Scenarios and Guidance

1. Find out if the property is designated using ConnCRIS.

2. Understand the relevant state and federal regulations. Contact the SHPO to check before you get started. If your project includes certain state and federal funding and/or permitting, the project will need to abide by Section 106 review and the Connecticut Environmental Policy Act. Familiarize yourself with the Environmental Review Procedures and the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation.

3. Find A Professional on PCT’s Site or a consultant position on PreserveNet.

4. Find funding for your project.

•  Preservation Connecticut’s Current Funding Opportunities
• SHPO’s Current Funding Opportunities

5. Post an RFP on PCT’s website.

6. Work with Sustainable CT to ensure any project work is advancing Sustainability goals. The project may be eligible for funding.

1. Learn about and Adopt Local Preservation Laws such as village overlays, local historic preservation ordinances and demolition delay ordinances.

2. Hire a consultant to conduct research and help develop ordinances, which is an eligible expense under the SHPO’s Survey and Planning Grants

3. Connect with the National Alliance of Preservation Commissions for technical assistance and educational support.

1. Initiate a conversation with the current property owner to explore alternatives to demolition. This could include potential funding opportunities and benefits associated with historic preservation. PCT Circuit Riders can help facilitate that conversation.

2. Explore regulatory options:

• Explore the options provided by the CT Environmental Protection Act
• Enact your demolition delay if a permit has been pulled already.
• Make or enforce rules relating to Property Maintenance and existing blight codes.
• Implement a municipal Demolition by Neglect ordinance. Resources are available from the National Alliance of Preservation Commissions or review sample demolition-by-neglect ordinances from Washington, DC, Detroit, and New Orleans.

3. Explore advocacy options with non-profits:

• Work with you local preservation group, Preservation Connecticut, or Connecticut Preservation Action.
• Nominate properties to an endangered properties list to raise awareness. One local example is the Hartford Preservation Alliance’s Endangered Properties program.

1.Use the resources available froming being a Certified Local Government Program, which allows participating communities to be eligible for additional grant funding and technical assistance.

2. Use your municipalities current POCD, preservation plan, etc. to see if there is guidance in place.

3. Utilize your Village District Overlay or local historic District designation, which allow for thoughtful development in historic areas.

4. Reach out to PCT for ideas about adaptive use for housing or commercial purposes in historic mills: Resources for Mills Owners & Developers

5. Work with Sustainable CT to ensure any project work is advancing sustainability goals within the context of the National Park Service’s guidelines.

6. Organize outreach and education activities or events to share information about the importance of incorporating historic properties into new planning and development. PCT can help!

1. Donating open space can help protect it in perpetuity. Seek advice from organizations like those listed by the CT NEMO Program, The Recreation and Natural Heritage Trust Program or the Trust for Public Land.

2. Seek advice from professional and volunteer organizations like the Connecticut Cemetery Association.

3. Find A Professional through PCT to help with your efforts.

4. Encourage additional funding to the state’s Neglected Cemetery Account Grant Program.

5. Acquire title to an abandoned cemetery – find more information in this article: Site Lines: Grave Deeds and Abandoned Cemeteries.

1. Be innovative in thinking about how to fund projects that meet a variety of goals at one time and apply for a CT Communities Challenge Grant.

2. Adopt the Main Street approach, an economic development program rooted in historic preservation which builds on four pillars: design, economic vitality, promotion, and organization. Reach out to the Connecticut Main Street Center to learn more about local programs, and Main Street America for more information on the national program. Identify and market buildings that are candidates for rehabilitation. Historic downtown/Main Street buildings may be candidates for historic preservation tax incentives.

1. Conduct a community or neighborhood-wide survey of historic places to understand your community assets. SHPO can help you get started with that process. And, there’s funding available for that! Apply to the Certified Local Government Program, which allows participating communities to be eligible for additional grant funding and technical assistance. Other Funding Opportunities are available with the Department of Economic and Community Development.

2. Review entries in ConnCRIS and contact the SHPO for guidance. You could nominate sites to the National Register using guidance on Traditional Cultural Properties.

2. If the site is largely open space, acquire and donate it for permanent protection. Look into resources available at the CT NEMO Program and The Recreation and Natural Heritage Trust Program.

3. Reach out to the Office of State Archaeology housed at the University of Connecticut. Staff will be able to ensure you are following relevant laws and provide additional guidance.

4. Connect with the Native American Heritage Advisory Council, a state-appointed committee made up of tribal representatives, archaeologists, and legislative leaders.

1. If your project includes certain state and federal funding and/or permitting, the project may need to abide by Section 106 review or the CT Environmental Policy Act. Contact the SHPO to check before you get started.

2. Reach out to the Office of State Archaeology housed at the University of Connecticut. Staff will be able to ensure you are following relevant laws and provide additional guidance.

3. Connect with the Native American Heritage Advisory Council, a state-appointed committee made up of tribal representatives, archaeologists, and legislative leaders.

4. Contact the Archaeological Society of Connecticut to connect and network with professional archaeologists.