Historic Structures Report Underway

Brookside has received a grant from the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) to have a Historic Structures Report created for the house.

A Request for Proposals has been issued to hire the consultant to create the report.

Request for Proposals.pdf

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Questions from consultant candidates included:

Question: Does this RFP supersede the RFP issued 12/29/24?

Answer: This RFP supersedes the one issued on 12/29/24.  Because of my inexperience the former RFP was not appropriate for an HSR. 

Question: The RFP states both that the “contract awarded shall expire on October 31, 2025” ( top line, p. [4]) and that “Project Completions – No more than 12 months after contract start date.” This would mean approximately 3/10/26. Which statement is accurate?

Answer: The project completion would contractually be no later than 3/10/26.

Question: The RFP asks for an SOI-qualified historian or architectural historian and then asks for analysis “noting damage, materials deterioration, etc.” Is there the expectation that a subcontractor more familiar with materials (e.g., an architect or engineer) will be hired to do this part of the work? And prepare the maintenance requirements?

Answer: An architectural level analysis is not expected as part of this HSR.  We are hoping for an analysis that gives a professional opinion of notable issues of damage and deterioration based on your level of expertise only. It is our hope that the completed HSR will steer the restorations that we make with funding we may have available through LOCIP.

Question: Do you intend the terms premiere, vital/important, contributing, non-contributing to be used as they are in the state of California’s HSR Format guidance (https://ohp.parks.ca.gov/pages/1069/files/historic%20structure%20report%20format.pdf) following the definitions outlined in documents like the historical assessment of 9 Murray Lane, Larkspur, CA (https://www.ci.larkspur.ca.us/DocumentCenter/View/13808/Historic-Assessment-Report_Filed_20210823)?

Answer: Our intention with the terms “premiere,” “vital/important,” etc. are as per your expert opinion.

Question: Prioritization of spaces is difficult without knowing the plan for the site’s use or interpretation.  For example, a kitchen space might be significant if the goal was to focus on the processing of foodstuffs while it would be far less important if the future programming was going to focus on the pattern book sources for trim in the more public parts of the house.  Will guidance be provided so that there is a context for prioritizing spaces?

Answer: The current interpretation of the house is confusing. It is our hope that the HSR will provide some expert advice about how to interpret the site moving forward.  A dramatic reinterpretation is on the table.  Our hope is that the HSR will provide guidance.

Question: How comprehensive are the known existing drawings? (It is understood that drawings may be uncovered during the research.)  New drawings are not mentioned.  Is there an expectation that new drawings will be created for this report?

Answer: The existing drawings are not extensive, but architectural renderings were made during restoration in the late 1970’s.  There is not an expectation that architectural drawings will be created.

We trust that the consultant we choose is the expert in creating a Historic Structures Report, and don’t intend to provide guidance or make requests that will make it challenging to do your job the way you know best.