Page 56 - State College, PA Design Guidelines

06.28.2018 •

Types of Relocation that May be Considered:
These options may be considered. They appear in the sequence of
preference, with the preferred presented first:

1. Reposition the historic building on the same site.
In some cases, it may be possible to reposition a structure on its original
site if doing so will accommodate other compatible improvements that will
assure preservation of the property. This may accommodate an improved
foundation, and perhaps permit an addition or other improvement to the site
that would help assure the viability of preserving the historic resource. This
is preferred because the structure will remain associated with the historic
chain of title of the land.

2. Relocate within the same block.
Moving the structure to a similar site within the same block will keep it in
the same context, and it may retain some sense of association with other
structures that it has had historically. This will also help to maintain the
character of the block as a whole.

3. Relocate elsewhere within the district.
Moving the structure to a similar site within the district will still retain some
association with the history and character of the district. Prior to moving the
building to another site within the district, the character of the receiving site
should be determined to be compatible with the building being relocated.

4. Relocate the building to a site outside the district.

This is the least preferred option because it further reduces the association
of the property with its context, and may also diminish the significance of
other historic properties remaining in the district. If this is the only option,
then the new site should be one that conveys in some manner the character
of the original location. That is to say, if the original location was in the midst
of a row of single family houses on large lots, then a similar setting should be
found.

Technical Considerations for Relocating a Building

In most cases, the building should be moved intact. In some situations,
however, moving the entire building intact may not be feasible, and it may be
necessary to move portions of the structure separately, and then reassemble
on the new site. This process is not the same as demolition. Demolition
is the destruction of the building without regard for preserving building
materials or building components intact. The process of disassembly and
reconstruction is designed to relocate the building and reinstate it in a
condition as close to the original as is feasible. It requires special care to
assure that disassembled materials are properly managed during transit and
reassembly. Note that the historic building should be reassembled before
other construction work on the site may begin.

50 STATE COLLEGE, PA • HERITAGE STATE COLLEGE DESIGN GUIDELINES