Commonwealth Preservation Group

Preservation Planning

Surry County Visitor’s Center Analysis

Surry County Visitor’s Center, Historic Photograph

Surry County Visitor’s Center Analysis

When local officials decided to convert the old Surry County Clerk’s Office to the area’s Visitor’s Center, CPG was consulted to provide guidance on the treatment of this historic property. Constructed c.1825, the small brick building sits adjacent to the county courthouse and is believed to one of only six antebellum buildings in the town of Surry. A site visit confirmed the building’s progressive state of disrepair, including damage from previous renovation work. Pooling water had also caused the structure to settle and some of its mortar to deteriorate. CPG’s assessment outlined the building’s most critical restoration needs and recommended further consultation with experts such as archaeologists and restoration masons to ensure the structure’s long-term viability.

Historic Warehouse Survey, Tidewater, VA

Virginia Ice & Freezing Co., Norfolk, VA

Virginia Ice & Freezing Co., Norfolk, VA

Commonwealth Preservation Group was contracted in the Summer of 2008 to survey and identify potentially eligible historic warehouses and industrial buildings within the cities of Norfolk, Portsmouth, Chesapeake and Virginia Beach. The purpose of the survey was to identify potential prospects for acquisition and renovation by a local developer and construction company.

Southern Bagging Co. Warehouse, Norfolk, VA

Southern Bagging Co. Warehouse, Norfolk, VA

Using historic mapping and aerial photography, key buildings were identified. Preliminary site visits were undertaken to assess certain buildings, and the remaining buildings were vetted against the existing information at the Virginia Department of Historic Resources. The lack of remaining evidence of historic industrial buildings in this area is disheartening, however it makes the remaining buildings that much more valuable. One key factor in evaluating potential eligibility for listing on the Virginia Landmarks Register and National Register of Historic Places is the relative rarity of resource type within its context.

Based on the information in this document and site visits, selected buildings have and will continue to be identified for further study.

Fredericksburg, VA Local Historic District Analysis, Historic Fredericksburg Foundation, Inc.

Historic Fredericksburg Foundation, Inc. Local District Consulting

Historic Fredericksburg Foundation, Inc. Local District Consulting

In response to several highly controversial decisions by the Architectural Review Board, as well as a resulting court case, the City of Fredericksburg, VA undertook a comprehensive analysis of their historic review ordinance, design guidelines, policies and procedures. The review was conducted by a City-appointed committee which included the Historic Fredericksburg Foundation, Inc. (HFFI).

HFFI hired CPG to assist in their review of the existing policies, as well as analysis of other programs around the Commonwealth. CPG advised Historic Fredericksburg Foundation, Inc. and provided assistance to their staff and board in evaluating recommended improvements to the local historic review ordinance and procedures.

Recommendations for improvement were made to HFFI regarding the City of Fredericksburg design guidelines, ordinance language, policies and procedures which were incorporated into the overall committee recommendations.