Contributions of Historic Preservation to QUALITY of LIFE of FLORIDIANS

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Contributions of Historic Preservation to QUALITY of LIFE of FLORIDIANS Contributions of Historic Preservation TO QUALITY OF LIFE OF FLORIDIANS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Center for Governmental Responsibility, University of Florida Levin College of Law • Department of Urban and Regional Planning, UF College of Design, Construction and Planning • Center for Tourism Research and Development, UF College of Health and Human Performance Department of Museum Studies, UF College of Fine Arts • Florida Trust for Historic Preservation In the preamble to the National Historic Preservation Act Congress found that the preservation of America’s heritage “is in the public interest so that its vital legacy of cultural, educational, aesthetic, inspirational, economic and energy benefits will be maintained and enriched for future generations of Americans.” In other words, in 1966, Congress was convinced that the American public’s “quality of life” would improve as an indigenous part of the preser- vation of its historic towns and neighborhoods. Four decades later, National Trust for Historic Preservation President Richard Moe opened the annual conference with remarks that re-confirmed that organization’s concern for “quality of life” and how preservation, if properly integrated, can better our communities. Recently, Donovan Rypkema, one of the nation’s foremost preservation planners made the observation about newly revitalized historic areas that not long ago were nearly dead: “I do not know of a single sustained success story in downtown revitalization anywhere in the US where restoration (preservation) was not a key component of the effort. That doesn’t mean it isn’t theoretically possible to have downtown revitalization but no restoration, but I don’t know about it, I haven’t read about it, I haven’t seen it.” Indeed, the well-being and potential for the recycling of older communities is an increasing concern in states such as Florida in all aspects of urban and regional planning. For some time, preservationists have suspected that there is a real connection with a tangible and elusive community spirit that rises from a sense of place often associated with unique neighborhoods, whether they qualify for the National Register of Historic Places, or not. It just so happens that recognized neighborhoods have one up on those that do not have that identity. By understanding how this connection works, we can see the means to maintain the cultural and historical qualities that contribute to Florida's older neighborhoods while also meeting the needs of quality living and housing. As this study shows, quality of life is now being measured from all angles; its quantifiable qualities can in large part include standard of living, economic and housing opportunities, as well as access to goods and services. Quality of life can also encompass freedom, happiness, creativity and artistic impression, environment, and health; qualities that are far harder to measure. Although in the past historic preservation has too often been seen as a separate and prior activity that prepares the way for the improvement of neighborhoods, we know now that revitalization requires that historic sites be given a role in the life of the community. The point is not to place the community’s historic assets under lock and key, but to integrate them safely and evenly into the fabric of everyday life. Local residents can benefit through outdoor markets, handicrafts, houses, cuisine, businesses, civic and religious centers, and interpretive components such as learning and recreational activities that complement an historic site’s didactic offerings and convey a special meaning between its past, present and future. The more the community is involved, the more successful and inviting the area will become for everyone. Because of this overlap in the relationship between better quality of life and historic preservation, when properly integrated into planning, this very much needed report exploring these conditions will help in developing an integrated approach to planning for historic and other uniquely special communities in Florida. It is a worthy com- panion to the previously published “Economic Impacts of Historic Preservation in Florida”. Roy Eugene Graham, FAIA, Fellow US/ICOMOS Beinecke-Reeves Distinguished Professor Director, College Preservation Programs, School of Architecture, College of Design, Construction and Planning University of Florida SEPTEMBER 2006 Contributions of Historic Preservation TO QUALITY OF LIFE OF FLORIDIANS CHAPTER 1 PAGE 4 Introduction & Overview CHAPTER 2 PAGE 10 Quality of Life Indicators CHAPTER 3 PAGE 14 Preservation Laws & Policies CHAPTER 4 PAGE 20 Heritage Tourism CHAPTER 5 PAGE 24 History Museums CHAPTER 6 PAGE 28 Historic