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November 2009 - Vol. 23, No. 11
Kerri Broome, editor
 
 
In This Issue

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 Southworth House Receives National Award
 standing ovation for Local 860 at emotional ceremony

Southworth Mansion The loudest applause at this year's National Preservation Awards ceremony in Nashville, TN, came when it was announced that Cleveland's own Laborers Union Local 860 had received an Honor Award for the rehabilitation of the Southworth House. When Kathleen Crowther, Cleveland Restoration Society executive director, introduced the union members, she was repeatedly interrupted by cheers from the thousand-person audience. According to National Trust records, this is the first time that a union has received a national preservation award. Built in 1879 by a prominent Cleveland banker, the house at 3334 Prospect Avenue in Cleveland had housed a number of indifferent or unsympathetic owners and suffered considerable damage and alteration. Local 860 acquired the structure in 2006 and spent $2.8 million in restoration and rehabilitation costs to bring the building back to its former glory with the help of architect Scott Dimit. CRS was recognized as a co-recipient of the award. We are delighted to see this well-deserved recognition for Anthony Liberatore and the union he so ably led in making this contribution to the Upper Prospect Avenue neighborhood that both Local 860 and CRS share. Congratulations!

 


 Moe Announces Retirement
 to leave top position at National Trust in 2010

Richard Moe On November 3, 2009 Richard Moe announced his intent to retire as president of the National Trust for Historic Preservation in 2010. Moe has held the position for 17 years, dramatically enlarging the constituency and relevancy of preservation across the country. He also led the Trust through a critical time of financial restructuring as the organization shifted from a base of primarily federal funding to a broad base of private-sector support. In Cleveland, we will forever appreciate Dick Moe for creating the Statewide and Local Partners Program, which was recommended by the Cleveland Restoration Society. In his statement to Trust members and friends, Moe said of the upcoming transitional period, "I have told the Board of Trustees that I will stay until a successor is chosen, and that will most likely be sometime next spring. Chairman Cliff Hudson has established a search committee to conduct a national search for the position. My highest priority in these next months is to do everything possible to ensure the smoothest possible transition."

 


 Community Restoration and Revitalization Act
 bill to improve current historic tax credits law

Over $50 billion in renovation and revitalization dollars have been generated since the tax credit legislation was enacted in 1976. On October 1, 2009, Senators Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) and Olympia Snowe (R-ME), together with Representatives Allyson Schwartz (D-PA) and Pat Tiberi (R-OH) reintroduced H.R.3715 and S. 1743 that propose beneficial changes to the federal rehabilitation tax credit and offer stronger incentives for the reuse of historic and older buildings. In summary, there are eight proposed amendments:
  • Increase the federal historic tax credit from 20% to 30% for "small projects" with $5 million or less in qualified rehabilitation expenditures.
  • Permit the 10% non-historic credit for older buildings to be used for rehabilitating residential rental property.
  • Use the common definition of an older building as one that is at least 50 years old in determining eligibility for the 10% non-historic rehabilitation credit.
  • Allow for certain leasing arrangements with non-profits and other tax-exempt entities that are now precluded.
  • Encourage building owners who are rehabilitating historic buildings to achieve substantial energy savings and allow graduated increases in the credit based on the scale of energy efficiencies achieved.
  • Allow for the transfer of historic tax credits to another taxpayer for projects under $5 million in qualified rehabilitation costs.
  • Allow for moderate rehabilitation by reducing by half the substantial rehabilitation requirements.
  • Specify that state historic tax credits should not be considered federal income for tax purposes.
If you support these changes, contact today your Members of Congress and ask them to cosponsor this legislation. Find out how to do so, and get more information on the amendments, at the National Trust for Historic Preservation's web site.


 


 Greening Federal Buildings
 executive order issued

President Barack Obama signed the Federal Leadership in Environmental, Energy and Economic Performance Executive Order on October 5. The Executive Order requires Federal agencies to set a 2020 greenhouse gas emissions reduction target within 90 days; increase energy efficiency; reduce fleet petroleum consumption; conserve water; reduce waste; support sustainable communities; and leverage Federal purchasing power to promote environmentally responsible products and technologies.

