Page 23 - Brookings, SD Historic Preservation Plan

The survey process includes a field inspection, collecting historic
information about the physical and cultural historic elements of the
property and documenting it in photographs, drawings and maps. A
survey should include a listing of all the properties researched, indi-
cating the significance of each of the resources and, where applica-
ble, should also include a description of the general character of the
district. Additionally, the survey should include a definition of the key
characteristics of individual properties as well as the defining charac-
teristics of groups of neighborhoods or groups of buildings.

For archaeological surveys, fieldwork is commonly required to assess 225 Main Avenue, a contributing
significance. In many cases, this involves the placement of hand-ex- historic structure in the Commercial
cavated probes to analyze site stratigraphy and identify any artifacts Historic District (W&Co, 2020)
and subsurface deposits. Only professional archaeologists should be
undertaking this work! The final product of any cultural resource
study is a full and detailed report documenting the methods and re-
sults of the survey.

The most recent historic resource survey in Brookings was complet-
ed in 2008. While there is not a specific timeframe in which a sur-
vey should be conducted or updated, it is essential that survey data
remains up-to-date for planning purposes.

New Survey Techniques
New technologies now allow data gathering and evaluation to oc-
cur more efficiently. An important innovation is linking survey data
through a city’s Geographic Information System. Combining historic
records and building permit information in Geographic Information
Systems improves recording and access to a wide range of property 413 1st Street South, a contributing
information. building in the Sexauer Seed Historic
District (W&Co, 2020)
Additional data may also be gathered by allowing property owners
to upload information about their properties to a City website. When
combined, these new technologies can support ongoing survey ef-
forts that ensure up-to-date documentation of a community’s historic
resources.

Some communities are also using a tiered survey system that indi-
cates varying levels of integrity and significance for historic struc-
tures. Such a survey may also identify new buildings that are com-
patible with their context. A tiered survey can be linked to a variety
of planning objectives, or be calibrated to fit differing benefits and
incentives, or review and permitting processes. For example, proper-
ties with a high level of historic significance may be subject to review 825 5th Street, a contributing property
by the BHPC, whereas a lesser level may be handled by Brookings in the Central Residential Historic
City staff. District. (W&Co, 2020)

Final Draft: February 2021 19