HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/16/1993, C-3 - NOMINATION OF THE OLD SOUTHERN PACIFIC RAILROAD WATER TOWER TO THE MASTER LIST OF HISTORIC RESOURCES, LOCATED IN RAILROAD SQUARE, ACROSS THE RAILROAD TRCKS FROM THE TRAIN DEPOT. �N �RII��NIIIIIIIuI�IlUlll MEETIN DA
I�VI�I Cl� of e�San MS OBISpO ITEM NUMB A:
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
FROM: Arnold Jonas�ommunity Development Director; By: Jeff , sociate Planner
SUBJECT: Nomination of the Old Southern Pacific Railroad Water Tower to the Master List
of Historic Resources, located in Railroad Square, across the railroad tracks from the train
depot.
CAO RECOMMENDATION: Adopt a resolution adding the water tower to the Master List.
ADVISORY BODY RECOMMENDATION
At its February 22, 1993 meeting, the Cultural Heritage Committee nominated the Old Southern
Pacific Railroad Water Tower to the Master List of Historic Resources on a unanimous vote of
the six members present (Mr. Lewis absent).
SITUATION
At the City Council's March 2, 1993 meeting, staff was authorized to proceed with grant
funding applications for four community improvement projects under the Intermodal Surface
Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 Program (ISTEA - pronounced like "ice tea"). The
program includes matching grant funds for restoration of historic transportation structures (grant
program description attached). The Old S.P. Water Tower is one of four programs for which
the City intends to seek grant funding. To be eligible for funding, the water tower must be
designated as historically significant under the City's Historic Preservation Program Guidelines.
Data Summga
Applicant: City of San Luis Obispo
Representative: Jeff Hook
Project Address: 1100 Iris Street (nearest street location to water tower)
Zoning: C/OS
General Plan: Conservation/Open Space
Site Description and Setting
(see attached map and supporting documentation)
DISCUSSION
In 1982, Southern Pacific Transportation Company applied for a city permit to demolish the.old
water tower. As required by the municipal code, the railroad applied for demolition approval
through the City's Architectural Review Commission. On July 6, 1982 the ARC determined that
the structure was historically significant and denied demolition. Subsequently, the City
purchased the water tower property from the railroad as the first step toward preservation. The
City has since spent about $15,000-to remove asbestos, clean up the site, and to strengthen the
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WON COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
Staff Report
Page 2
tower foundation and post supports to remove safety hazards and stabilize the tower structure.
Remaining restoration work was put on hold by the City Council in 1990, with direction to staff
to seek outside grant funding for restoration.
The possibility now exists for grant funding to cover up to 88 percent of restoration costs. Plans
and specifications are ready to restore the water tower to its original appearance, including wood
roof and capital, indicator board, and architectural detailing. The purposes of restoration are
to preserve an historically significant railroad structure, and to enhance the esthetic character of
an important city gateway.
At the CHC's January 25, 1993 meeting, committee members discussed the possibility of
nominating the old water tower and several other railroad structures to the City's Master List
of Historic Structures. Due to the short time frame of this first "accelerated" phase of grant
funding, consideration of the water tower for historic nomination has been moved ahead of other
"Phase Il Survey" projects to comply with grant funding requirements.
HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE
The City Council has established four historic zones in the City. All but one are concentrated
in the downtown area — the fourth is in Railroad Square, at the south end of Osos Street near
the old Southern Pacific depot. The council added an "H" overlay zone to the zoning map to
designate the railroad area as "historic" due to its high concentration of older structures, and due
to its historical and visual importance. San Luis Obispo can trace its early growth and
development to two main factors: the founding of Mission San Luis Obispo, and the
development of narrow gauge, and later the standard gauge railroad facilities built by Southern
Pacific.
Built in 1940 at a cost of$2,130, the water tower refilled the boilers of Southern Pacific's steam
engines on the "coast route" between San Francisco and Los Angeles. Once numerous in
railroad towns and cities throughout the West, the railroad water towers are now obsolete. Only
a few of these impressive monuments to our railroad heritage remain.
Since the water tower was retired in 1956, the elements Have taken their toll on the 65,000
gallon steel tank and support tower. The tower's concrete foundation, timber supports, and steel
connections have been repaired or replaced, and its asbestos pipe coating has been removed.
