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.