and Affordable Housing CHAPTER 7 PAGE 34 Acknowledgements Authors/Editors: Responsibility, of the Graduate Program in Timothy McLendon University of Florida Museum Studies, Staff Attorney, Levin College of Law University of Florida Center for Governmental Rhonda Phillips, Ph.D., AICP Lori Pennington-Gray, Ph.D. Responsibility, CEcD, Director Center Center for Tourism University of Florida for Building Better Research and Development Levin College of Law Communities Associate College of Health and Professor, Urban and Human Performance, Kristin Larsen, Ph.D. Regional Planning University of Florida AICP, Assistant Professor Department College of Department of Urban and Design, Construction and John Confer, Ph.D. Regional Planning, Photos: COVER (clockwise from top left) Mission San Luis, Tallahassee, Planning, University of Florida Center for Tourism University of Florida Research and Development winner of the 2006 “Preserve America” Presidential Award for Heritage Tourism, presented at the White House; Miami Beach Art Deco District: Glenn Willumson, Ph.D. College of Health and JoAnn Klein Lake Mirror Wall, Lakeland; and Mount Dora’s Historic District. TABLE OF Human Performance, Development Director, Associate Professor of CONTENTS: Cà d’Zan, Ringling Estate, Sarasota. BACK COVER: Ybor City. University of Florida Center for Governmental Art History Director 4 St. Augustine 1 Introduction & Overview The State of Florida’s heritage, whether in Historical Commission and the Division of Historical Resources in archeological resources, historic structures, sites, and the Florida Department of State. This report, a collaboration of districts, spans the entire era of human settlement: four different colleges of the University of Florida and a non- • Indian Mounds intangible characteristics of Florida’s profit organization specializing in • 18th century Spanish colonial historic places. historic preservation, is a follow-up • Cracker structures of the 19th Florida’s elected officials have to a 2002 report on the “Economic century directly addressed the significance of Impacts of Historic Preservation in • Bungalows and chert houses of the historic preservation to the quality of Florida”, with the same sponsors early 20th century life in the State of Florida, finding that: and some of the same research team • The distinctive modern style of the “The rich and unique heritage of members. The two studies differ in Sarasota School of Architecture historic properties in that the economic • Roadside structures and sites such this state, represent- impacts study was as the early theme parks ing more than 10,000 derived from a quan- • 1950s ranch houses that are just years of human titative review of now becoming eligible for listing presence, is an impor- available data related on the National, and many local, tant legacy to be to historic preserva- registers. valued and conserved tion. That study The heritage of our past and the for present and offered a statewide productive and respectful use of future generations. analysis of historic such historic places in the present The destruction of preservation activity strengthen the quality of life for the these nonrenewable in Florida. It exam- future of our state. Identifying what historical resources ined direct and multi- is distinctive and shared about this will engender a signif- plier effects from heritage is essential to understand- icant loss to the investment in historic ing how historic preservation con- state's quality of life, preservation through- tributes to the quality of life in economy, and cultural out the state in such Florida. environment.” (FLA. STAT. § 267.01(1)(A)) activities as historic rehabilitation of What is the relationship between This report, “Contributions of all types of properties, heritage historic preservation and quality of Historic Preservation to the Quality tourism, Main Street investment, life? Historic preservation con- of Life of Floridians”, represents the grants programs, tax credits and tributes to economic and cultural first statewide study of how historic museum operations. values in the State of Florida. Those preservation fits into the overall The quality of life study, con- cultural values are reflected in the quality of life in Florida. The report tained in this Executive Summary, quality of life found in the state’s includes models and tools available while reviewing many of the same communities from small towns to to further historic preservation in programs available in Florida in the large urban areas. Florida and to measure the impact field of historic preservation, pres- Quality of life is a vague term of historical structures, events, and ents a qualitative analysis. Explicit with multiple meanings. As used in related activities on the enhance- measuring that results in a definitive this paper, it relates to the
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