State Rehabilitation Tax Credit Passed
 a long-awaited victory

The holidays might be over, but the state of Ohio received a huge and well-deserved gift on January 2 when Governor Taft signed into law the bill authorizing a historic preservation tax credit. Both the Ohio Senate and House of Representatives had passed the amended bill in mid-December. The legislation creates a two-year trial program for the 25% tax credit for up to 100 projects per year. The Ohio Department of Development and the Tax Commissioner will conduct a cost-benefit analysis of each project to verify that there will be a resulting net revenue gain in state and local taxes. Our appreciation goes to Sen. Kirk Schuring of Canton, who moved the bill and its amendments through the Senate, and Rep. Charles Calvert of Medina, chief sponsor in the House. Read the full text of the bill here.

 

 2007 calendars now only $5
 start the new year off right!

Get organized for the new year by purchasing a 2007 Celebration of Preservation calendar, which features the 2006 Preservation Award winners in beautiful full-color photographs with accompanying text. Calendars can now be purchased for $5 each at the Cleveland Restoration Society’s headquarters at 3751 Prospect Avenue, Cleveland, weekdays from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. or from our online store. Proceeds benefit the Cleveland Restoration Society’s programs. Contact Deanna Bremer Fisher for more information.

 

 Sustainability Begins with Preservation
 Rypkema's speech available online

Thank you for making our 34th annual Community Luncheon a success! Our capacity crowd listened to Donovan Rypkema make the connection between economic development and historic preservation. Read the text of his speech here.

 

 Greening of Historic Properties Summit Held
 read the white paper

The first National Summit on the Greening of Historic Properties was held on October 30 in Pittsburgh. The Green Building Alliance and the Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation coordinated with the National Trust for Historic Preservation to offer the event prior to the start of the National Preservation Conference in Pittsburgh. The Summit featured experts in the disciplines of both green building and historic preservation in a discussion regarding existing LEED certification requirements as they relate to historic preservation. A draft of the White Paper from this summit is now available.

 

 Nominations for Trust’s 11 Most Endangered Due
 send submissions by January 12









The National Trust’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places List, issued annually to raise awareness of historic sites at risk from neglect, lack of maintenance, insufficient funds, inappropriate development or insensitive public policy, marks its 20th anniversary in 2007. Cincinnati’s Over-the-Rhine neighborhood, pictured above, was on the 2006 list. Nominations for the 2007 list are now being accepted, with a postmark due date of Friday, January 12, 2007. The National Trust uses three primary criteria to determine the finalists: significance, urgency, and potential solutions. The 2007 list will be announced in May. If you are interested in nominating an endangered property, please work closely with the National Trust Midwest Regional Office to improve chances for a successful nomination.

 

 Three Tremont Steeples Lit in 2006
 thirteen sacred landmarks now illuminated

We are proud to report that our Steeple Lighting Program has had a very successful year with the implementation of lighting plans for three Tremont neighborhood churches in 2006. Zion United Church of Christ, located at 2716 West 14th Street, was lit in March 2006. The steeple of the Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation, which sits prominently by the interstate exit at the eastern end of West 14th Street, was lit for the first time on Friday, December 1. And most recently, the distinctive and gorgeous onion domes of St. Theodosius Russian Orthodox Cathedral have been illuminated. These three churches bring the total number of sacred landmarks lit through the Steeple Lighting Program to thirteen. The program is funded through the Reinhold Erickson Fund of The Cleveland Foundation and strives to highlight the city’s religious architecture as beacons of hope for their surrounding communities and as a part of the greater Cleveland region.

 

 Discount Magazine Subscriptions
 new benefit for our members

The Cleveland Restoration Society is pleased to announce a NEW member benefit: Subscriptions to Old-House Interiors or Arts & Crafts Homes at Special Member Rates! You can receive Old-House Interiors for just $12 for six issues (50% off the regular rate) and Arts & Crafts Homes for $18 for four issues (35% off the regular rate). For more information, contact Deanna Bremer Fisher.

 

 New Nominations to the National Register
 state board recommends two local resources

Members of the Ohio Historic Site Preservation Advisory Board recommended to State Historic Preservation Officer Rachel M. Tooker that nominations for a Cleveland property and a local historic district be forwarded to the Keeper of the National Register of Historic Places for her consideration. The Baker Motor Vehicle Company Building, at Euclid Avenue and E. 71st Street in Cleveland, was built in 1910. Baker developed Cleveland’s first practical electric car and one of the first in the nation, introduced in 1898. The building, Baker’s principal Cleveland showroom and service facility, was designed by Cleveland architect Frank B. Meade. It features ornamental brick and tile work with a back-to-back ‘BE’ insignia. The building was recommended for nomination due to its association with the history of Cleveland’s automotive industry and the electric automobile. Also recommended for nomination was the Superior Avenue Historic District, 1700-2553 Superior Avenue in Cleveland, for its history as the center of Cleveland’s garment industry in the early twentieth century, a time when Cleveland ranked second only to New York City in manufacture of women's clothing, and for its architectural significance. The district has industrial loft buildings designed by some of Cleveland’s most important early twentieth century architects.