 


 Ohio History Initiative Needs Your Support
 Ohio House Bill 75 and Ohio Senate Bill 60

Representatives Kathleen Chandler and Mike Moran and Senator Mark Wagoner have introduced legislation that would create a new income tax credit check-off program to support the Ohio Historical Society. Revenue from these funds would establish a matching grants program for local history-related organizations. This could produce significant dollars annually for local history projects at minimal additional cost to the state. Projects could support rehabilitation of older buildings, archival conservation, archaeological digs, educational programs and other history-related efforts. Ask your legislators to support House Bill 75 and Senate Bill 60. For more information contact Jennifer Sandy at the Trust's Midwest Regional Office or Todd Kleismit of the Ohio Historical Society.

 


 Ohio Historic Preservation Tax Credit Update
 round 3 now closed

The Ohio Department of Development has announced that the application submittal date for the latest round of the Ohio Historic Preservation Tax Credit ended on September 30. More than 50 applications from 14 cities representing more than $375 million in planned investments around the state were received. Approved applications will be announced by December 31, 2009. Round 4, with currently $24.3 million in tax credits potential, begins on January 1, 2010.

 


 Ohio Historic Preservation Office Honors Outstanding Achievements
 four NEO recipients recognized by the state

Left to Right, Jim Strider, Marcia Moll, and Rick Sicha Recipients of the 2009 Ohio Historic Preservation Office Awards were honored October 17 by State Historic Preservation Officer James D. Strider during a luncheon at the historic Palace Theatre in Marion. The awards presentation recognizes outstanding contributions to historic preservation in Ohio. "These awards celebrate the best historic preservation efforts in Ohio by individuals, businesses and organizations," Strider said. "Their contributions raise awareness of the importance of preservation locally and in our state as well as enhance environments that enrich the fabric of our communities today." Award recipients from Greater Cleveland were:
  • Barberton: Preservation Education and Awareness Award to the Barberton Historical Society and the Barberton City Schools for their collaborative work to engage students in learning about the community's local history and significant historic places.
  • Cleveland: Preservation Merit Award to Michael Chesler and the Chesler Group for over 20 years of service as an advocate for, and practitioner of, preservation and adaptive use of the Cleveland area's historic buildings.
  • Cleveland: Preservation Merit Award to The Finch Group, City Architecture, Ted Sande, AIA and Marous Brothers Construction for the rehabilitation and adaptive use of the 1923 Park Lane Villa Hotel at 10510 Park Lane.
  • Lakewood: Preservation Education and Awareness Award to city of Lakewood, the Lakewood Historical Society, the Lakewood Heritage Advisory Board and Lakewood Alive for their collective efforts to recognize, preserve and promote Lakewood's historic resources (pictured above from left to right: State Historic Preservation Officer James Strider with Lakewood's Marcia Moll and Richard Sicha).
The Ohio Historic Preservation Office Awards have been presented annually since 1983 on the basis of nominations from throughout the state. Awards are presented in two categories: Public Education and Awareness, and Preservation Merit. Congratulations to all 2009 honorees!


 


 Cleveland Play House Property Update
 sale completed; MOCA plans continue

Cleveland Play House The Cleveland Clinic and the Play House announced on October 15 that the theater complex sale has been completed. The price is recorded at $13 million. The proceeds bring the Play House to nearly half of the $30 million needed for renovation of the Allen Theatre at Playhouse Square. However, the sale also puts pressure on MOCA to complete its fundraising for a new home at University Circle. The Play House will remain at the present site under a lease arrangement that ends on December 31, 2011, that could be extended once to June 30, 2012. MOCA may remain at the present location as long as the Play House does, by mutual agreement. The unanswered question at this time is the future of the property after the Play House leaves. The property is not listed in the National Register of Historic Places nor as a Cleveland Landmark. The 1983 Philip Johnson additions, including the Bolton Theatre, represent Johnson's only architectural Cleveland work. Cleveland Clinic spokeswoman Eileen Shell said that: "Over the next several months, we'll study the options and see what's possible and make the best decision for the Cleveland Clinic, keeping in mind the interests of the community."

 


 Bailey Building Redevelopment Underway in Lakewood
 preservation works for our downtowns!

