Model Change-Over: A New Era for Historic Preservation in Michigan
May 10-12, 2012 |
Michigan Historic Preservation Network
32nd Annual Statewide Preservation Conference
May 10-12, 2012, in Flint, Michigan
A model change-over, for those of us who have lived in the automobile capitol of the world for a time, is a time of expectation. It happens every Fall. And at the North American International Auto Show in January, it might be the hood on your favorite car that has gotten longer or maybe its chassis is lower. Perhaps a new color is introduced or the electronics are completely re-engineered.
When the concept of model change-over is applied to historic preservation, however, and is introduced at a time of economic uncertainty and a drastic change in our state’s political direction, it is anything but benign. In the work we do – in which an impossibly delicate balance is maintained between saving irreplaceable historic buildings and using their preservation as a sturdy tool of economic revitalization – ill-designed adjustments under the hood cause more harm than good.
So it’s a good thing that we make our way to Flint for the 32nd annual
statewide preservation conference.
Plenty of Michigan communities are suffering their share of economic blows. This is no more true than in Flint. As the state forges a future in which it tries to reclaim its fiscal health, leadership is employing methods that hardly favor historic preservation – right-sizing, and the elimination of tax credits that once incentivized reusing the most deteriorated and fragile historic urban buildings, frustrate revitalization efforts daily.
But Michigan communities, no matter what their size, share opportunities unexplored until faced with crisis. Everyone is open to greater collaboration for increased funding, for example, often among partners that have never been involved in preservation before. Design professionals are more firmly connecting preservation with the Green Movement and LEED rating systems as a means to show their clients that old buildings can be top-notch energy savers.
And all of us are experiencing the excitement of discovering an entirely new generation of historic buildings – the Mid-Century Moderns that are bringing Michigan to international attention, and that we can spare from the cycle of public disinterest and loss before we wake up to their importance.
The Flint conference will include four tracks.
-Track One focuses on the conference theme, exploring the idea of model change-over in the preservation behaviors of Michigan communities.
-Track Two looks at the laws, policies,designations, and incentives you need to protect historic resources when they are threatened.
-Track Three studies hands-on techniques that make preservation possible no matter what the challenges.
-Track Four presents tours of the host community that will inspire you (including a remarkable collection of Michigan's Mid-Century Modern buildings, landscapes and churches!
Also included are your invitations to the community open house and
vendors’ showcase, Saturday sessions for historic district commissioners, and
presentation of the MHPN’s annual preservation awards.
AIA and AICP Continuing Education Credits are available fro most sessions.
Cultural Landscapes featured in both educational sessions and tours!
Please visit the MHPN website for the conference brochure beginning in February 2012.
Bring your best thinking to Flint in 2012! We need to work together…
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Website:
mhpn.org/annualconference.html |
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| Location Information |
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Masonic Temple |
755 S. Saginaw Street
Flint, MI 48502 |
| Website:
masonicelegance.com/contact/ |
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| Contact Information |
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Nancy Finegood |
| Email:
admin@mhpn.org |
| Phone:
517-371-8080 |
| Fax:
517-371-9090 |
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