 

 In Memoriam: Len "Boom" Goldberg
 1932 - 2006

Cleveland lost a legend with the passing of Len "Boom" Goldberg in late December 2006. His bass voice defined Cleveland's most famous radio station, WMMS FM/100.7, for decades. Goldberg, who first joined WMMS in 1972, was part of the "Buzzard Morning Zoo" with Jeff Kinzbach, Ed "Flash" Ferenc, Ruby Cheeks, "Mr. Leonard" and Casey Coleman when it was the highest-ranked morning show in Cleveland. He was also very involved with the Hessler Street Fair, which celebrated Cleveland's first historic district. The family has suggested that contributions be sent to the Cleveland Restoration Society. Contact Deanna Bremer Fisher for more information.

 

 Supporting Local Preservation Efforts
 spend time with the Cleveland Restoration Society!

We are pleased to announce that Qualetha Benson, a senior Urban Studies Major from Cleveland State University, will be working as an intern with our technical programs until May 2007. Qualetha started in October and has already been a huge help assisting the Neighborhood Historic Preservation Program and Heritage Home Program teams with data entry, follow-up customer service calls, and database management. Qualetha has over ten years of work experience, including five years with the City of Cleveland Water Department. She received her Associates degree form Cuyahoga Community College in 2005.

Now it's your turn. Did you make a New Year’s resolution to get more involved with issues and organizations that matter to you? If so, we can help! There are many ways to get involved, including volunteering your time to support the programs and events of the Cleveland Restoration Society. We especially need help with office administration at this time. For more information, contact Felicia Hall.

 

 Calendar of Events
 what to do, when to do it, and where to go

January 13
"Cedar Lee, 1880 through tomorrow"
Visit the past, present, and future of the Cedar-Lee commercial district at this exhibition of historic photos and drawings at Heights Arts at the Library, 2340 Lee Road. An opening reception will be held on Janury 13 from 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. with the exhibit open through February 24, Tuesday - Sunday 1:00 - 5:00 p.m. The exhibit is presented by Heights Arts, the Cleveland Heights Landmark Commission, the Cleveland Heights Historical Society, and FutureHeights.

January 18
“Energy, Oil & National Security”
Recent discussions about regional economic development have been focusing on how to build on our economic strengths and create sustainable jobs for the future. Ronald B. Richard, President and CEO of The Cleveland Foundation, will discuss how the foundation is working to develop an advanced energy strategy to create jobs and improve Ohio's economy while contributing to national security and environmental quality. The event, 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. at the Glickman-Miller Hall Atrium, 1717 Euclid Avenue, is presented by the Levin College Forum, a program of the Center for Civic Education in the Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs, Cleveland State University. It is free and open to the public, but registration is requested.

January 20
“The Cleveland Cultural Gardens”
Join the Cleveland Botanical Garden in welcoming Dr. George Parras, president of The Cleveland Cultural Garden Federation, as he presents a slideshow featuring the history, beauty, and future restoration plans of these Cleveland landmarks gardens within Rockefeller Park. The 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. event requires advance registration by calling 216-721-1600 ext. 143 and a fee ($8/member, $15/non-member).

January 24
CRS New Members' Reception
Join the Cleveland Restoration Society as we welcome new and prospective members to tour our headquarters, meet our staff and trustees, and learn more about our programs and events. Historic Preservation Consultant Ted Sande will give a presentation about the importance of preserving the architecture of the recent past. He will discuss how all styles of historical structures must be measured in terms of their value as important examples of what our civilization has produced. Refreshments will be served. Current members are welcome to attend with a guest who is interested in joining the Society. The reception will be held from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m., with the presentation starting at 6:00 p.m. Please RSVP with the name of your guest(s).

January 25
“HouseMender University – Choosing a New Heating System”
Cleveland Heights’ Home Repair Resource Center will offer this free workshop with Jim Ellia of Efficient Heating & Cooling. Learn what questions to ask when replacing your furnace or boiler and find our more about proper sizing, efficiency, and desirable features. The 7:00 p.m. event is open to all Cleveland Heights residents and will be held at HRRC's Office/Teaching Center, 2520 Noble Road. Reserve your seat by calling 216-381-9560.

January 29
Progress Through Preservation's Annual Meeting
Open to the public, the annual meeting of Akron's Progress Through Preservation will be held at 6:00 p.m. at the Martin University Center in downtown Akron. The evening will include a presentation by Mitchell Kahan, director and CEO of the Akron Art Museum, who will speak on "Old Meets New:The Akron Art Museum in the 21st Century." The deadline for dinner reservations is Wednesday, January 24. Contact Rosemary Reymann at 330-867-8621 for more information and to make reservations.


Save the date for these upcoming events:

April 21
Underground Railroad tour of Cleveland
In collaboration with the Cleveland Metroparks, the Cleveland Restoration Society is offering a bus tour of Cleveland’s Underground Railroad history. Included on the tour are stops at historical sites such as St. John’s Episcopal Church in Ohio City and the Cozad- Bates House in University Circle. Contact Erin Dorsey for more information.

April 28
“Moreland Courts: Urban Living at is Finest”
Join the Cleveland Restoration Society for our annual benefit and see Cleveland’s historic Moreland Courts complex in a whole new light. Designed and constructed in the 1920s as an apartment development highlighting English architectural styles, the complex of twelve buildings has been home to many of Cleveland's leading citizens throughout the years. Part of the Shaker Square Historic District, it is also listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The evening gala will feature delicious food and excellent entertainment in an interesting and historic setting. Contact Deanna Bremer Fisher for more information.