Texas Historical Commission Architect discusses designations

By Ben Woods
bwoods@casscountynow.com

Alex Toprac, a project design assistant with the Texas Historical Commission of Architecture, spoke March 2 at the Historic Cass County Courthouse about different historical designations for buildings and properties related to the Main Street Program. 
“I hope to quell some fears that are misconceptions about preservation and the government reaching into private property interest rights, because there has been some mystification of what preservation is over time, and I want you to all understand what type of incentives are available to you all through a national registered district, for example,” said Toprac. 
Toprac said there are three levels of historical designation: national, state and local. The national register is the highest level and was made to protect historical properties from federal overreach, such as the demolition of historical Penn Station in New York City. 
“The regulation started not to tell private residents how to take care of your own properties, but to protect from condemnation -- and other sources of federal overtaking -- to demolitions,” said Toprac. 
He also spoke about state historical markers, which come in two different varieties. Some are just educational and others are subject markers. 
Then there are recorded Texas historical landmarks, officially designated landmarks. State Antiquities Landmark is the highest designation -- those are generally public buildings such as the historical Cass County Courthouse, the only one in Cass County. 
“We do not tell the building owners what they can and cannot do with their historical designated property, but if the building becomes unrecognizable due to modifications it can lose its designation as a historical property,” said Toprac.
Toprac also spoke about historical tax credits that would be available to property owners if they were to become designated, and some economic tools that would be available.