The Preservation Month Photo Contest – stay tuned for finalists and online voting!
Update 5/17: We’ve received some great entries and we’ll open voting soon. You can choose your favorite!
Preservation Month is just around the corner and we can’t think of a better way to celebrate the spirit of revitalization and preservation in a (hopefully) soon-to-be post-Covid Ohio than to bring back our photo contest. The contest is open and we’re ready to receive entries.
Just complete the form below to submit your entry (one entry per person, please) and put these dates on your calendar:
Entries accepted: April 26-May 14
Finalists announced: May 21
Online voting: May 21-28
Winner announced: May 31
Good luck! You can enter your image below.
Need some inspiration? Check out our 2019 winner Harrison Wicks’ entry below of the historic former Erie Depot in downtown Kent.
The Paul Bruhn Grant Program
You can learn all about the grant, its requirements, application forms, and additional info here.
Sponsor a Heritage Ohio Annual Award!
For one week only we’re opening up sponsorship for our Annual Awards! Although our Annual Awards Ceremony typically happens during our Annual Conference, this year we’ve had to move our Annual Awards online. However, we have a great celebration planned! Beginning this month, we’ll highlight one of our award winners each day, providing our audience bite-sized peeks at this year’s best in revitalization and preservation. You can download the Annual Awards sponsorship form here.
If you want to sponsor one of our awards, you have to act now. We’ll only have sponsorship open for one week.
A Rehab Story: The Hartong Farmstead Webinar
Wednesday, September 23 – 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm
The Hartong Farmstead in Green has a storied history, and an exciting new chapter in its life that we’re eager to share. Join Sarah Haring, community development administrator for the City of Green, Rachel Bellis, who has recently moved into the farmstead and is turning the parcel back into a working farm, and Tracy Emrick of Cuyahoga Valley Countryside, an organization that has adopted an innovative approach to preserving historic buildings and structures in park settings, for a discussion about the property, its history, the “save,” and its future. Join us for the first in our webinar series: A Rehab Story.
And the Pitch Party winner is…
Congratulations to Susie Bibler and Main Street Delaware who are the winners of our 2nd Annual Pitch Party! And while Main Street Delaware walks away with the $1,000 Pitch Party prize, none of our three pitchers will go home empty-handed, as they will each receive the votes (dollars) that were directed to them.
We hope to have our Pitch Party back next year, hopefully in person with you in Springfield. Thanks to our pitchers and to everyone who voted!
Thursday Happy Hour: Preservation Hackathon
Our final Happy Hour starts with a simple question: if given a real-life preservation problem, what would you do? We have a tongue-in-cheek title for Thursday’s Happy Hour as we delve into case studies that discuss common preservation issues and how they were solved.
We’re sharing these “story problems” with you ahead of time to give you the opportunity to familiarize yourself with the issues and think a bit about potential solutions, so you’re ready to share your answers when the Happy Hour begins. Maybe you’ve even come up with your own Preservation Hack you can share!
And, we’d be remiss to miss out on a special thank you! to our Happy Hour sponsor Plante Moran.
Question #1, courtesy of Kyle Sword of Pilkington NA:
Background: A developer wants to upgrade an existing historic building that is National Register-listed, using tax credit incentives. The building space, a former architect’s office, will be redone to accommodate a variety of uses. One special feature of the building is its bronze windows dating from 1926, glazed with 1/4″ plate glass. The windows currently aren’t especially energy efficient, and there are condensation issues, but hardly any corrosion.
Question: Should/can the developer replace the windows? If the windows are maintained, what can be done to improve energy efficiency and increase the comfort level? How would different options compare, and how would costs compare?
Question #2, courtesy of Erin Claussen of Toledo Revival:
Background: The local Board of Zoning Appeals has granted approval to allow off-premises rooftop signage for a building project. The revenue that will be generated from the signage is a critical piece of funding that will help pay for the building’s redevelopment.
While advertising has become viewed as a nuisance condition, in large part stemming from how much signage used to be everywhere in downtowns, there seems to be a resurgence around retro-style advertising, with more and more people perceiving unique signage as a sign of vibrancy.
Question: Is there such a thing as “creative signage” that truly fits in the downtown (and especially in local design review districts)? Where might we find the equilibrium between stories-high, characterless panels, and a very strict and regimented approach to new signage that might match historic color palettes but does not exactly add to the vibrancy of a district? What role should the potential revenue the signage could generate, play in the discussion about what should be approved and what shouldn’t be approved?