In the final restoration phase, the rusted storage tank will be cleaned and repainted, the tower's
cross bracing will be.strengthened, cleaned and painted, and the wood roof and indicator panel
showing the water level inside the tank will be rebuilt to original specifications. When
restoration is complete, the water tower will look as it did in 1941 when passenger trains made
ten scheduled trips daily between Los Angeles and San Francisco.
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�` COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
Staff Report
Page 3
What's Next
If City Council confirms the CHC's nomination, the application would then be forwarded to the
San Luis Obispo Area Council of Governments for ranking along with other eligible projects in
the County, with a funding decision by the State expected in early Summer 1993. Plans and
specifications are ready, and if funded, the project will go out to bid in late summer or fall with
construction beginning soon after.
ALTERNATIVES
1. Adopt resolution adding the Old Southern Pacific Railroad Water Tower for
designation as a significant historic structure based on the attached historical
documentation and upon appropriate findings. This will allow the City to proceed with
the ISTEA application for restoration of the water tower, consistent with the City
Council's direction at its March 3rd meeting.
2. Do not add the.Old Southern Pacific Railroad Water Tower for designation at this
time. This would mean that the Old Water Tower would not be eligible for grant
funding through the ISTEA program.
3. Continue the item for additional information or study, and specify the
the additional information or analysis needed.
Attachments:
-Draft resolution
-Vicinity map
-Historic documentation
-CHC draft minutes
-Excerpt, ISTEA program description
RESOLUTION NO. (1993 SERIES)
A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO
AMENDING THE MASTER LIST OF HISTORIC RESOURCES TO
INCLUDE THE OLD SOUTHERN PACIFIC RAILROAD WATER TOWER,
LOCATED AT 1100 IRIS STREET IN THE AREA KNOWN AS RAILROAD SQUARE
WHEREAS, in 1983 the City Council adopted Resolution No. 5197 establishing the
"Master List of Historic Resources", along with procedures for adding properties to the listing;
and
WHEREAS, on July 6, 1982 the Architectural Review Commission found the retired
Southern Pacific Railroad Water Tower to be historically and architecturally significant, and
denied a request by Southern Pacific Transportation Company to demolish the structure; and
WHEREAS, the City of San Luis Obispo acquired the old Southern Pacific Railroad
water tower and a small underlying lot located at 1100 Iris Street, as shown on Exhibit A, from
Southern Pacific Transportation Company to preserve and stabilize the structure in its original
location; and
WHEREAS, on February 22, 1993 the Cultural Heritage Committee reviewed the
historical documentation on the water tower, Exhibit C, and nominated the Old Water Tower
for inclusion on the Master List of Historic Resources; and
WHEREAS, this City Council considered the nomination during a public hearing on
March 16, 1993 pursuant to historic preservation guidelines established by Council Resolution
No. 6157 (1987 Series); and
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of San Luis
Obispo that based on the Cultural Heritage Committee's recommendation, historical
documentation as described in Exhibits B and C,. the staff report, and on the City's Historical
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Council Resolution No. (1993 Series)
Page 2
Preservation Program Guidelines the following:
SECTION. 1. Addition to Master List of Historic Resources. The Old Southern Pacific
Railroad Water Tower is hereby added to the Master List of Historic Resources as a Type #4
property because it meets the following national register criteria:
A. It is associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad
patterns of the City's history.
B. It is of symbolic importance to the community, representing the significant role
played by the railroad in the growth and development of the City of San Luis
Obispo.
C. It is a unique and scenic landmark at a major city gateway, associated with a
period in the City's history when the San Luis Obispo railroad yard was the main
service facility for the steam locomotives travelling the coastal route between Los
Angeles and San Francisco.
SECTION 2. The Community Development Director is hereby directed to amend the Master
List of Historic Resources to include the Old Southern Pacific Railroad Water Tower.
On motion of , seconded by and on the
following roll call vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
the foregoing Resolution was passed and adopted this 16th day of March, 1993.
