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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 4, 2008
Contact: Molly Dannenmaier, 409-765-7834
Director of Marketing and Public Relations
molly.dannenmaier@galvestonhistory.org
Galveston Historical Foundation Extends Windstorm Exemption Program to all Galveston County with Support from National Trust for Historic Preservation
Galveston Historical Foundation (GHF) announces that it has extended its review of historic buildings for the Windstorm Exemption Program (WEA-1) to all of Galveston County. Since the Windstorm Exemption’s inception in 1997 by order of the Texas State Legislature, local review has only been available to Galveston Island residents. GHF has been the provider of that review for hundreds of buildings on the island. Now, as a part of the Partners in the Field grant recently obtained by GHF from the National Trust for Historic Preservation, there are funds to open up the program to the rest of the county.
To be eligible for the Windstorm Exemption Program, a building needs to meet a few key criteria. The structure needs to be one of the following:
- Listed on or determined eligible for the National Register of Historic Places, or
- Be a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark, or
- Be deemed as having special historic or architectural significance by a designated authority, more than 50 years old, and subject to city or county requirements relative to its construction or alteration in order to keep its historical designation.
In the event of a storm, having a Windstorm Exemption allows property owners to repair wind-damaged windows, shutters, doors, and other character-defining elements with in-kind items (comparable to original lost historic fabric) rather than replacement items that must meet current code requirements. The exemption also helps property owners when working with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) after a storm. If a building is over 50 percent damaged in a storm, FEMA may restrict a homeowner from rebuilding it. Similarly, FEMA can require buildings severely damaged in a flood to be raised to meet current flood plain requirements. A Windstorm Exemption can help building owners to be exempt from such rules.
Having a separate approved WEA-1 form for each historic building on a property is important to maintain historic character. This is especially true for owners of properties inside local historic districts. The absence of a WEA-1 form for a building could delay recovery and rebuilding efforts once a storm has passed.
The Windstorm Exemption Program has been around for the past decade, but few coastal communities take advantage of its provisions. GHF is expanding this program through its partnership with the National Trust for Historic Preservation in hopes that it will be used as a model for other coastal communities. Over the next three years, GHF will use this National Trust grant to increase education on lead-based paint safety, structural stability and energy efficiency of historic buildings. The foundation will also work with the community to design post-storm housing that can blend well in the existing neighborhoods.
The program is locally administered by Galveston Historical Foundation and all applications are sent by GHF to the Texas Historical Commission for final approval. The application process is a free service of Galveston Historical Foundation and typically takes three to four weeks from the time an application is submitted until it is returned to the property owner. It is important for homeowners to ask their insurance companies if they honor Windstorm Exemptions that have been approved by the Texas Historical Commission. Each insurance provider chooses whether they will or will not honor Windstorm Exemptions, but it is every homeowner’s right to choose an insurance agent.
Refer to the GHF website at www.galvestonhistory.org to download the Windstorm Exemption application in English or Spanish or visit GHF Headquarters at 502 20th Street, Galveston, or the GHF Architectural Salvage Warehouse (Wednesdays and Saturdays) to obtain a copy.
For further information, call Matthew Farragher at GHF at (409) 765-7834.
GHF Windstorm Exemption Program
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