third Ward Project

As the City of Houston faces the necessity of expanding transportation networks, Hicks & Company architectural historians surveyed the traditionally African-American Third Ward district in Houston for a multiple property survey (MPS). An MPS documents groups of thematically related properties, placed within historic contexts with associated property types, and establishes significance and integrity requirements for nominating properties to the National Register. The survey was based on the broad themes unifying properties within the submission, such as historic events, significant persons, architectural styles, archeological types, and physical characteristics. Architecture, music, segregation, and social services are just a sample of the themes present in the project area.

As the City of El Paso explores the possibility of creating a more direct route from the international border with Mexico to the El Paso International Airport, Hicks & Co. architectural historians are providing initial analysis and guidance on ten alternatives. A historic brick smokestack, a beautifully maintained and lushly landscaped street with historic company housing, and a National Register listed irrigation canal are just a sample of the resources present in the project area.

Hicks & Company architectural historians worked with project engineers to ensure that the rehabilitation of the Corinth Street Bridge (Dallas, TX) adheres to the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties. Our team identified the character-defining features of the 1930 bridge, and recorded the condition and potential causes for deterioration of historic features, such as the concrete light standard shown here. These materials were provided to TxDOT and the Texas Historical Commission as part of the Section 106 coordination process.

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