Virginia Department of Historic Resources Virginia Department of Historic ResourcesDHR’s Survey and Planning Cost Share Grant Program assists local governments in meeting their preservation planning goals through identification of historic resources. Participating localities receive partial funding and administrative support towards a preservation planning project developed in collaboration with DHR staff. Annual funding for Cost Share is limited and localities must compete to participate in the program.
How does Cost Share work?
A locality competes to participate in DHR’s Cost Share program by submitting a proposal to survey historic properties, prepare national register nominations, or develop preservation plans for its jurisdiction. Prior to submitting a proposal, a locality should participate in a project planning meeting with department staff. The department will match the amount of money the locality is willing to commit for the project. Department staff will assume the administrative burden of the project by hiring a consultant to do the work, and through our field offices closely monitor the project. Projects need to meet the expectations of the locality and the department.
How long has the program been available to Virginia localities?
The cost share program was launched in 1991, with over 120 localities participating to date.
How does the program assist local governments?
The Code of Virginia directs each jurisdiction to develop a comprehensive plan and to update it every five years. Additional legislation calls for each locality to incorporate cultural resources into its comprehensive plans. Surveys conducted under Cost Share can establish a usable cultural resource database. The database facilitates the environmental review process and helps avoid costly delays for state and federal agencies and for developers. Moreover, the resulting database and accompanying report can be critical tools in supporting or developing heritage tourism.
The survey report provides written and visual information for use in formal and general education outreach programs. A successful National Register nomination offers owners of historic properties the opportunity to pursue state and federal historic preservation tax credits. Tax credit projects can lead or boost revitalization efforts in communities. Other survey projects include the creation of a scripted slide presentation for use in informing area residents of important historic community properties, and to stimulate interest in learning more about their locality’s history.
When does a locality submit a proposal?
Generally, each spring DHR mails all local governments and invitation to submit Cost Share proposals. Localities have about 60 days to prepare proposals that the department will evaluate on a competitive basis. Criteria applied when evaluating a proposal includes the need for survey and other preservation activities in the applicant’s area, and how comprehensive and responsive the proposal is to the particular needs of an area.
How long does the process take?
Evaluation of the proposals usually takes about a month. During the following two months, the department works closely with the selected local governments to develop a scope of work and advertises for consultants to carry out the projects, using the Request for Proposal (RFP) method. The scope of work calls for at least two public meetings in the locality, along with ongoing dialogue with county, city, or town officials who have been designated as contacts by the local government. The consultants’ proposals are evaluated and a contract award is made. The general time frame for completing each project is 15 months from the time a consultant is selected.
How does a successful cost share project benefit a locality?
A Cost Share project:
What are some of the typical total costs for a Cost Share project?
These costs are estimates only and should only be used as a general guideline. The department does not guarantee the prices but is willing to work with the local governments to modify budgets or a project’s scope of work to assure a mutually satisfactory product.
In most cases, the local government provides at least one half of the cash for these projects, but DHR will entertain all proposals, regardless of the amount of local match offered. Local portions are often supplemented with funds from local historical societies and other private entities. Project proposals can be enhanced when local governments can offer office space, lodging, use of government vehicles, computers, or volunteer hours. However, in-kind services cannot be substituted for the cash contribution.
For further information regarding the Cost Share Program, contact Blake McDonald at (804) 482-6086.
Current Cost Share Projects
Select the project locality for more information about the cost share project taking place there.
Town of Ashland
Reconnaissance level architectural survey of approximately 40 properties and preparation of a National Register nomination for the proposed Berkleytown Historic District. This project responds to local interest in historic district designation of this historically African American community following the cost share funded update to the Ashland Historic District in 2016 and a cost share funded PIF in 2020.
City of Charlottesville
Reconnaissance level architectural survey of approximately 50 resources, a PIF, and a survey report for the proposed Downtown Mall Historic District. The proposed district encompasses the pedestrian walking mall designed in 1973 by the firm of Lawrence Halprin & Associates. The deliverables will support the city’s effort to develop a management plan for the Downtown Mall.
Click here to watch a webinar about the Charlottesville cost share project.
The webinar is approximately 25 minutes in length and features comments by DHR Architectural Survey and Cost Share Manager Blake McDonald, City of Charlottesville Assistant Historic Preservation and Design Planner Robert Watkins, Historical Landscape Architect Laura Knott, and Architectural Historian Tim Kerr. Click here to view the webinar slides as a PDF.
Click here to submit questions, comments, or feedback about the Charlottesville cost share project.
Fairfax County
Reconnaissance level architecture survey of 50 properties and a survey report contextualizing African American historic resources in Fairfax County. This project was inspired by a similar cost share funded effort in Fauquier County in 2020 and will be used by the county to encourage local listing of African American historic resources.
Fauquier County
Preparation of a Multiple Property Document covering African American historic resources in Fauquier County and an accompanying National Register nomination. This project builds upon the cost share funded African American historic resource survey and report completed in 2021.
Town of Wachapreague
Selective reconnaissance level architectural survey of historic resources located in the proposed Wachapreague Historic District. The district was recommended potentially eligible in 2016 and a PIF drafted by DHR staff in 2021 will go to the State Review Board in June 2021. The survey will support burgeoning preservation planning efforts in the town and record historic resources threatened by disasters and climate change.
Updated February 6, 2023
