Annual Preservation & Revitalization Conference

Heritage Ohio 2010 Conference
Athens, Ohio
June 15-17, 2010

“Cultivating Community Tending to Tradition”

Heritage Ohio is pleased to host our annual conference in Athens, Ohio. The theme for 2010 is “Cultivating Community Tending to Tradition”. This theme represents our deep commitment to Ohio communities by building the local economy on the valuable assets of people and places.The educational sessions, tours and events are focused on understanding your local resources and many unique examples from the Athens area will be highlighted.

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2010 Award Winners

Preservation Hero Award. the late Dr. Richard W. Stroede, Defiance Ohio
Dr. Stroede spearheaded the conversion of the First Baptist Church (c. 1894) into an Arts and Media Center in partnership with the Defiance local public access cable station.

Spirit of Main Street Award, Ron Burbick Kent Ohio
Burbick built the new Phoenix Project/Acorn Alley in downtown Kent, which brought a dozen new businesses-not to mention more pedestrian-friendly outdoor eating and gathering areas to Kent. He oversees every aspect of the revitalization project and mentors the entrepreneurs who make their homes in downtown Kent by offering them advice on everything from logo design to merchandise.

Main Street Manager of the Year, Mary Anne Crampton,
Lakewood Alive

Ms. Crampton was involved in the citizen-based Lakewood Alive since its inception. Under her leadership, LakewoodAlive received national accreditation by the National Main Street Center in February, 2009 and again in March, 2010. Some of Mary Anne’s accomplishments include:
Recruiting new volunteers; organizing many new events; working to create new design guidelines and a new wayfinding and signage system; flower boxes; graffiti removal and litter control.
More than $6 million was reinvested in the downtown district in 2009 more than 50 new full-time jobs.

Best Commercial Rehabilitation Project, Capitol Theatre Renovation
Detroit Shoreway Community Development Organization

In the 1920s, when the Gordon Square Arcade was built in Cleveland’s Detroit Shoreway neighborhood, it was referred to as the “Times Square of Cleveland.” Combining classical Adamesque details with bold medieval stenciling, the Arcade was a gorgeous hub for those interested in shopping at the public market, staying at the hotel, or watching a movie at the Capitol Theatre.

In the years since, the Gordon Square Arcade and Capitol Theatre have suffered through periods of economic decline along with the rest of Cleveland. In 1979, the cornice of the Arcade crashed to the ground-a dramatic indicator that the area was in need of repair. The Detroit Shoreway Community Development Organization purchased the Arcade that year to prevent it from being destroyed.

In recent years, DSCDO has worked to renovate the storefronts and upper floors of the Arcade building, along with three other structures nearby. Two years ago, DSCDO assembled the funds to begin renovating the Capitol Theatre. These restorations are part of the Gordon Square Arts District project, which is a $30 million project leveraging over half a billion dollars in economic development. The Capitol Theatre renovation is a prime example of how the arts can be used to spur economic development, and we are excited to see this project move forward.

Best Residential Rehabilitation Project, Tremont Place Lofts
UGP Properties LLC ,Myrl and Stavros Roberts

The historic Union Gospel Press Complex is the National Register of Historic Places and is a City of Cleveland landmark. The oldest part of the complex of buildings dates to 1851. In the century and a half since, the complex has served many purposes, mainly as a religious printing press and home of the deaconess. In 2003, brothers Myrl and Stavros Roberts bought the complex, pledging to rehabilitate the buildings. The Tremont Place Lofts contain 103 residential units and a restaurant space. It is credited for jump-starting the revitalization of Tremont, a diverse and vibrant inner-city neighborhood in Cleveland.

Best Top Opportunity Success Story, Marley’s Downtown Restaurant
recipient Ted Shroyer and Julie Huddleston

For more than sixty years, the Wapakoneta Elks Lodge served as one of the primary social meeting destinations in Wapakoneta. In spite of being listed on the National Register of Historic Places, in 2008 the lodge was put in a difficult situation. The National Elks Lodge had put it up for sale and some proposed that the lodge should be torn down to make way for a parking lot.

Heritage Ohio named the Wapakoneta Elks Lodge on of its Top Opportunities for Preservation in July, 2008. This recognition caught the eye of Ted Shroyer, a regional restaurant owner who expressed interest in aquiring and redeveloping the property. In the fall of 2008, with the help of the Downtown Wapakoneta Parternship, Mr. Shroyer purchased the property and began plans to build Marley’s Downtown.

Marley’s Downtown is a full-service, upscale restaurant that overlooks the courthouse and several historic churches and is scheduled to open this month. We are so happy that a Top Opportunity has seen so much success.

Civic Benefit Award Lakewood City Schools
Award accepted by Rick Berdine Lakewood City Schools and Paula Reed of Lakewood Alive

Located in Cleveland’s first-ring suburb of Lakewood, Ohio, these “twin” schools were originally built in 1921 by architect Charles H. Hopkinson. In the renovation process both Emerson and Horace Mann schools, both originally junior high schools, were converted to elementary schools at a cost of $36 million. The source of funding was bond proceeds as approved by Lakewood taxpayers.

The projects were completed in 2008 and today services 375 and 396 students in grades k-5 respectively.

The two facilities have served the communities for nearly 100 years and remain icons of their respective neighborhoods. The original architects drawing were found at the Cleveland Public Library Archive. Historic photographs from the Lakewood Historical Society were also used to verify the original construction of the building.

Best Public Rehabilitation Improvement, sponsored by E.G.&G. Inc
Award #1 will be accepted by Diana Ferguson (CAPA)
Award #2 will be accepted by Charissa Durst, Hardlines Design Company
The rehabilitation of the Lincoln Theatre is an excellent example of government, non-profit and private business working together to preserve an integral piece of the community. The Lincoln Theatre was built in 1928 and was the hub of an African-American entertainment and cultural center. The neighborhood declined as residents moved the the suburbs, and the theatre was closed by 1970 and sat vacant for the next 40 years. In 1991, the building was saved from demolition by minor repair projects and placed on the National Register of Historic Place in 1992.

In 2000, the City of Columbus and Franklin County each put up $4 million, with the Lincoln Theatre Association/CAPA raising the rest through private donations. Hardlines Design Company, a Columbus based architectural firm specializing in the rehabilitation of historic buildings, completed a master plan and continued with its implementation. The $10.8 million project included the restoration of the Egyptian Revival style interior, construction of a new balcony and development of new additional to the house patron amenities and backstage suppose spaces. Today, the Lincoln Theatre features live performances, plan to host a movies series, and is home to the Columbus Jazz Academy. The project was the catalyst for other development in the area including two coffee shops and a condominium development.

Best Promotional Event Take a Hike!
recipient: Historic Gateway Neighborhood Corporation

If you found yourself in Cleveland from late April to early September last year, you had the unique opportunity to take a guided walking tour of downtown Cleveland. Take a Hike!, a new local tourism program, delighted over 2,600 attendees in its first season! Knowledgeable tour guides walked attendees through the Historic Gateway Neighborhood, Historic Warehouse District or Canal Basin Park while talented actors and actresses entertained by playing important figures in Cleveland’s history. The tours were free and combined entertainment with education.

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