Thursday, January 12, 2012

Why not just level the entire city?

Here are some factoids for you---

For the first time in history the world is predominately urban.

Meaning, we all pretty much live cities!

Our urban centers became blighted post-1950s white flight to the suburbs.

These centers are now visible in the sights of investors and historic building and infrastructure is either being renovated or demolished.

Did you know that 78 percent of our land fills consist of building debris?

Did you know that my five-year-old knows the concept of recycling and practices it?

Voila! If a child understands that our resources deserve proper respect and treatment shouldn't our city leaders understand and practice the same for our built resources?

In an increasingly urban environment there are many pressures for redevelopment. How can we better educate our leadership and those who fund projects about preservation of our environment (both naturally occuring and man-made)?

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

What should preservation organizations do?

http://blog.preservationnation.org/2010/08/24/national-trust-mountainsplains-office-to-green-125-year-old-school/

Well, in Colorado the National Trust's Mountain/Plains Office is undertaking a $2.3million dollar rehab of a 125 year old school!

Note to the reader: the author believes that preservation organizations should be in the business of purchasing, rehabbing and actively programming their projects.

In the case of the Emerson, CO school... who else would have initiated such a progressive concept---rehabilitating a historic building for current use---besides a preservation group?

Monday, January 9, 2012

So what about historic districts?

http://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2011/09/clevelands-disappearing-warehouse-district-then-and-now/245080/

Check out the above link and then read this blog entry.

The visual reference shows the simultaneous failure and success of historic districts in Cleveland, Ohio.

Why does the use of historic districts struggle in Cleveland?

I suppose the better, and more constructive, question to ask would be, "how does it succeed?"

If we analyze the two images on the provided link again... we might see something a little more vibrant.

Obviously, a lot of buildings were lost, and their former sites became parking lots.

Okay, we've known this factor of living in mid-western USA, but what we can notice is the fact that this area is in use and active.

While many buildings were slain to accommodate the automobile's demands, this cluster of early 20th century buildings remain in use and attractive to both reuse and redevelopment of nearby land.

Cleveland may not remain as intact as southern port cities like Savannah, GA or Charleston, SC, but it has the gritty appeal of an industrial age that those cities will never have to offer.

Thursday, January 5, 2012

Considering Preservation

Okay, folks.

It is true that saving old buildings is something that I have been passionate about since I was young.
Well, since I am not over 30 one could argue that I am still young, but the point I am trying to make is that-- old is cool.

When it comes to saving old buildings I pause...

Three years ago, I would have defended every old building.
How many times can I use the word old in this blog?

A year ago, I realized that not everything should be saved.

Luckily, some things are protected, but I am okay that not everything old and awesome can be saved from the bulldozer.

Okay, so when it comes to saving these buildings there are really only two steps to considering if they are worth the effort: do they have a use? are there finances to fund the project and sustain it into the future?

If the answer is no to either you might as well go back to the drawing board and come up with a yes, or throw in the towel and accept that maybe its time to say adios to your beloved structure.

What does this mean for those interesting in saving old stuff?

Advocate for things that have yes answers.

All too often preservationists get hung up on saving the scraps. There are acres of plentifully ripe old buildings waiting for uses, funding and occupancy. Stop protesting and start proactively filling these spaces.

Sounds impossible to some, but it is really only the only way to convince the powers that be to save that old thing.

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Bringing in Common Sense to Preservation

I've often stated before that I may not be a historic preservationist. This statement stands true.