National Register Historic District
Travis
Heights and Fairview Park have received the approval of the Texas Historical Commission to begin the application process for designation as a National Historic District of Significance on the National Register of Historic Places.
The National Register of Historic Places is a federal program
administered in Texas by the Texas Historical Commission in coordination with the National
Park Service. Listing in the National Register provides national
recognition of a property's historical or architectural significance
and denotes that it is worthy of preservation. Buildings, sites,
objects, structures and districts are eligible for this designation if
they are at least 50 years old and meet established criteria. Plaques
are available, but not required, for this designation.
National Register Historic District
A National Register historic district is a historic district that is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The National Register is our country's official list of historic places worthy of preservation. It includes individual buildings, structures, sites, and objects as well as historic districts that are historically, architecturally, or archaeologically significant.
The National Register is maintained by the U.S. Department of the Interior.
Local Historic Districts, in contrast, are administered by cities and not the State.
The main difference is that Historic Commission's design review and approval is not required for changes to properties listed only on the National Register. Often the HDC does review proposed changes and offer suggestions so the alterations will not have an adverse effect on the resource. National Register Districts do not impose design standards. They are only recommendations.
Those receiving grant assistance or federal tax credits for rehabilitation projects, however, must adhere to certain standards. To learn more about the tax advantages, visit Federal Tax Credits
There is not a sign-on percentage required to establish a National Register district. Property owners have the opportunity to comment on the proposed action, either by supporting the nomination or by submitting an objection to the THC. If you wish to object, you must do so in a notarized letter that certifies both your ownership of the property and your objection to the nomination.
With a National Register designation, the property receives extra consideration before any federal projects, such as highway construction, are undertaken.
Benefits of Listing a Property in the National Register
The National Register of Historic Places is our nation's official list of properties significant in American history, architecture and archeology. Listing in the National Register denotes that a property or historic district is worthy of preservation. Properties successfully nominated and listed in the National Register are:
- Vital to the stabilization of property values within historic areas
- Important components of local heritage tourism programs
- Integral in the development of local heritage education initiatives
- Afforded some protection from federal activities
Owners of properties listed in the National Register may:
- Receive a certificate of listing from the Texas Historical Commission
- Purchase an official National Register plaque through the Texas Historical Commission
- Be eligible for financial incentives such as grants and tax abatements
- Receive technical assistance from Texas Historical Commission staff about maintenance and restoration issues
Owners of properties listed in the National Register are NOT:
- Required to provide public access to their property
- Obligated to use, maintain, restore or rehabilitate the property following any restrictive guidelines
- Subject to restrictions of any kind
Read what Bob Vila has to say about living in historic districts.