Celebration of Preservation Tickets on Sale Now

Join the Cleveland Restoration Society and AIA Cleveland for our annual Celebration of Preservation awards program as we celebrate May, National Preservation Month! The program will take place at the Union Club, 1211 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, on Thursday, May 1, from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. Our awards jury has been meeting and this year's award winners are almost decided. You will not want to miss this program, when we recognize exemplary projects and individuals who have made significant investments in the revitalization of Northeast Ohio. We think you'll see that the award winners exemplify "inspire" in this year's National Preservation Month theme, which is the "New Age of Preservation: Embark, Inspire, Engage." Individual ticket prices for the Celebration of Preservation are $15 for members of CRS or AIA and $40 for non-members. Click here to register. Reservations are required by Friday, April 25. For more information, visit www.clevelandrestoration.org  or call 216-426-1000.

Legacy Cities Conference Update

Registration will be opening within a few days for "Historic Preservation in America's Legacy Cities: An Interdisciplinary Convening." This conference will be held at Cleveland State University June 5 - 7, 2014. Hosted by the Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs and the Cleveland Restoration Society, this event will be a gathering to discuss the role of historic preservation in revitalizing America's Legacy Cities. Click here for more information about the conference. 

Heritage Home Program Ready to Help You!

Heritage Home Program(SM) staff is gearing up for busy spring construction season and looks forward to hearing from homeowners. Last month, homeowners Vincent and Ruby Holland shared their Heritage Home Program(SM) experience in a segment on News Channel 5. The video clip highlighted what the program has been doing for twenty-two years - helping homeowners maintain and repair their homes through our free technical assistance and low-interest financing! Currently, the Heritage Home Program(SM) is available in thirty-eight participating communities. Program staff is ready to answer your home repair questions or help to make your remodel project happen. Contact us at 216-426-3116 or www.heritagehomeprogram.org for your first look or your second opinion!

Historic Tax Credit Update:  

Response to Anticipated Tax Reform

On February 26, House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Dave Camp (R-MI) released a discussion draft of his comprehensive Tax Reform Act of 2014. This proposal would repeal the Historic Tax Credit (HTC) program from the tax code. This credit's proposed elimination presents the greatest threat the Historic Tax Credit has faced since 1986, when Congress last enacted comprehensive tax reform. The National Trust responded immediately to the news, releasing a statement to the public that stressed the importance of retaining the Historic Tax Credit, sending a letter to every member of the House of Representatives asking for improvements instead of elimination of the HTC, and distributing a stakeholder sign-on letter with over 300 signatories to Congress. During Historic Preservation Advocacy Week in early March, National Trust for Historic Preservation staff joined local preservation advocates, including Cleveland Restoration Society President Kathleen H. Crowther, for meetings with members of Congress and their staff. During these meetings, advocates described the importance of HTC projects to community revitalization, expressed strong concerns about Chairman Camp's draft proposal to repeal the credit, and urged members to support the improvement rather than the elimination of the historic tax credit (the Historic Preservation Fund and the Congressional Historic Preservation Caucus were also topics of discussion). While there is only a remote chance of tax reform happening in this Congress, you can still vocalize your support for the HTC, in order to help retain the federal government's most significant contribution to historic preservation. Click here for more information.

Antiquities Act of 1906 Threatened

Late in March, we told you on CRS's Facebook page about the threat to the Antiquities Act of 1906 through H.R. 1459, the "Ensuring Public Involvement in the Creation of National Monument Act." The Antiquities Act of 1906 is our first preservation law and our best tool for protecting historic and cultural resources on public land. H.R. 1459's title is misleading, because what the legislation actually proposed was to curtail the President's ability to act swiftly to establish or expand the designation of national monuments on federally owned or controlled property in order to protect sites, objects, and landscapes of historic, cultural, or scientific interest. Many of today's national parks were first protected by presidents as national monuments under the Antiquities Act - places such as the Grand Canyon, Statue of Liberty, Acadia, Zion, Grand Teton, and the Olympic National Parks. Unfortunately, the House voted 222-201 to pass the legislation, mostly along party lines with 10 Republicans crossing over to oppose the bill and three Democrats voting favorably. The vote on this bill marks the one year anniversary of President Obama protecting the Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument in Ohio.  When Congress failed to pass bipartisan legislation conserving Colonel Young's historic home in Wilberforce, President Obama used his pen and executive authority to honor this African-American leader and pioneer in U.S. Military history. Colonel Young would go on to serve as the nation's first African-American national park superintendent. Now the bill moves over to the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, and then possibly on to the full Senate for consideration. The National Trust has recently posted five reasons to support the Antiquities Act of 1906. Read more here. You may have another chance to make your voice heard in advocating for the Antiquities Act. We'll keep you posted.

