§ 6–1101. Declaration and purposes.

(a) It is hereby declared as a matter of public policy that the protection, enhancement, and perpetuation of properties of historical, cultural, and esthetic merit are in the interests of the health, prosperity, and welfare of the people of the District of Columbia. Therefore, this subchapter is intended to:

(1) Effect and accomplish the protection, enhancement, and perpetuation of improvements and landscape features of landmarks and districts which represent distinctive elements of the city’s cultural, social, economic, political, and architectural history;

(2) Safeguard the city’s historic, aesthetic and cultural heritage, as embodied and reflected in such landmarks and districts;

(3) Foster civic pride in the accomplishments of the past;

(4) Protect and enhance the city’s attraction to visitors and the support and stimulus to the economy thereby provided; and

(5) Promote the use of landmarks and historic districts for the education, pleasure, and welfare of the people of the District of Columbia.

(b) It is further declared that the purposes of this subchapter are:

(1) With respect to properties in historic districts:

(A) To retain and enhance those properties which contribute to the character of the historic district and to encourage their adaptation for current use;

(B) To assure that alterations of existing structures are compatible with the character of the historic district; and

(C) To assure that new construction and subdivision of lots in an historic district are compatible with the character of the historic district;

(2) With respect to historic landmarks:

(A) To retain and enhance historic landmarks in the District of Columbia and to encourage their adaptation for current use; and

(B) To encourage the restoration of historic landmarks[; and]

(3) With respect to archaeological sites designated as historic landmarks or contributing properties within historic districts:

(A) To protect historic and prehistoric archaeological sites from irreparable loss or destruction; and

(B) To encourage the retrieval of archaeological information and artifacts when the destruction of an archaeological site is necessary in the public interest.