2007-12-00-CPC-rpt (Needs Assessment Report)

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Recommendations These goals can be addressed, first, through the comprehensive identification of the historic resources that are at risk in Lexington due to lack of funding, insensitive alterations or deferred maintenance, or other lack of stewardship. Second, the Town needs to provide the incentives to promote successful and sensitive rehabilitation/restoration projects, especially those that incorporate the Standards published by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior, and the adaptive reuse of historic buildings that have outlived their original purposes. Third, Lexington must avail itself of the full complement of preservation techniques, including the creation of conservation overlay districts to protect areas where the substantial oversight and control of a historic district is not warranted or feasible, and the purchase of preservation easements from owners of historic houses that would equalize their economic value so that they could be sold as houses and not teardown opportunities. Special attention should be paid to threatened classes of resources, such as modernist homes, post -World War II buildings and historic schools. Specific projects might include the following: • Acquisition of historic properties — buildings, landscapes, sites, structures or preservation easements. CPA funds could help bridge the economic gap to make possible the acquisition and adaptation of older, historic homes for affordable housing or assisted living as an alternative to teardown and redevelopment. Bricks and mortar repairs, including preparation of plans and specifications for construction, architectural/engineering assessments, and modifications for accessibility, and HVAC updates, to historic resources, including modifications for the purpose of making such historic resources functional for their intended use. Examples could include restoration and rehabilitation of the "White House" and the Stone Building (East Lexington Library). Documentation, survey, conservation and restoration of historic landscapes, including historic burying grounds and monuments. The Town -owned historic burying grounds are especially in need of restoration. • Survey and planning grants for updating existing inventories and National Register nominations. Educational projects such as the implementation of historic signs or printed brochures. The Tercentenary signs at key intersections are especially in need of restoration and repair. Other suggestions could include the preparation of a guide to the architectural styles of houses in Lexington and a manual for homeowners of historic properties providing resources for maintenance and upkeep. Preservation of historic documents and archival materials. 12