13 CAR § 28-301. Planning the project

(a)(1) An applicant for any Historic Preservation Restoration Grant must first determine the scope of the project to be funded. (2) Historic preservation is an expensive endeavor, and most projects require careful prioritization. (b) Five (5) tips for developing a good project are: (1)(A) Understand your project. (B) Before you begin this project, you must determine the appropriate treatment. (C) There are three (3) approaches to the treatment of historic properties - preservation, restoration, and rehabilitation: (i)(a) Preservation focuses on: (1) The maintenance and repair of existing historic materials; and (2) Retention of a property's form as it has evolved over time. (b) Protection and stabilization have now been consolidated under this treatment; (ii) Restoration depicts a property at a particular period of time in its history, while removing evidence of other periods; and (iii) Rehabilitation acknowledges the need to alter or add to a historic property to meet continuing or changing uses while retaining the property's historic character. (D)(i) These treatments are defined by the National Park Service. (ii) You may learn more by: (a) Visiting https://www.nps.gov/orgs/1739/index.htm; or (b) Contacting the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program Technical Services Coordinator; (2)(A) Ask an expert. (B)(i) An architect can be invaluable in helping you to determine your needs and planning your project. (ii) In addition to giving an estimate of the project cost, an architect can also provide information on structural priorities and efficient scheduling. (C) Also, feel free to contact the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program if you have questions regarding project funding priorities or guidelines for the appropriate treatment; (3)(A) Phase it out. (B) Funds for Historic Preservation Restoration Grants are often limited, and few applicants receive the total amount requested in their application. (C) By dividing the project into phases, you provide a way for funding to be used effectively even if you don’t get everything you requested. (D) You can apply for more funding in the next grant cycle. (4)(A) Know your limitations. (B) Administering a grant project requires time and attention to detail. (C) Please do not commit yourself or your organization to a project if you are unwilling to invest the necessary resources to complete it. (D) In the same vein, do not commit yourself to a cash match unless you can be sure it will be in place when you sign the grant agreement; and (5)(A) Paint a picture. (B) Writing a grant application requires that you provide enough detail for the reviewer to objectively consider your proposal. (C) The reviewer may not be able to visit the property in person, so your description and photographs will be the only presentation they will have. (D) However, note that a lengthy description may detract from your proposal, so please strive to be detailed yet concise. (E)(i) Photographs are essential. (ii) They should be clear and depict the serious deterioration or proposed restoration and rehabilitation areas.