63-5
Council Resolution No. (1993 Series)
Page 3
Mayor Peg Pinard
ATTEST:
Diane Gladwell, City Clerk
APPROVED:
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4Johnn, ty AdrKnigrativeOfficer
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Community Develo m t Director
Attachments:
■ Exhibit A - Documentation of Historical Significance
■ Exhibit B - Historic Resources Inventory
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DOCUMENTATION OF HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE
The purpose of this evaluation sheet is to document the reasons why properties recommended
for inclusion on the San Luis Obispo Master List of Historical Resources are in fact historically
significant. Specific criteria for "national register consideration" should be identified for all
recommended type #4 properties.
Property Address: 1100 Iris Street (nearest street address to water tower).
Property Use: Former railroad water tower, no longer used for water storage.
Recommended Numeric Ranking: 4
ARCHITECTURAL FACTORS:
1. Style:
Is the structure an excellent example of a distinctive architectural style? (An excellent example
is a building where the stvle has not been altered by the introduction of conflicting architectural
elements.)
X Yes No The massive timber tower supports, tongue and groove box car roof-
ing, and metal tank typify turn of the century railroad construction.
Is the structure an example of an architectural style seldom seen in San Luis Obispo?
X Yes No Built in 1940, the water tower is only such structure in San Luis
Obisno and one of only four water towers remaining in their original
2. Design: location in California.
Does the structure have significant aesthetic appeal because of demonstrated craftsmanship, use
of detailing and execution of style?
X Yes No (see above)
Does the structure incorporate unique details or architectural features seldom seen in San Luis
Obispo?
x Yes No (see above)
Was the structure designed by a master architect such as Frank Lloyd Wright?
Yes X No (If yes, name person ).
x1r "r I1.49
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Page 2 — Documentation of Historical Significance
3. Significance of Building Designer
Was the structure designed by a person who made significant contributions tot he state or region
such as Julia Morgan"
Yes X No (If yes, name person )
Was the structure designed by an architect who, in terms of craftsmanship, made significant
contributions to San Luis Obispo?
_ Yes x No (If yes, name person )
Was the structure designed by a "pioneer" architect in the city or county?
_ Yes X No (If yes, name person )
4. Landmarks
Does the structure have a symbolic importance to the community or is it a notable community
or neighborhood landmark? (see attached Historic Resources Survey)
X Yes' No `
HISTORICAL FACTORS:
1. Residents or Tenants
Was the structure occupied by a significant community leader -- eg. mayor or congressman?
Yes X No (If yes, name person )
Was the structure occupied by a community or public servant who made early, unique or
outstanding contributions to important local affairs?
Yes X No (If yes, name person )
Was the structure occupied by a person with fame or outstanding recognition at the local,
regional, state or national level?
_ Yes x No (If yes, name person )
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Page 3 - Documentation of Historical Significance
Was the structure occupied by a person or persons (ea. families) that made important
contributions to the community?
Yes X No (If yes, name person(s) )
Was the structure use by a business or public agency that made significant contributions
to the historical development of the community?
X Yes No (If yes, identify business Southern Pacific Railroad•)
2. Historical Events
Was the structure or site involved in a landmark, famous, or first-of-its-kind event?
Yes X No (If yes, identify event )
Did the structure or site make unique or interesting contributions to the history of the city (ea..
the Chinese-American cultural activities)?
_ Yes X No
3. Historical Context
Was the-structure directly associated with early, first, or major patterns of local history (ea. the
County Museum)? Growth and development of San Luis Obispo centered around and/or
dependent on the expansion of the railroad in town.
X Yes No
Was the structure directly associated with secondary patterns of local history?
_ Yes X No
Does the structure occupy its original site?
X Yes No
Prepared By: Jeff Hook, Secretary to the Cultural Heritage Committee
Date: March 3, 1993
;t" ' 1 l-;-rJV 10
c- No.
-
state of California—The Resour• \, _SHL No. NR Status
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND t JN LHABS----MAER_Lc _ C A
HISTORIC RESOURCES INVENTORY
B D
IDENTIFICATION Rai W Tow
.
1common name:
1. nSouthern Pacific Lines Timber Tower for 65 000 al. Steel Water Tan
Historic
2.