Transportation Update:  

Preserving & Advocating for Section 4(f)

New Report on Rightsizing

The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) has released its report, Managing Change: Preservation and Rightsizing in America. This report takes a fresh look at rightsizing from a historic preservation perspective by highlighting historic preservation strategies, which are often overlooked by local decision makers. Key findings of the report:

• The Federal Historic Preservation Tax Incentives Program is an important program that has been instrumental in the preservation and redevelopment of the core areas and mixed-use historic neighborhoods in legacy cities.
• Section 106 of the NHPA is an important planning process that engages diverse stakeholders to inform decision making and limit adverse effects on historic properties.
• Federal programs that are targeted to demolition do not always reflect the preferences of the residents of the community, especially when they are seeking historic preservation options.
• Rightsizing, sustainability, and historic preservation are often considered separate policy issues.

While the report focuses on legacy cities-older industrial cities undergoing dramatic change-its findings and recommendations are relevant to any city or town that exhibits rightsizing characteristics. It offers community leaders, local stakeholders, and government agencies valuable suggestions on using historic preservation tools and techniques that have proven effective in managing change and building strong, resilient communities. The report is available for download here.

The report also includes case studies of how federal resources have helped revitalize neighborhoods. Do you have a success story to share? The ACHP intends to showcase innovative approaches to rightsizing in affected communities. Please share your cases studies and best practices with the ACHP by emailing rightsizing@achp.gov.

Cuyahoga Land Bank Awarded Millions for Demolition

CRS Participates on Panel About Value of Preservation  

in African-American Communities

The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP), the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and the African American Experience Fund of the National Park Foundation, together with American Express, had the opportunity to participate on a panel to discuss the value of historic preservation in African-American communities at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation's 2013 Annual Legislative Conference last fall.  "Preserving African American Historic Places: Breathing New Life into Our Communities" featured several leaders in historic preservation and history. This opportunity followed a meeting Dr. Clement A Price, ACHP Vice Chairman attended, as well as John Hairston, Cleveland Restoration Society Trustee Bracy Lewis, and CBC Chair Marcia Fudge. The panel of distinguished preservation leaders conveyed to an overflowing room that preserving historic properties revitalizes African-American neighborhoods, spurs economic vitality, creates job growth and establishes a link to the past that provides communities with their own unique identity.  Local examples provided were from Cleveland. The panel discussed how historic preservation tools support economic, educational and cultural renewal in the nation's African-American communities.

Ross County  

Hopewell Earthworks Saved From Auction

The Junction Earthworks in Chillicothe is one of the last unprotected, intact sites of its kind in Ohio. An auction, scheduled for March 18, was the impetus for a fundraising effort to preserve the 2,000- year old Hopewell complex, which includes a burial ground. The nonprofit Arc of Appalachia Preserve System, founded in 1995, has taken the lead in working to save the earthworks. Following an intensive grassroots campaign, the organization was able to save the entire site except for one farm field, which was the lowest tract on its priority acquisition list, at the March auction. The long-term goal of the Arc of Appalachia is for the site to be added to the Hopewell Culture National Historical Park and for it be nominated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. For more information about Junction Earthworks, click here.

Trust's Diversity Scholarship Program Accepting Applications

Since 1992, the Trust's Diversity Scholarship Program (DSP) has supported the attendance of community leaders new to preservation and emerging preservation professionals at the National Preservation Conference. DSP participants receive financial assistance in the form of complimentary registration and lodging to attend the conference. In addition to the full conference program of education and field sessions, special events, and workshops, scholarship recipients are provided a special orientation, an opening session, a mentor program, and exclusive opportunities to present at the general sessions and power sessions. Applications are currently being accepted for the 2014 conference, to be held in Savannah, Georgia in November. The deadline to apply is May 1, 2014. Click here for the application and more information.