Question #3, courtesy of Danielle Steinhauser of CT Consultants:
Background: While the foundation of the Main Street Approach is built on the concept of preservation of the historic buildings located downtown, district stakeholders are also keenly aware of the importance of conveying vibrancy. Vibrancy is displayed through any number of activities, objects, and people, and might include the display of public art, helping to reinforce the idea that old attitudes of defeatism and apathy have been ousted, and downtown is now seen as fun, welcoming, successful, and unique.
Question: Is it “good preservation” to add a mural to the side of a previously unpainted brick building? The mural would not cover the entire elevation, but a portion of it.
Are there basic rules to keep in mind when debating the merits of economic revitalization and pure preservation, understanding that each case might have its own unique circumstances?
So there you have it: 3 questions to stoke your thinking-process about downtown revitalization and historic preservation. We look forward to hearing your take on these subjects at our Thursday Happy Hour.
The Pitch Party is back this Wednesday: Here’s what you need to know
If you attended last year’s conference, hopefully you joined us for our Keynote and Pitch Party, which closed the conference. If you enjoyed the Pitch Party, I have good news for you: thanks to the generosity of Happy Hour sponsor Ulmer, a law firm based in Cleveland, the Pitch Party is back for a second year. It happens during our Wednesday, 9/2 Happy Hour, beginning at 5pm. Find out more about what the Pitch Party is, and how you could enter for a chance to win (at least) $1,000 for your organization.
So, you want the chance to pitch to win? Anyone attending our Wednesday Happy Hour who represents a nonprofit organization can sign up to participate. Starting shortly after 5pm, we’ll drop the contest link in the chat box, and you can sign up using that link. Make sure you enter as soon as you can: the sign up link will only be active for about 15 minutes.
Then, we’ll draw 3 names at random, and the 3 names chosen will each get 3 minutes to pitch our Happy Hour attendees about their organization, what it does, and why they deserve the $1,000 grand prize.
Do you hope to be a pitcher? If so, think about your key points to share with attendees creatively in just 3 minutes. Then, if you’re chosen, you’ll have the opportunity to sell your good work, your need, and how our conference attendees can join your efforts to move your organization forward.
How will the winner be chosen? Beginning at 6 pm on Wednesday, we’ll open a special donation page on our website for 23 hours, through 5 pm on Thursday, September 3. You will have the opportunity to donate to one, two, or all three of the organizations highlighted during the Happy Hour. One dollar donated to the organization=one vote. The organization receiving the most votes (dollars) will receive the cash prize of $1,000, in addition to every dollar raised for that organization during the 23 hours.
We’ll announce the winner at the beginning of Thursday’s final conference Happy Hour.
Although the winner will receive the $1,000 cash prize, none of the 3 organizations will go home empty-handed, as the 2nd and 3rd place finishers will also get to keep every dollar raised for their respective organizations through the 23-hour voting period.
Good luck to all the prospective pitchers! We look forward to hearing from you on Wednesday.
Frank’s 8 delicious Happy Hour Ohio beers: Week 2
Did you enjoy this week’s list? Boy, I know I sure did! But we’re just getting warmed up. We have another week of Happy Hours, and four more opportunities to sample some of the tastiest brews Ohio has to offer. Join me for one or all during the second week of our virtual conference.
Monday Happy Hour: Siren Shores, Great Lakes Brewing Co, Saison
One of Great Lakes “Legendary Series” beers, this brew features (I kid you not) pink peppercorns and passion fruit. Are we getting dangerously close to Devin’s exotic cocktail territory with ingredients such as pink peppercorns and passion fruit? Perhaps, but this is a saison, and brewers have wide latitude with what you add to a saison.
Apparently, saisons have traditionally been “kitchen sink” types of beer…you add what you have available to complete the flavor profile, even if what you have is pink peppercorns and passion fruit. It works (taste-wise), trust me!
Tuesday Happy Hour: Hefe & Wedge, Wolf’s Ridge Brewing, Hefeweizen
Sure, the classic hefeweizen might be the poster child for the Reinheitsgebot, but this Wolf’s Ridge Beer is breaking all the rules, adding orange zest to up the flavor profile. We won’t call the Beer Police on you, though; you’re to delicious to be locked up.
Wednesday Happy Hour: Fruit Hoops, Platform Beer Co, Sour Ale
Sour ales are the wild horses of the beer world, in my opinion, because traditionally, you never quite knew what you’d be getting in the way of yeast and bacteria. Thankfully, these happy accidents were usually quite delicious.
