Rural Businesses: Best Practices for Preservation and Design

Crankshaw, Ned; Department of Landscape Architecture, College of Agriculture, University of Kentucky

From Preservation Kentucky News, August 2011: "Since the Rural Heritage Development Initiative (RHDI) began in 2006, it was quickly clear that design recommendations were needed to help strengthen rural commercial centers; to maintain the character of the rural landscapes; and preserve existing buildings that make the region distinctive. To achieve this goal, Preservation Kentucky partnered with Ned Crankshaw, professor with the University of Kentucky’s Department of Landscape Architecture and his students as well as students from UK’s Historic Preservation Graduate Program. This working group looked at rural planning and zoning as well as architectural standards for the smallest communities--- often nestled at a “cross roads.” From this evaluation, a set of Rural Design Guidelines was developed." This document addresses design concerns for rural businesses. From the document's introduction: "Three kinds of rural businesses are common in the agricultural landscape of central Kentucky. Very small towns, both incorporated and unincorporated, contain small clusters of business buildings that are similar to the commercial buildings found in larger county seat towns. Groceries and general stores are located at widely-spaced intervals along highways and smaller rural roads -often as the center of a small settlement. Newer gas station-convenience market combinations are found on the higher traffic highways in the region and have largely replaced the function of the older rural groceries, The two traditional business building types - the clustered buildings in settlements and the rural groceries - each have a distinctive design pattern that contributes to the character and image of rural landscapes. The newer convenience stores create a design challenge because most are largely unrelated in architectural character to older buildings in their localities. In addition, the scale of their sites is much larger, more open, and visible across longer distances than older business types. Larger clusters of commercial buildings are discussed in the Rural Commercial Centers Best Practices. This document is focused on more widely scattered rural stores." Funding for this project was provided in part through a 2010 Preserve America grant to the Kentucky State Historic Preservation Office (grant number 21-10-AP-5040) administered by the State, Tribal, and Local Plans and Grants Division, National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior. Preserve America is a federal initiative that encourages and supports community efforts to preserve and enjoy our priceless cultural and natural heritage. The goals of the program include a greater shared knowledge about the nation's past, strengthened regional identities and local pride, increased local participation in preserving the country's cultural and natural heritage assets, and support for the economic vitality of our communities.

Rural Businesses: Best Practices for Preservation and Design

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