Flash Masses Catch on in Cleveland

Cleveland's first-ever flash "Mass Mob" was held on Sunday, March 23 at the once-closed St. Casimir Church, 8223 Sowinski Avenue.  An estimated 500 individuals attended the event, orchestrated primarily through social media.  An idea first used in Buffalo, flash Masses are organized to call groups to visit historic or unique sacred landmarks.  The next flash Mass is scheduled for April 27 at St. Barbara's, 1505 Denison Avenue, Cleveland at 11:00 a.m. 

Tower East Office Building Listed in National Register of Historic Places

The architectural significance of Tower East, the twelve- story office building located at 20600 Chagrin Boulevard, Shaker Heights, has now been recognized through official listing in the National Park Service's National Register of Historic Places. Designed by master architect Walter Gropius and completed in 1968, it is the only building by the famed architect in Ohio and the first constructed between New York and Chicago. The exposed exterior concrete and modular, grid-like appearance of Tower East's façade reflect the functional modern aesthetic of the International Style of architecture. Mayor Earl M. Leiken notes, "The City of Shaker Heights is very pleased that the Tower East building designed by Walter Gropius is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This architecturally significant building is also a key anchor in the new Van Aken District. The owners, Rosemont Realty and Equity Engineering, have made a major investment in this great building, which will ensure its quality well into the future."

Shaker Heights 2014 Preservation Awards  

Nominations Due April 25

Is there a project in your Shaker Heights neighborhood that deserves recognition? The Shaker Heights Landmark Commission is now accepting nominations for the 2014 awards program. Exterior improvement projects completed within the last two years are eligible. Click here for the nomination form and to see past award winners. Contact Ann Klavora at ann.klavora@shakeronline.com or 216-491-1436 with any questions.

Space Available at the     

Sarah Benedict House -  

Open House on 4/17 

Are you looking for office space right now? The beautiful third floor of the Cleveland Restoration Society's headquarters, the Sarah Benedict House, is currently available for lease.  This light-filled space includes approximately 1,500 SF of fully improved office space: five+ rooms, restroom, and storage facilities. The first floor meeting rooms of the Sarah Benedict House are also available for use by third floor tenants, as is the adjacent garden. A kitchen is provided for catering and tenant use. Click here for more information. CRS will be holding an open house on April 17 from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. RSVP for the Open House here. Contact Felicia Hall at felicia.hall@clevelandrestoration.org for more information. The house is also available for event rentals. If you are interested in learning more about reserving the Sarah Benedict House for your next business meeting, party, or wedding, consider joining us at the Open House on the 17th to learn more.  

AIA Cleveland  

Historic Resources Committee Update

AIA Cleveland members are invited to attend an organizational meeting to revive that organization's Historic Resources Committee. All members that are interested in historic preservation, restoration, adaptive use and architecture history are invited to attend this "brown bag" lunch. The mission of the committee is to advance the preservation of Northeast Ohio's architectural heritage among AIA members, allied organization, and the public. The meeting will be held at the AIA Cleveland office, 1001 Huron Rd., #101, Cleveland, at noon on April 3. Contact AIA for more information at maryhelen@aiacleveland.com.

Art to Feature Cozad-Bates House

On April 12, artist Kevin Beasley will present a commissioned work for MOCA Cleveland that uses both the museum and the historic Cozad-Bates House, the only surviving pre-Civil War structure in Cleveland's University Circle. Titled "And in My Dream I Was Rolling on the Floor," Beasley's sound work will consider the architecture, history and the condition of the bodies that move(d) through the house and the museum. It will be presented as a sequence of four live, multi-channel audio performances at the house, which is located at 11508 Mayfield Road. Each 30-45 minute piece (Civil Twilight I, Transit, Civil Twilight II, and Night) is composed for a specific time, charting the shifting atmosphere over the course of a day. At the museum, the entire scope of the compositions can be experienced in a daylong listening environment in the Gund Commons. The experience is free and open to all. A limited number of pre-registered tickets are available online for each performance. Ticket holders must check-in twenty minutes prior to each performance to ensure admittance. There will be a limited number of walk-up tickets for each performance.