Thursday Happy Hour: Gose Face Killah, Streetside Brewery, Gose
Whether you’re a fan of Wu-Tang, or the film Mystery of Chessboxing, this is the beer for you. It’s a Gose, so again we’re a bit on the sour side, and Goses sometimes add salt and coriander to give you more exotica for your beer. Here’s to the Heritage Ohio Annual Conference…cheers!
Heritage Ohio Conference updates
Stay tuned as we offer up to the minute updates:
8/24, 3:16 Zoom is once again up and running. We’ll see you all on Zoom beginning at 5pm for our Legacy Circle Reception.
8/24, 12:32 We’re once again using gotowebinar for our 2pm conference session. You can access the sign-up here: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/995308021437959436
8/24, 12:17 Look for a gotowebinar link posted here soon to join us for our 2pm session.
8/24, 11:28 As Zoom continues to work on restoring their network, we’ll have an announcement soon regarding access to our afternoon session.
8/24, 10:01 We’re live on gotowebinar, join us at the link below. Zoom, you’re dead to us (at least until you get back online).
8/24, 9:37 We have a gotowebinar link for our 10am conference kickoff. You can access the sign-up here: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1862037644448342541.
8/24, 9:30 Zoom has crashed and we’re working through gotowebinar to set up alternate streaming arrangements. We’ll share more information as we receive it.
Frank’s 8 delicious Happy Hour Ohio beers: Week 1
Are you looking forward to Devin’s cocktail of the day? Boy, I know I sure am! Each day for our Happy Hour, Devin will unveil an exotic new drink that you can mix and drink along with Mr. Miles.
But then I got to thinking…what is there for the Joe Schmos of the conference? What about us hard-working blue-collar Bob & Betty Buckeyes of the pres & revit movement? If you’re like me, you’re just not into those hoity-toity drinks. So, rather than be left out, I’ve endeavored to find 8 different Ohio beers, a unique one for each day, that us conference-goers who aren’t into the frou-frou drinks can still enjoy. I’ve posted my Week 1 list for Monday-Thursday below, and I’d like to invite you to join me for a delicious Ohio beer. We’ll toast virtually to the vibrancy of downtown revitalization and historic preservation in Ohio, and celebrate Heritage Ohio’s foray into virtual conferences with a cold, frosty one.
Monday Happy Hour: Ziegler, Madtree Brewing, Lager (Oktoberfest)
Just like the stores that feel compelled to stock their Christmas items during the dog days of summer, we’re starting off with a delicious seasonal beer…it’s just the wrong season. No matter, though. It’s in stock and it’s delicious. Note: if you can’t source a Madtree Oktoberfest, we do consider Great Lakes Oktoberfest an acceptable substitute.
Tuesday Happy Hour: Sun-Kissed Wheat, Homestead Beer Co, Ale
We come to our senses on Tuesday with a summer themed wheat ale. It is, after all, still summer.
Wednesday Happy Hour: The Building Doctor IS In and my recommendation for maximum Happy Hour enjoyment is to join me as we partake in a Swizzle from Rhinegeist. What is a Swizzle, you ask? Just a wonderful melange of cider, lemongrass, and ginger wrapped up in a handsome aluminum can. While it’s technically not a beer, it’s MY “beer” list, and I’m bringing it to Happy Hour. Besides, we can still proudly Prost! (as the German Cincinnatians like to say) with this delicious Ohio cider.
Thursday Happy Hour: The Scots know how to do a lot of things well, including the fellows from Brewdog who whip up this delicious IPA, Elvis Juice. We’ll get lost in its piney, hoppy, citrusy loveliness while the preservation pros dispense their best advice to a new generation of up-and-comers.
Check back Friday 8/28 for my Week 2 of delicious Ohio beers.
Round 24 of Ohio Historic Preservation Tax Credits announced
We were rewarded for our patience! ODSA has announced recipients from Round 24 of the Ohio Historic Preservation Tax Credits. You can read more about the full list here.
It’s not too late to join us as a conference sponsor!
Have you heard? Heritage Ohio’s conference is online this year. Happening August 24-September 4, we’re bringing you an all-star preservation & revitalization lineup, and you can join us virtually. Registration rates are obscenely cheap to attend, but we still have conference costs, which means the support of our sponsors and vendors is even more important this year. If you’re interested in joining us, check out our SPONSOR INFORMATION here, and our SPONSOR/VENDOR CHOICES here. Contact Frank Quinn, fquinn@heritageohio.org, with sponsorship questions.