DESIGN SERVICES

Available to active Illinois Street communities, all Design Services are free of charge and are provided by the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency, in cooperation with Illinois Main Street. They fall into two categories: Building Services and Community Services. Building Services are available to business owners in any commercial property within the identified downtown boundaries of an Illinois Main Street community. They involve a one-on-one approach where the designer provides assistance for a specific building. Community Services are planning, preservation, and design presentations and workshops organized by the Program Manager and attended by a group of interested people in an Illinois Main Street community. All Design Services will meet the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation for historic and potentially historic properties.

BUILDING SERVICES

 DESIGN PROJECTS, which include:

• Site Visit: Conducted by the designer, program manager, and owner.
• Schematic Design: Color drawing proposing changes to the structure's facade.
• Sign Design: Color drawing of signage and graphics suggestions.
• General Recommendations: An item-by-item description of all proposed changes.
• Technical Information: Preservation Briefs, product information, paint chips, etc.
• Schematic Cost Estimate: Provides the owner with an idea of potential expenses.
• Project Follow-Up: The designer can answer questions by phone during the bidding and construction phases. The designer will not provide construction management or inspections, but will answer questions about products, design changes, and proper preservation techniques.
• Estimated Market Value: $1,500 based on 25 hours at $60 per hour (incl. expenses).

 TECHNICAL ASSESSMENTS, which include:

• Site Visit: An on-site consultation with the Manager and owner where the designer will answer questions, identify maintenance issues, and suggest design options.
• Assessment Report: A report of maintenance and code issues as well as possible solutions. Questions raised at the site visit will be answered in the report.
• Technical Information: Preservation Briefs, product information, repair procedures, etc.
• Disaster Evaluation: In the event of a fire or other catastrophe, a Main Street architect will visit the site to determine the extent of damage and whether demolition is required.
• Estimated Market Value: $600 based on 10 hours at $60 per hour (incl. expenses).

 REQUESTING BUILDING SERVICES
Obtain a Design Assistance Request Form from your Program Manager. Return the form to the Manager, and a designer will contact the Manager to schedule a site visit.

COMMUNITY SERVICES

DESIGN TRAINING
Design Presentations and Workshop are open to the public and are available to every Main Street community to promote the importance of design quality and the preservation ethic to downtown revitalization and business improvement.

• Basic Design Training Presentation: Stresses the importance of good design, preservation, building maintenance, basic improvements, and financial incentives. Every new Main Street community must receive this presentation before it can submit Design Assistance Request Forms or schedule Advanced Design Training. Any community can request this presentation at any point for further education.
• Advanced Design Training Workshop: Designer and attendees walk through the downtown discussing specific successes and potential areas of improvement and the examine case studies to arrive at appropriate design solutions. Owners are encouraged to bring their unique concerns and problems to discuss and solve.
• Estimated Market Value: $500 per presentation, $750 per workshop(incl. expenses).

COMMITTEE TRAINING
Periodic meetings with Design Committees can be scheduled to review plans, discuss current and future projects, and provide a forum for answering questions. These serve to direct, clarify, and resolve issues that effect a community's design orientation. They also bring designer up to date on the status of local projects. Designers can also assist in the development and review of a community's Design Guidelines.

 REQUESTING COMMUNITY SERVICES
The Program Manager schedules presentations and workshops. If you feel that your community would benefit from the information Design Training offers, contact your Manager to request a presentation or workshop.