3. Street or rural address:
1100 Iris Street
��, San Luis Obispo
Zip 93401 County San Luis Obisoo
4. Parcel number: 0 `13-57(–
Address: 990 Palm St.
5. Present Owner: Citv of San Luis Obisoo
San Luis Obispo Zip
403 Ownership is: Public ��_Private
City
r store a for steam locomotives
6. Present Use: used
Original use: Wate
Un
DESCRIPTIONwelded steel plate tank
7a. Architectural style: Timber on concrete foundation;
7b. Briefly describe the present physical appearance of the site or structure and describe any major alterations from its
original condition:
way from its original construction.
The old S.P. Water Tower stands in its original ocation adjacent to the railroad l
passenger station, it has not been modified in any Y
k of
The present cond
foundation iscin goodecondition although and lack of areccracksthe line
1950' s. The
the material that may penetrate to the reinforcing steel. The timber tower is in
good condition but has developed numerous cracks a5�drepairchecksinuone de olocation. The weathering
its construction in 194.0; there is evidence of p
tank has lost most of its roofing materials, although the main structural members
are present. Rust and pitting of the steel plate used in the tank is present
bris
ed mu
and
me woo
throughouta toe showsthelwaterdlevelsinside theetank,lislin placetank.
although the 1indica-
board, use
for plate (the sliding marker) has been lost. The site is undisturbed from its
crow nearby. An adjacent
original condition except for the growth of trees which have grown up into contact
with the structure. Several large and picturesque palms oo A triangular
railroad warehouse building also Ionone hundredute to the twentyt(120)sfeetnunderlying the
parcel, approximately sixty (00) by tower is owned by the City.
8• Construction date: Factual Estimated —
Nona br from_
g, Architect �--� uil—
;� stock plans of railroad
(tank) ; tower designed by SP
i•
10. Builder
11. Approx. property size lin feet)
Frontage 12D- Depth E�
or approx. acreage. •5
' 12, O ate(s) of enclosed photograph(-'
<� t Gctober 5 1988—
36
DPR 523 (Rev. 11/85)
13. Condition: Excellent _Goon' Fair_ Deteriorated No Ion, dstence
14, Alterations: None : -
15. Surroundings: (Check more than one if necessary) Open land _Scattered buildings X Densely built-up
Residential X Industrial X Commercial Other: Reci-den 1 on ac - na r of railr d station
16. Threats to site: None known_Private development_ Zoning Vandalism X
Public Worksproiea Other: Continued deterioration/weatherine
17. Is the strucure: On its original site? yes Moved? Unknown?
18. Related features: Railroad warehouse (outbuilding) and large palm trees; active station nearby
SIGNIFICANCE
19. Briefly state historical and/or architectural importance (include dates,events,and persons associated with the site.)
The old S.P. Railroad Water Tower in San Luis Obispo is only one of two or three remaining
in the historically significant former Coast Division, that extended from .San Jose to LOS
Angeles (now a part of the Sacramento Division) . It was one of the fixed objects that it
took to support the use of steam locomotives throughout the rail system. It was built in
late 1940 when ten (10) passenger trains a day traversed the coast route. It was built
near the station to expedite the process of filling the steam engines while at the same
time passengers were boarding. The tank was built from standard plans that the railroad
kept; this design was developed in 1904 and revised in 1945. The timber tower was designed
separately for intended use in Santa Barbara, however notes on the original plans say that
it was never built there. The tower plans show it was designed in 1939, revised in 1940
for San Luis Obispo. It remained in use until 1956. It was late: used to supply water to
Amtrak (passenger) trains for use in their steam radiators (space heating) . It was also
used to supplement on-site fire fighting capabilities. In its original location and un-
alterred appearance, and as part of. an active railroad station property, this tower/tank
is a strong visual backdrop. The entire setting appears as a historic vignette.
Locational sketch map (draw and label site and
surrounding streets, roads, and prominent landmarks):
20. Main theme of the historic resource: (If more than one is NORTH
checked,number in order of importance.)
Architecture 3 Arm& Leisure.
Economic/Industrial 1 Exploration/Settlement
Government Military
Religion Social/Educatian
21. Sources (List books,doGments,surveys,personal interviews ,
andtheirdates). Records of Southern Pacific;
Robert Vessely, RCE (1987) :"Railroad Water
Tower Rehabilitation Study",
I
22. Date form prepared November 1, 1988
By (name) Randv S. Rossi, Ph.D.