Bailey Building Construction began October 26, 2009 on an ambition rehabilitation of the Bailey Building, located in downtown Lakewood. Using a 126-ton crane, crews have been systematically removing 16,000-pound concrete panels to restore the classic brick and stone building's original fa�ade, which was completed in 1930. In the 1960s the building was radically modified when the concrete panels were put in place and since then the corner that the Bailey Building occupies - Warren and Detroit, the busiest in the city - was dark and uninviting. Building owners Kowit & Passov, Then Design Architects, and the City of Lakewood have been working together since January to develop a rehabilitation and development strategy to energize this important and under-used corner. The proposed renovation was approved by the city's Architectural Board of Review in August. At the urging of the Department of Planning and Development, and incentivized through a loan from the City's Economic Development Fund, the building is going to be restored to its original 1930s grandeur on the exterior. Significant interior improvements will provide updated office space to compliment the new retail and other development that has recently taken place in the city's downtown. The Bailey Building project is a great success for Lakewood.

 


 Tour the Mahoning County Courthouse
 opportunity this Saturday

The Institute of Classical Architecture and Classical America, Ohio & Erie Chapter, invites you to a tour of the Mahoning County Courthouse, featuring the outstanding Edwin Blashfield pendentive murals. The tour will take place on Saturday, November 7 and will be led by Robert Mastriana, architect of the 1985-1991 restoration and Phyllis Beard, restorer of the mural paintings. The trip to Youngstown will also include a tour of the McKim, Meade and White-designed Butler Institute of Art and a visit to the Arms Family Museum of Local History. RSVPs are appreciated to [email protected] or 216-631-0557. Meet at 10:30 am in front of the Mahoning County Courthouse, 120 Market Street in Youngstown. If you'd like, you can meet to carpool from Cleveland at 8:45 am in the SW corner of the Rockside Corners parking lot, 6901 Rockside Road, in Independence to depart promptly at 9:00 am. There is no charge for the event. Pay for your own lunch at the Butler Museum. Two 2 AIA Continuing Learning Units can be earned by architects.

 


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

November 5-7
Bioneers Cleveland 2009
Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs
Cleveland State University, $$$
Bioneers Cleveland

November 7
Tour of Mahoning County Courthouse
RSVP to [email protected] or 216-631-0557
Institute of Classical Architecture and Classical America, Ohio & Erie Chapter


November 10
Cash in the Attic Workshop
Elyria City Hall, 131 Court St., Elyria
9:00 am - 5:00 pm, $$$
The Nord Family Foundation
Heritage Ohio


November 10
2010 CDBG Citizen Participation Community Meeting
Lutheran Hospitals Learning Center, 6:00 - 8:00 pm
West 28th Street and Franklin Avenue, Cleveland
City of Cleveland

November 12
2010 CDBG Citizen Participation Community Meeting
Cleveland Foodbank Community Room, 6:00 - 8:00 pm
15500 South Waterloo Road, Cleveland
City of Cleveland


November 13
50th Anniversary of Heights Art Theater Raid
6:30 pm lecture; 7:00 pm film Les Amants
Cleveland Heights Public Library
Seating is limited, you must RSVP
Cleveland Heights Historical Society


November 13
Green Urbanism: The Global Shift toward Sustainable and Resilient Cities
Cleveland Museum of Natural History, 7:30 pm
1 Wade Oval Drive, Cleveland
Cleveland Council on World Affairs
Cleveland Museum of Natural History

November 17
"The American Home Interior: Treatment and Transformation"
Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens, 7:00 -9:00 pm
Cleveland Restoration Society


November 18
Historic Theatres Workshop
Historic Southern Theater, 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
21 E. Main Street, Columbus
Heritage Ohio
Ohio Arts Council


November 19
Cuyahoga County Land Bank
Cleveland State University, 8:30 am - 12:00 pm, register
Glickman-Miller Hall, 1717 Euclid Ave., Cleveland
Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs


November 19
University Circle Inc. Annual Meeting
Cleveland Museum of Art, 5:30 pm, $$, register
University Circle, Inc.


December 1
"The American Home Interior: Treatment and Transformation"
Oberlin Public Library, 7:00 pm
Oberlin Heritage Center
City of Oberlin Historic Preservation Commission
Lorain County Preservation Network
Cleveland Restoration Society


 


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