Synopsis

This project combined a traditional historic resource survey with a broader assessment of neighborhood commercial conditions to support informed preservation planning within an evolving urban environment. The work was designed to move beyond documentation alone, recognizing that long-term preservation outcomes are closely tied to the economic health and viability of historic commercial corridors.

The survey involved the identification and evaluation of historic resources within a defined neighborhood context, with attention to architectural character, patterns of development, and integrity at both the individual-resource and district levels. This documentation was undertaken alongside a parallel analysis of existing commercial activity, building occupancy, and use patterns to better understand pressures and opportunities affecting historic properties.

By integrating preservation survey data with a high-level understanding of local economic conditions, the project provided a more complete picture of how historic resources function within the contemporary community. This approach supported the identification of areas where preservation goals could be reinforced through compatible economic activity, as well as locations where market conditions posed heightened risk to historic fabric.

The resulting analysis informed planning and development discussions by framing historic resources as active contributors to neighborhood vitality rather than isolated artifacts. The work offered decision-makers a defensible basis for aligning preservation strategies with economic realities, supporting policies and interventions that strengthened both the historic character and the commercial resilience of the community.

This project demonstrates how neighborhood-scale surveys can serve as strategic tools—linking preservation documentation to development insight in order to better protect historic resources over time.