Organization Community Development Dent.
Address: Citv of San Luis Obispo, 990 Palm
City San Luis Obispo Zip 93403 J r
Phone: (805) 549-7172
37 . 7 "X141BIT -
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CCRIINUATICN Bluer FOR =M NO. 7 OF APPLI ATICN — PRCPERTY DESCRnTXN:
The appearance of the railroad water tower in 1988 is very much the same as it was when
completed in late 1940. It is located in its original position adjacent to the railroad
station property which still serves as San Luis Obispo's train depot. Changes from its
original appearance are primarily due to its age and lack of maintenance. The roof has
partially collapsed, some of the tower members are warped or cracked, the tank lacks
paint and the indicator plate is missing. The tank was originally proposed as a means of
saving time during train stops in San Luis Obispo. The steam locomotives in use on the
coast route at that time had to stop twice in San Luis Obispo -- once at the station for
passengers and again at the roundhouse a little farther down the tracks to take on
water. Installation of the 65,000 gallon steel storage tank near the station allowed the
trains to take on water at the same time as passenger loading. The tank remained in
service until 1956 when the last of the steam engines was decommissioned.
The City of San Luis Obispo, the current owner of the structure and site, commissioned an
engineering survey of the structure in 1987. Original construction documents were
obtained with the cooperation of Southern Pacific. From these drawings it is apparent
that the tank was built from a set of standard plans that Southern Pacific used from
which almost anything in their system could be built. However, the tower which supports
the tank was built from plans drawn originally for use in Santa Barbara but later used
here. Field measurements were taken during the survey to verify plan dimensions.
The tank is twenty-four (24) feet in diameter and twenty (20) feet high, constructed of
one-quarter (1/4) inch steel plates riveted together. The bottom of the tank is of the
same steel plate supported by six (6) inch steel joists spaced at eighteen (18) inches on
center. The joists rest on twelve (12) inch steel beams which run around the perimeter
of the tank forming an octagon with two beams across the center of the tank perpendicular
to the joists. The roof is a simple wood frame of two by six (2 x 6) inch lumber bolted
to the top rim of the tank. The roof covering is shown on the original plans to be
tongue and groove "car roofing". The standard plans for this tank show a twelve (12)
inch diameter spout attached to the side of the tank with an outlet and valve at the
base. Since this tank was located too far from the tracks for the trains to be watered
directly from an attached spout, the spout was left off and a sixteen (16) inch diameter
service pipe was run from the bottom of the tank to trackside. The indicator plate, a
horizontal marker that slid up and down the indicator board to show the water level
inside the tank, is missing today. However, the board is in its original position.
.There is no evidence that the name "San Luis Obispo" was ever painted on the tank.
The tower which supports the tank consists of twelve (12), ten by ten (10 x 10) inch
posts with four by eight (4 x 8) inch cross-braces. The tower has a concrete foundation
consisting of an eighteen (18) inch thick slab with a square concrete pier under each
post. The plans show the piers to be thirty (30) inches square at the base tapering to
twenty-four (24) inches square at about two feet above the slab; the actual construction
differs in that the piers do not taper. The tower members are attached to steel base
plates with three-quarter (3/4) inch bolts and the plates are attached to the concrete
piers by means of• anchor bolts. The plans show that all timbers were to be
"Burnettized". In Steel and Timber Structures (Hool and Kinne, 1924) this process is
described as a preservation treatment of lumber with zinc chloride injected under
pressure. Since this material is water soluble it probably has been entirely lost due to
rain over the years. The cross braces were noted to be connected to the posts by means
of bolts with "toothed ring connectors". Simplified Design of Roof Trusses (Parker,
1941) notes that these were even then an obsolete version of a split ring connector, now
commonly used in heavy timber construction to increase the capacity of a bolted
connection.
