Proactive Preservation May 17–19, 2018 • East Lansing, Michigan
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The Michigan Historic Preservation Network presents the Thirty-Eighth Annual Statewide Preservation Conference at the East Lansing Hannah Community Center Proactive Preservation May 17–19, 2018 • East Lansing, Michigan introduction istoric preservationists are skilled advocates for the work we do although few of us would think of ourselves that way. Our efforts generally attract little attention. We work quietly alone or in a Hvariety of partnerships focused on a goal. Patience is a hallmark. Think, for example, of the volunteers surveying maze of financial packaging. Elsewhere, effective the architectural resources in their town. Up and OpEd pieces go into local papers, challenges to down the streets they go taking photos every state enabling legislation are thwarted, founda- Saturday; the library research takes months. tions make grants to game-changing projects, The volunteers talk with their neighbors about and blogs speak to the unlimited possibilities of recognizing and protecting what’s special about historic properties. Preservationists masterfully their community. The best way to do that is with use the facts to convince, persuade, influence, a local protective ordinance they explain. These and win over. With tact, they coax people and are not easy conversations because property projects along. When energies are flagging, they owners can be wary, but their methodical work inspire and encourage. And it goes without leads to passage of an ordinance and designation saying that they applaud, encourage, praise, and of the first local historic district. cheer on! Or we think of the development team that Our conference this year recognizes just how wants to save an abandoned historic building. much proactive preservationists have gotten They seem to be the only ones, however, who done in Michigan to maintain their traditional see its potential for adaptive reuse. Seeking downtowns and neighborhoods, understand and financing, the team finds lenders who are skep- protect their pre-historic and historic archaeo- tical that a worn out building can be reclaimed. logical resources, safeguard architectural treasures The resulting loan-to-value ratio is low so the of the recent past, revitalize their Legacy Cities, developers employ their best negotiating skills to counter development pressures on shoreline secure layers of grants, private equity, municipal and agricultural communities, and more. We’ll loans, and tax credits. The project is a success. ask the question: Can we recognize that we do indeed possess finely-tuned advocacy skills that Is this kind of everyday advocacy effective? Yes, can be harnessed to overcome bigger challeng- just look around. Over 70 governmental units es, take on daunting projects, and bring people in Michigan have passed protective ordinances along with us on our mission to safeguard what’s because surveys are completed, property owner special about Michigan? questions are answered, and public hearing presentations are compelling. For the historic We’ll use East Lansing—as well as Lansing and buildings that few see as ripe for development, surrounding communities—to come up with the developers negotiate their way through the answers together. Join us! Denise McGeen Nancy Finegood front cover and this page: Janet Kreger, Photographer. mhpn president mhpn executive director For full brochure photo credits, please see page 37. introduction ABOUT OUR HOST COMMUNITY 2018 KEYNOTE SPEAKER Renee Kuhlman Welcome to the City of East Lansing director of policy outreach, government relations & policy, national trust for historic preservation, washington, dc FRIDAY, MAY 18, 2018, 12:45–2 PM FREE & OPEN TO THE PUBLIC EAST LANSING HANNAH COMMUNITY CENTER, ALBERT A. WHITE PERFORMING ARTS THEATER Continuing Education See map on page 23 for location and free adjacent parking AICP: CM 1.25; AIA: 1.25 HSW ast Lansing’s first houses, known as surveyed in 986-87. Council adopted the first factors the successful campaigns share and how Faculty Row, were built on the Historic Preservation Code in 989 when it also Advocacy: these advocacy lessons can be replicated. college campus in the 80’s, and appointed the first Historic District Commission. The Heart of Preservation Over the past five years, advocates led by thereafter the city’s history and Six geographical districts and two thematic Advocacy is at the heart of what we do as the National Trust had been requesting that Egrowth paralleled that of Michigan State districts comprising individual properties were preservationists. Whether it’s legislative or local Congress retain the federal Historic Tax Credit University. In those days, the village served the recognized. Currently, over 800 properties are advocacy, being proactive is important. Renee during tax reform. Renee shares the exciting needs of teacher and student. An early village protected by the ordinance. On the MSU cam- Kuhlman shares insights into this critical skill story of how “grassroots” advocacy retained the planner was the college’s world famous botanist, pus