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Historic Preservation Office reports $6 million disaster grant; 10 Capitol Hill buildings completed
Summary
HPO officials told the House Ways and Means committee they are managing a $6 million disaster grant for historic-building rehabilitation, had completed 10 Capitol Hill Complex buildings and plan upcoming solicitations to finish remaining structures and off-site historic properties.
The Commonwealth’s Historic Preservation Office (HPO) reported progress on a $6 million disaster grant to rehabilitate historic buildings, telling the House Ways and Means committee the office has completed work on 10 Capitol Hill Complex structures and is preparing additional solicitations to finish the rest.
HPO manager Ramona Camacho said the $6 million award — secured about two years earlier for disaster restoration — has funded renovation of 10 Capitol Hill buildings at a cost of about $996,000 so far, with project management and related salaries totaling another roughly $148,000. She said the office issued requests for quotes and planned requests for proposals to complete the remaining Capitol Hill complex and several off-site historic structures, including the Congress of Micronesia building, a bunker and a museum facility.
Why it matters: The HPO’s work preserves sites on which other government operations and public heritage depend. Committee members raised staffing and permitting concerns for HPO as local development and U.S. military-related projects increase workload.
HPO said the grant work has been extended to 2027 because of steady progress and ongoing review by federal partners; officials told the committee they aim to complete projects by the end of fiscal 2026. Committee members asked about permits, staffing, and reimbursements collected from military-related major-siting activity; officials said permitting revenues flow through other agencies and that HPO’s role is regulatory and in consultation with federal partners.
HPO leaders also asked the committee to consider providing operational support to help manage heightened workload associated with the military buildup and local development.