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CONTIMATILN FOR rM4 NO. 8 CF APPLICATIClcI — PRC88It'IY SIMICA M
In California's historically significant Coast Division railroad water towers were a
relatively short-lived, but essential part of the fixed "objects" that it took to support
the rolling stock of the rails. The power of these physical objects in recalling the
history of the rails is disproportionate to their actual numbers. Where they have
survived, railroad water towers provide a strong visual image uniquely associated with
railroads. Railroad water towers are part architecture, part equipment. In the
landscape their appearance is always a reminder or guidepost to the unseen hundreds of
miles of rails that lay on the land. Together with a few remaining old stations and
roundhouses, railroad water towers tell us about a mode of transportation, powered
virtually since its inception by steam engines that was dependent on reliable water
storage nearby.
The Coast Division was once the lifeline of the railroad system in California, built in
spite of numerous seemingly impassable topographic features, such as Cuesta Grade in San
Luis Obispo County. For many years segments of the coast rails existed as fragments
until labor gangs and the promise of profits forged the complete system. In the Coast
Division (which became the Western Division in 1964, and now is part of the Sacramento
Division) there are only two or three water towers/tanks remaining. Except in San Luis
Obispo, they have had inappropriate modifications or survive in neglect with no
restoration plans; the rest have been systematically demolished by the railroad for
safety or liability reasons.
The water tower was only a part of the raw material supply system for the steam
locomotives. Often unseen, off-site, was a railroad-operated water treatment plant where
the local water source was processed to remove suspended solids, minerals and salts prior
to use. Without such filtration and chemical treatment, there would have been an .
eventual build up and fouling of the boilers used in the locomotives.
This water tower shares a common history with many others, now gone. But it has a unique
history too. unlike most others which were torn down or moved following their
obsoleseace, this tower and tank went on to serve two other uses. It held water for the
space heating system (radiators) used in diesel passenger locomotives used until recently
in Amtrak passenger cars (now replaced with an all-electric system). The tank was also
used for supplemental fire protection at the San Luis Obispo station, connected to
on-site hydrants in addition to the municipal system.
The water tower in San Luis Obispo is centrally located in the state, promeniently
visible to the public as part of an active station, and well loved in the local community
and among railroad enthusiasts. It has the greatest, realizable potential for being
restored and conserved becuase:
1) City Ownershio - It is owned by the City of San Luis Obispo which rejected a
demolition request by the railroad in 1982;
2) Authentic Setting - It is a part of an active railroad property, adjacent to the
newly refurbished station in daily use;
3) Modest Cost - The costs of restoration are modest, and if undertaken now would
preclude further deterioration or structural failure;
4) Ready to Imolement - The city has completed a full engineering survey, prepared a C;3
restoration program and all plans necessary for impleme1BIT
22
CHC Minutes Pr6&.
Page 4
Mr. Gallagher clarified National Rea' er rankings compared with the City's thresholds of
historic significance. He needed th assistance of the historic building code to continue efforts
to upgrade and restore the house.
Wendy Waldron felt it was the committee's responsibility to help protect historic resources, and
made a motion to recommend to the City ncrl that house at 1105 George Street be added to
the Master List at a number 5 National Regis,te. rating — that is, not eligible for the National
Register but historically significant locally due to ' relationship to the railroad.
Mr. Krieger seconded the motion, explaining as a iasis for nomination that in the absence of
an historic district in this area, nomination recogn' ed that this is one of several homes in the
Terrace Hill neighborhood that represents the his Tical matrix of transportation development in
San Luis Obispo.
AYES: Waldron, Krieger, Pi d, Michael
NOES: Fourie, Wood
ABSENT: Lewis
The motion carries.
Discussion followed as to why copies of t Historic Building Code aren't available at the City's
public counter.
3. Nomination of the Old Southern Pacific Railroad Water Tower to the Master List of
Historic Resources; City of San Luis Obispo, property owner; C/OS zone.
Pam Ricci introduced the item, explainin-a that staff intended to apply for a grant to restore the
old water tower, and was asking the committee to consider nominating the tower to the Master
List of Historic Resources.
On a motion by Leo Pinard, seconded by Virginia Wood, the committee recommended that the
City Council add the Old Southern Pacific Railroad Water Tower to the Master List of Historic
Resources.
AYES: Pinard, Wood, Krieger, Fourie, Waldron, Michael
NOES: none
ABSENT: Lewis
The motion carried.
