The development of accessibility standards and preservation guidelines for historic buildings: effects of accessibility standards on the preservation of historic courthouses in Texas, 1968-1998

Abstract

This study examines the interaction of handicapped accessibility and historic preservation standards applied to historic courthouses in Texas. The provisions in accessibility laws and standards for the use of alternative treatments for qualified historic buildings are examined, with particular emphasis on the variance process required to gain approval to use such alternative standards. With more than 222 late 19th and early 20th century courthouses currently in use in Texas, there is ample opportunity for creative solutions to the design challenge of making these historic buildings accessible to persons with disabilities. The effectiveness of the variance process to protect the intrinsic value of historic properties from damage or destruction caused by alterations undertaken to provide accessibility is evaluated through an assessment of the success rate of requests for variance which are based on historic preservation. This assessment is made through a review of project files for historic courthouses. The goal of this research is to clarify the variance process, with the hope that this information will be useful for effectively planning alteration projects to historic buildings while maintaining the their historic integrity.