nearby, preservation often results from a kind that we need to successfully revitalize the older credit in the final tax bill when others were William James Beal, who, with mathematician of stewardship consonant with fiscal frugality and parts of our neighborhoods and towns. reduced or eliminated before it was signed into Rolla C. Carpenter, laid out an area just north agriculture’s traditional loathing of waste. Many law in December of 207. of campus as a residential tract. historic campus buildings remain in use, their As a veteran of many advocacy campaigns, historic character retained. Renee shares the sometimes hilarious and We are fortunate to have Renee Kuhlman The rush to expansion boomed in the new sometimes heartbreaking lessons learned. as our 208 Keynote Speaker as Michigan century and, in 907, “Collegeville” and adjacent Preservationists recognize that their activities Early in her career, she directed the Historic preservationists advocate for reinstatement of neighborhoods were chartered as East Lansing. need to keep pace with other community initia- our own Michigan Historic Preservation Tax Many of the historic homes in the city today tives if they are to play a role in promoting East Fredericksburg Foundation in Virginia which successfully managed to get a big box retail Credit. Be inspired to speak loudly and clearly reflect the architectural styles of the first quarter Lansing’s economic health and quality of life. The for Michigan’s historic resources. of the century. The East Lansing Businessman’s HDC wants to resurvey original districts, know- store to change its plans to build next to George Washington’s boyhood home. Renee describes Association, many of whose members were fac- ing that buildings once deemed non-contribut- MORE ABOUT OUR 2018 SPEAKER… ulty at the college, was instrumental in the town’s ing may warrant protection 2 years later. These how a small nonprofit beat back a Goliath-like national corporation. Renee does more than campaign for state- expansion. This early association has become same districts have a stunning array of mature and federal-level Historic Tax Credits! She has today’s East Lansing Merchants Group that con- trees and features like alleyways and parks, none In 200, as Director of State and Local Policy championed dedicated funding for maintaining tinues its commitment to the city. of which were surveyed in the 980s. There also at the National Trust, Renee directed an historic resources in our national parks. She is are striking examples of Mid-Century Modern advocacy pilot program. The Michigan Historic East Lansing is now more than eight times larger the author of the policy brief “Helping Johnny buildings, newly restored buildings, and addition- Preservation Network was one of five statewide than at its founding. Its population of rough- Walk to School” and—appropriate to our 208 al districts that need to be safeguarded. preservation programs selected to participate. ly 0,000 has evolved to include business and conference being headquartered at the adaptive- Renee reflects on the lessons learned through professional women and men, families of all None of this work happens by itself. It takes ly reused 926 East Lansing High School—man- the pilot and shares what the MHPN and the configurations and ethnic backgrounds, interna- citizen involvement and civic leadership with aged a three-year grant program in collaboration other four organizations have accomplished in tional residents, government and elected officials, finely-honed advocacy skills to move things with the Environmental Protection Agency to the intervening years. and MSU faculty and students. Its preservation forward. East Lansing’s history of preservation promote appropriate school siting and the reuse movement began with residents who recognized efforts, its current activities, and its plans for Currently, Renee helps advocates at the state level of historic schools. And for the National Trust, the architectural richness of their community the future parallel those of other communities to put in place, expand, or protect state Historic Renee has written articles, blogs, and briefs on and whose work culminated with City Council around the state. Let’s explore our options to- Tax Credits. In 99, only eight states offered policy issues. Renee earned an M.S. Degree in appointing a -member Historic District Study gether. Join us in East Lansing! such credits; today, there are thirty-five. Every Historic Preservation from the University of Committee in 986. Over ,000 structures were year, Renee participates in a dozen advocacy Vermont in 992 and a B.A. Degree in History —Your 2018 Conference Planning Group efforts across the country. Hear what common from the College of William and Mary in 987. welcome to city of east lansing keynote speaker CONFERENCE FRIDAY, MAY 18, 2018 OUR VENUES 12:45–2 PM FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC HIGHLIGHTS ALBERT A. WHITE PERFORMING ARTS THEATER, EAST LANSING HANNAH COMMUNITY CENTER Please note where each of the following special activities takes OUR CONFERENCE HEADQUARTERS place. See map on page 23 for locations and parking.