In- response to a question from Ms. Fourie, Mr. Krieger noted that there four similar structures
in the same coastline rail corridor in: Roseland, Oregon; Roseville, California; Pajaro,
California; and in Chualar, California.
�-3`S
SECTION E
TRANSPORTATION ENHANCEMENT ACTIVITIES
GUIDE TO PROJECT ELIGIBILITY
What makes a project eligible?
Requests for eligibility must meet the Guidelines and will be cleared by the Regional
Transportation Planning Agency or Caltrans'Transportation Facilities Enhancement Office on a
case-by-case basis before submittal to Federal Highway Administration.
Transportation enhancement activities most meet three basic criteria,based on instruction from
the Federal Highway Administration:
Enhancement activities are over and above normal projects. Typically,a normal project includes
mitigation,permits and landscaping required to complete a project and move it ahead. These will
not be eligible for Enhancement funding.
Routine,customary or required elements of transportation projects or those provided to mitigate
project impacts in compliance with existing environmental, historic preservation and public health
and safety regulations are not eligible for funding from the 10%set-aside for enhancements.
Projects must have a direct relationship to the intermodal transportation system, which consists
of all fortis of transportation in a unified,interconnected manner. This relationship may be.one of
function, proximity,or impact. For example,a bikeway is a m*unctiorial component of the_-. _
intermodal transportation system. Removal of outdoor advertising in the viewshed of a highway is
justified in fight of its proximity. Retrofitting an existing highway by creating a wetland to filter
runoff from the highway would qualify based on the impact of the highway in terms of water ...
pollution.
Projects must fit one or more of the ten activities categories.
The ten categories and typical activities are:
1. Provision of facilities for pedestrians and bicycles.
This category provides an opportunity to create linkages in the existing transportation system by
funding noir-motorized modes of travel. The bicycle and pedestrian modes connect people to
activity centers,such as businesses, schools,and shopping areas, and to other modes.
Projects accommodate bicyclists and pedestrians beyond or in addition to what is necessary for
safe accommodation. This includes activities that enhance the transportation system through
more aesthetic routing or design or improving existing facilities to make them more usable for
pedestrians and bicyclists. Purpose of the project must be primarily for transportation, rather than
for recreation.
Activities are not eligible where they are conducted as an incidental and routine part of new
transportation projects in order to accommodate routine use by pedestrians and bicycles. Paved
shoulder, wide curb lanes, sidewalks,and curb cuts are not eGgble if incidental and routine to
road construction or reconstruction, however bicycle lanes are eligible.
Projects to retrofit existing facilities solely for conformance to accessibility standards in the
California Building Code do not qualify.
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4. Landscaping and other scenic beautification.
This category includes landscape planning,design and construction activities which enhance the
aesthetic or ecological resources along transportation corridors,points of access, and lands =-
qualifying for other categories of transportation enhancement activities.
Architectural treatment, applied or integrated,of transportation strictures, including bridges and
highways beyond Caltrans' utilitarian design may be considered an enhancement activity, as long
as it is beyond mitigation required in an environmental document. The primary purpose must be
to enhance the scenic view.
Projects which enhance the aesthetic resources or beauty of the transportation system may
include planning,design and construction.of scenic vistas and overlooks, and restoration of
historic landscapes. Projects which enhance the ecological balance along a transportation
corridor include planning,testing and planting for restoration or reintroduction of native plant
communities and appropriate adaptive species,and the provision of interpretive information about
the federal and state agency programs through which ecological resources are preserved.
Projects on the National Highway System must be consistent with Caltrans'overall landscape - -
enhancement program and policies,and will be approved by the District Landscape Architect.
Projects may not be for routine, incidental or maintenance activities such as grass cutting,tree
pruning or removal, erosion control, screen planting, construction of noise barriers,drainage
improvement and.post-construction finish work such as replanting and reseeding.
EXAMPLE OF PROJECTS: 'Gateway'plantings to communities. Landscaping transplants to
move trees outside of clear zones and into more attractive, safer locations. Retrofitting existing
noise barriers with landscaping. Replacement of a utilitarian bridge with one of appropriate
architectural qualities in a setting which calls for more than a utilitarian design. Roadside =
Ecological Viewing Areas. Development of visually sensitive bridge rails,which meet Caltrans
and FHWA safety requirements.
