Last updated 6/02/09

 Section 106 Process:  Site-specific EA for new VAMC

Because of the large scope of the current project, VA chose a phased (or tiered) approach to comply with their Section 106 responsibilities, as outlined in 36CFR800.4(b)(2).   In the first phase, VA selected a site for the VAMC replacement, and identified all above-ground historic properties located in each alternative site.  During that phase, a Programmatic Agreement (PA) was executed, delineating the Section 106 compliance issues that would be a part of the second phase of effort, the site specific investigations.  This second phase, as outlined in the PA, is divided into two separate issues:

 

1.      the treatment measures that would be required for each alternative to mitigate adverse effects of

         the Undertaking on each alternative; and

 

2.      the method of identification and evaluation of archaeological historic properties that would be

         used on the selected site once it was accessible.

 

Those two efforts are ongoing today, and will continue throughout the site-specific phase of compliance.

VA Treatment Measures:

 

· Identify a Community Point of Contact to act as a POC to the Consulting Parties

 

· CPOC will be provided, by email, to the Consulting Parties within 30 days of execution of the PA

 

· Owner of site shall ensure that reasonable security measures to provide adequate site security are accomplished

 

· Continue to secure & ventilate former VAMC addressed at 1601 Perdido Street

 

· Retain & rehabilitate the Pan-American Life Insurance Building

 

· If feasible, retain & rehabilitate the Dixie Brewery.  If not feasible, identify and integrate significant features into the new design

 

· Prior to any repair or renovation efforts at Pan-Am or Dixie, VA will document exterior elevations interior, and significant or iconic architectural features

 

· Prepare site-specific Environmental Assessment

 

· Receive comments from interested Consulting Parties until 31 December 2008 concerning methods to incorporate and/or integrate into the design historic properties on the periphery of the site

 

· Consider comments from Consulting Parties received during period and a range of facility development solutions to improve compatibility with the Mid-City National Register Historic District

 

· Convene 2 design review sessions

 

· Receive comments from Consulting Parties about designs

 

· Respond to substantive comments from Consulting Parties

 

· Support SHPO by reimbursing up to $600,000 for the moving of 1-story buildings of exceptional architectural importance from current location to sites with the Mid-City NRHD

 

· Continue to secure & ventilate Pan-Am Building and Dixie Brewery after acquisition

 

· Establish a Vibration Monitoring Program in consultation with SHPO and the City

 

· Submit Vibration Monitoring Program to SHPO

 

· Phase demolition and construction to avoid concentrated indirect adverse effects to surrounding neighborhoods to the extent possible

 

· Support SHPO in its effort to develop and implement a program to promote the preservation and rehabilitation of contributing elements with the Mid-City NRHD by remitting to SHPO up to $700,000

 

· Document historic buildings of VAMC prior to sale or transfer

 

· Document Sewerage & Water Board Pumping Station No. 15

 

· Document all historic properties within the project footprint that will not be retained

 

· Post all recordation materials and data to the Consulting Parties Website

 

· Ensure architectural salvage from historic properties proposed for demolition

 

· Design and implement a Public Interpretation Program related to the Mid-City NRHD and the VAMC

 

· Post Public Interpretation Plan to the Consulting Parties Website

 

· Research the probable location of NRHD listed and eligible archeological sites

 

· Conduct background research and sensitivity modeling

 

· Conduct Disturbance Study

 

· Conduct field investigations

 

· Develop mitigation measures for adverse effects to NRHD-eligible archeological sites

 

This website may not view properly with the use of Internet Explorer Version 8.

R. Christopher Goodwin and Associates, Inc.

Attn: Section 106 Consultant

309 Jefferson Highway, Suite A

New Orleans, LA 70121