Historic museum buildings in Waco — the civic landmarks, former Beaux-Arts courthouses repurposed as cultural institutions, and purpose-built museum buildings from the late 19th and early 20th century — carry regulatory requirements for exterior modifications that standard commercial buildings don't. SHPO review, Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation, and in some cases local landmark commission approval are prerequisites for roofing replacement on these buildings. A contractor who arrives at permit application without having started the SHPO process has added 60-90 days to the project schedule that didn't need to be there. We initiate SHPO coordination at contract execution on every historically designated museum building.
The National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) Section 106 consultation requirement applies to museum projects that receive federal funding — including NEH grants, IMLS programs, and federal facilities grants. Section 106 requires consultation with the SHPO and potentially with Native American tribes before undertaking any "undertaking" — which includes federally funded construction — that could affect properties included in or eligible for the National Register. For museum capital improvement projects using federal grant funds, we confirm the Section 106 consultation status with the funding agency's preservation officer before permit application.
Local landmark commission review applies to museum buildings designated as local landmarks in Waco, in addition to or instead of SHPO review. Landmark commissions in most jurisdictions have authority to approve or deny exterior modifications to designated properties, and their review processes are independent of the state SHPO process. We confirm the landmark status of every historic museum building and identify all applicable review authorities before beginning the permit process. Missing a required landmark commission review is a more common error than missing the SHPO process — local designation is less widely understood than state and federal historic registration.