State Tax Credits Awarded to 19 Historic Preservation Projects

On June 30, the Ohio Development Services Agency awarded $27.5 million in Ohio Historic Preservation Tax Credits to 19 applicants planning to rehabilitate 33 historic buildings. Together, the projects are expected to leverage approximately $279.4 million in private investments in eight communities. Four of the projects are located in Northeast Ohio: Gund Brewing/Scott Drug Building (2030-2032 West 25th Street, Cleveland), Leader Building (526-530 East Superior Avenue, Cleveland), Stuyvesant Motor Company Building (1937 Prospect Avenue, Cleveland), and United Building (1 South Main Street, Akron).  (Shown here: The Leader Building, photo by Michelle Jarboe McFee, The Plain Dealer) 

Once rehabilitated, these properties will drive further investment in their surrounding neighborhoods. So far this year, the OHPTC program has completed 100 projects, which have generated more than $1.4 billion in investment, rehabilitated 120 historic buildings, and created 3,439 housing units. The projects are located in 28 communities around the state and encompass more than 8.7 million square feet of space. The program is administered in partnership with the Ohio History Connection's State Historic Preservation Office. 

Missions Named to World Heritage List 

The World Heritage Committee of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has just designated a group of five Spanish colonial missions in the San Antonio area - including most of San Antonio Missions National Historical Park and the Alamo - as a World Heritage Site. This decision was made at UNESCO's 39th session in Bonn, Germany, this past weekend. The group of former missions includes not just active churches, but also farmlands, living quarters, granaries, workshops, kilns, wells, perimeter walls, a cattle ranch and irrigation systems (acequias) that are still functioning after hundreds of years. These achievements were possible through the combined efforts of the Spanish and indigenous peoples living in the missions. The site is the 23rd World Heritage Site in the United States, out of more than a thousand worldwide, which include the Taj Mahal in India, and the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. Then-U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced the Department's intention to nominate the Missions as a World Heritage Site in June 2011. Information on the World Heritage Program and the process for the selection of U.S. sites can be found here.

America's 11 Most Endangered Historic Places

The National Trust for Historic Preservation has released the 2015 list of America's 11 Most Endangered Historic Places, noting that it is the most diverse list ever compiled (from Miami's Little Havana to the Grand Canyon!). Several of the places on this year's list focus on chapters in our history that have sometimes been overlooked, reinforcing the message that preserving the full American experience means everyone has a seat at the table and that all voices are heard. Since 1988, the National Trust has used its list of America's 11 Most Endangered Historic Places to raise awareness about the threats facing some of the nation's greatest treasures. The list, which has identified more than 250 sites to date, has been so successful in galvanizing preservation efforts that only a handful of sites have been lost.

New Report on Cleveland's Population

There's a new report that provides information about the changing population in the city of Cleveland from 2006 - 2013. This document was created by Cleveland State University's Center for Population Dynamics for the nonprofit Cleveland Neighborhood Progress. Click here to access this interesting report.

Creative Workforce Fellowship Applications Open

Cuyahoga County-based artists are invited to compete for one of 40 Creative Workforce Fellowships available through the Community Partnership for Arts and Culture (CPAC). Artists of all disciplines can apply for one of the $15,000 research and development grants. Alongside the financial investment, 2016 Fellows will receive communications support to help spotlight the work and opportunities they are creating in the community and to help connect them with residents. The application is available online and due by September 4, 2015.

News from the Sarah Benedict House

Please join us in welcoming Michael Flowers to the CRS staff! Michael came to CRS in June as an assistant in the Heritage Home Program. He has been busy speaking with homeowners about the program, coordinating site visits and has even spent some time in the field. He finished his B.A. in 2013 at Youngstown State University majoring in History, with a minor in Archaeology and a certificate in Historic Preservation. In 2015, Michael earned an M.A. in Historic Preservation at Ball State University. Michael favors Modernism, especially the sub-style Brutalism. His thesis focused on the architecture of Ewing H. Miller II, a Modernist architect based out of Terre Haute, Indiana and Indianapolis.

Where's Benedict?

Celebrate Cleveland's 219th Birthday!

The Early Settlers Association of the Western Reserve invites you to celebrate the 219th birthday of the city of Cleveland! The celebration begins at the Lorenzo Carter Cabin at Settlers Landing in Heritage Park, near where city founder Moses Cleaveland first stepped on land from the Cuyahoga River in 1796. Following a program at the park, there will be a buffet lunch at the Flat Iron, 1114 Center Street, which will include an update on the activities and programs of the Friends of Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial. There is a cost for the lunch and reservations must be made by July 15. Call 216-319-0997 or 440-235-1565 for more information. (Photo of the Lorenzo Carter Cabin by Mike Kezdi, Sun News) 

Discover City Living on a  

CLE City Life Tour

Do you want to learn more about living in Cleveland, or do you want to show the possibilities of city living to someone you know? CLE City Life Tours are a great way to do just that. Tours have been scheduled for July and August. Hop on Lolly the Trolley and discover (or re-discover) Cleveland's neighborhoods. The tours include an opportunity to talk about the city's history, current events, entertainment options, and most importantly, livability. The cost is $12 per person, which includes the tour and a t-shirt. Click here to register.