2014 Cleveland  

Green Building Challenge

Annual Lakewood Old House Fair  

to be Held May 3

Come to Harding Middle School, at Hilliard & Madison Avenues in Lakewood, on Saturday, May 3 from 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. for the annual Lakewood Old House Fair. This event serves as a home improvement one-stop shop with special focus on areas unique to Lakewood's abundance of older homes and living spaces. Goods and services are all related to improvement, remodel, repair, beautification, and decorating of living spaces we call home. Unlike the larger home expos of the Cleveland area this event is a nonprofit community service purposely kept small in order to stay focused on sustaining century homes for another 100 years and respecting the integrity of old homes. Fifty exhibitors, including Cleveland Restoration Society's Heritage Home Program, will give their quality expertise on older homes. Bring photos of your projects for free consultation! Admission is free and there will be door prize and booth raffle giveaways. Special scheduled presentations will be: "Landmarking Your Historic House" by Lakewood Heritage Advisory Board at 11:00 a.m. and at noon and 2:00 p.m. certified arborist and landscaper, John Palmer, will talk about yard care and trees. Get current event news at www.lakewoodobserver.com. Businesses and nonprofits interested in learning more about exhibiting can contact Lakewood Hardware store at 216-226-8822.

11th Annual Historic Downtown Cleveland Luncheon

The Historic Gateway Neighborhood Corporation, PlayhouseSquare District Development Corporation and Historic Warehouse District Development Corporation will feature Dr. John Crompton, Distinguished Professor of Recreation, Park and Tourism Sciences at Texas A&M University, at the 11th Annual Historic Downtown Cleveland Luncheon Forum on  May 14, 2014. This event will be held from 11:30 am - 1:30 pm at The Westin Cleveland Downtown, which opens this month. Dr. Crompton's presentation is entitled, "Investing in the Public Realm: An Economic Imperative!" and he will share his expertise on the importance of creating public spaces for downtown's economic future. Tickets are $65 per person and corporate tables are available for $1500. Proceeds will benefit the three host organizations. For more information or tickets call 216-344-3937 or visit warehousedistrict.org.

Ohio Courthouse Symposium

County Courthouses are icons of our community identity and the hub of political, judicial, and commercial life. Sixty nine of Ohio's courthouses are listed in the National Register of Historic Places. What are solutions to make these buildings viable for another 100 years? To look into this issue, the County Commissioners Association of Ohio, the Ohio Historical Society, the Supreme Court of Ohio, Heritage Ohio, AIA Columbus, and others are hosting a special Ohio Courthouses Symposium May 15-16, 2014. Join them as they celebrate the economic and symbolic value of our historic courthouses and learn how to overcome the challenges of funding and maintaining Ohio's courthouses in the twenty-first century. This event will be held in Columbus. Click here for more information or to register.

Take a Hike in Downtown Cleveland

The award-winning Take a Hike program has returned for 2014, and locals and visitors alike can "take a hike" from May 15 through September 16 with five free guided walking tours in Downtown Cleveland every week. The Gateway District tour meets every Wednesday at 6:00 p.m. in the Arcade (401 Euclid Avenue). The Civic Center tour meets every Thursday at 6:00 p.m. at Old Stone Church (91 Public Square). The Warehouse District tour meets every Saturday at 10:00 a.m. in front of Constantino's Market (1278 West 9th Street). The Canal Basin Park tour meets every Sunday at 10:00 a.m. at Settler's Landing RTA Station (1025 West Superior Avenue). The PlayhouseSquare tour meets every Tuesday at 6:00 p.m. in the State Theatre Lobby (1519 Euclid Avenue). Tour attendees will learn about the history, architecture, interesting trivia and future plans in each tour area, and encounter famous Clevelanders, such as John D. Rockefeller, Frances Payne Bolton, Garrett Morgan and others along the way. Each tour lasts approximately 90 minutes. Tours are free, but donations are encouraged to help fund future tours. Reservations are greatly appreciated, although not necessary. Groups of ten or more are asked to call 216-771-1994 in advance. For more information visit www.clevelandgatewaydistrict.com.