Section 400.610  Historic Preservation, Scope – Minimum Requirements

Historic preservation, including historic reconstruction and historic restoration, is the alterations category applied to historic buildings or historically interpreted buildings.  Every qualified historic building (as defined in Section 400.210), facility, or site open to the public shall also provide access to environmentally limited persons as required in this Section to afford them the maximum opportunity to experience their cultural heritage consistent with maintaining the historic aspects of the building or site.

a)         General

1)         Alterations to a qualified historic building or facility shall comply with the applicable requirements of this Code, unless it is determined pursuant to subsection (a)(2), below, that such compliance would threaten or destroy the historic significance of the building or facility in which case the alternative requirements for historic buildings, Section 400.620, may be used.

2)         Where alterations are undertaken to a historic building or facility, if the entity undertaking the alterations believes that compliance with the requirements for accessible routes (exterior and interior), ramps, entrances, or toilets would threaten or destroy the historic significance of the building or facility and that the alternative requirements in Section 400.620 should be used for the element or space being altered, the entity should consult with the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency.  If the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency agrees that compliance with the requirements for accessible routes (exterior and interior), ramps, entrances, or toilets would threaten or destroy the historic significance of the building or facility, the alternative requirements in Section 400.620 may be used.  The determination that an alteration would threaten or destroy the historic significance of the building or facility shall be based upon the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation and Guidelines for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings. Alterations not recommended by the Standards shall be considered to threaten or destroy the historic significance of the building or facility.  In that case, the alternative requirements as defined in Section 400.620 for alterations to historic buildings may be used.

b)         Scope

1)         All Historic Buildings – Alteration Costs 15% or Less.

            Where the cost of alterations to any historic building, facility or site is 15% or less of the reproduction cost of the public facility the element or space being altered must comply with this Code if the conditions of subsection (a)(2) of this Section are met.  Alternative requirements for historic buildings, Section 400.620, may be substituted for the requirements of Section 400.310.

2)         Historically Interpreted Buildings – Alteration Costs 15% or More.  If "historically interpreted buildings" as defined in Section 400.210, which are owned by either a governmental unit or are privately owned, undergo alterations which cost more than 15% of the reproduction cost of the public facility, the following minimum requirements shall be met:

A)        An accessible route complying with Section 400.310(a) and (b) shall be provided to one principal level with displays open to the public. Exception:  Where providing an accessible route would threaten or destroy the historic significance of the building or facility, fully accessible permanent interpretive exhibits which are of equivalent educational and interpretative scope as the non-accessible historic parts of the building or facility shall be provided as near to the non-accessible part of the building or facility as possible.

B)        An audible and visual information source shall be provided adjacent to the main entrance to the historic building or facility to give directions and information to persons with disabilities.

C)        Displays and written information shall be located and designed so that they may be seen by seated persons.  Exhibits and signage displayed horizontally (e.g., open books) should be no higher than 44 in. (1120 mm) above the floor surface. (ADAAG 4.1.7(e))

D)        At least one accessible toilet room for each sex complying with Section 400.310(n) if toilets are required in the facility or one unisex toilet room, if permitted by the Illinois Plumbing Code, shall be provided as near the site as possible but at least within 200 feet from the main entrance of the building or facility.

E)         At least one accessible drinking fountain complying with Section 400.310(l), if drinking fountains are required in the facility, shall be provided as near the site as possible but at least within 200 feet from the main entrance of the building or facility.

F)         Accessible parking spaces complying with Section 400.310(c), where parking is provided.

G)        An accessible route from the accessible parking spaces, if provided, to an accessible entrance.

H)        Alternative requirements for historic buildings, Section 400.620, may be substituted for the requirements of Section 400.310.

3)         Other Historic Buildings – Alteration Costs 15% or More.  If historic buildings other than "historically interpreted buildings" as defined in Section 400.210, which are owned by either a governmental unit or are privately owned, undergo alterations which cost more than 15% of the reproduction cost of the public facility, the following must comply with this Code:

A)        The element or space being altered.

B)        An entrance and a means of egress intended for use by the general public.

C)        Horizontal and vertical accessible routes between an entrance or means of egress and the parts being altered.

D)        At least one accessible toilet room for each sex complying with Section 400.310(n) if toilets are required in the facility or one unisex toilet room, if permitted by the Illinois Plumbing Code.

E)         Accessible parking spaces complying with Section 400.310(c), where parking is provided.

F)         An accessible route from the accessible parking spaces, if provided, to an accessible entrance.

G)        Alternative requirements as defined in Section 400.620 may be substituted for the requirements of Section 400.310 where deemed necessary by the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency.

4)         Specific Provisions.  The following provisions shall also apply to alterations to historic buildings:

A)        Full extension of stair handrails shall not be required in alterations where such extensions would be hazardous or impossible due to plan configuration.

B)        If safety door edge is provided in existing automatic elevators, then the automatic door protective and reopening devices as required in Section 400.310(g)(6) may be omitted.

C)        Where existing shaft or structural elements prohibit strict compliance with the minimum dimensions of the elevator cars as required in Section 400.310(g)(9), then the minimum floor area dimensions may be reduced to no less than 48 in. by 48 in. (1220 mm by 1220 mm).

D)        In alterations to historic buildings where it is technically infeasible to disperse seating throughout an assembly area, the seating may be located in collected areas.  Seating shall adjoin an accessible route which also serves as a means of emergency egress.

c)         Calculation of Reproduction Cost

            For the purpose of calculating percentages of reproduction cost, the cost of alterations shall be construed as the total actual combined cost of all alterations made within any period of 30 months.