S. Historic preservation.
Cultural properties listed in the California Register of Historical Resources are eligible for
Transportation Enhancement Activity funding. Section 5024.1 of the California Public Resources
Code defines the Cardomia Register as an authoritative guide in Califomia to be used by state
and local agencies, private groups,and citizens to identify the state's historical resources.'The
California Register includes properties determined eligible for or listed on the National Register of
Historic Places, California State Historical Landmarks, and State Points of Historical Interest ...
programs. In addition,the Cardomia Register includes locally designated historic and prehistoric
Asix=Ps as well as local survey inventories using the National Register standards.
All work must be done in compliance with the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and Guidelmes
for Archeoloav and Historic Preservation.or Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Historic
Preservation Projectsand must be managed under the direction of professionals meeting the
standards published in the Code of Federal Regulations, 36 CFR, Part 61. The qualifications
define minimum education and experience required to perform eligible historic preservation _
activities. In some cases,additional areas or levels of expertise may be needed depending on
the complexity of the task and the nature of the historic properties involved.
In some circumstances,the cultural and sacred values of a Native American or other ethnic
community site may require the inclusion of additional viewpoints. Proposals referring to such
sites must be accompanied by evidence that appropriate Native American and ethnic community
representatives have been consulted.
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This category includes acquisition,protection, rehabilitation, interpretation,restoration,and
stabilization or any combination of the foregoing,of any prehistoric or historic district, site,
building,structure, landscape or object(and artifacts'and records related to it) included in the
California Register,or eligible for inclusion in,the National Register of Historic Places.
Projects should enhance the transportation system by improving the ability of the public to
appreciate the historic significance of the project itself or the area to be served by the project
Activities may include,but are not limited to, rehabilitation of historic places,activities that
encourage or facWtate historic interpretation for the public of sites associated with roads and other
transportation facTities, heritage tourism, and that preserve or improve the appearance or quality
of a historic property, district,or landscape,and assist in providing research and educational
opportunities or related services on individual or related historical resources.
EXAMPLE OF PROJECTS: Interpretation of placer mining at Alpha Omega Rest Area on
Highway 20 and at Gold Run Rest Area on Highway 80. Restore historic landscape on a
highway-
6. Rehabilitation and operation of historic transportation
buildings, structures or facilities (including historic railroad
facilities and canals).
Historic transportation buildings are buildings or related structures associated with the operation,
passenger and freight use,construction or maintenance of any mode of transportation where
such building is listed in the Calrfomia Register or eligible for fisting in the National Register of
Historic Places.
Structures and facilities include tunnels,bridges,trestles, embankments,rails or other guideway,
nonoperational vehides,canal viaducts,tow paths and locks,stations and other built
transportation features integrally related to the operation,passenger and freight use,construction
or maintenance of any mode of transportation.
Rehabilitation means the process of returning the property to a state which makes possible a
contemporary use while preserving the significant historic features of that property.
Operation means the provision of access and service in a manner related to both the continuation
of a contemporary transportation or non-transportation use consistent with the historic character
of the property and open to the general public on a not-for-profit basis.
EXAMPLE OF PROJECTS: Transbay Terminal, Santa Fe Depot in San Diego, Union Station in
Los Angeles. Central Valley railroad depots,train stations on the Peninsula commute. Pasadena
freeway, Feather River Highway Route 70. Visitor center as part of historic bridge dam bridge
replacement project. Costs on historic bridges over and above normal mitigation.
7. Preservation of abandoned railway corridors (including the
conversion and use thereof for pedestrian or bicycle trails).
This category includes the acquisition, rehabilitation and development of corridors for public use
including bicycle or pedestrian use. In some cases it could allow preservation without capital
improvements, although emphasis is placed on current enhancement value. This category
permits the development and rehabilitation of privately-owned rail corridors open to the general
public without charge. A declaration of intent for future use is required.
EXAMPLE OF PROJECTS: Existing Sacramento Northern Railway Bicycle Trail. Biz Johnson
Trail on old Southern Pacific right of way in Susanville.
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