NY Times Article

Here's a good article on the conservation of interiors and objects, specifically with regard to systems and climate control (Artigas, right up your alley). Michael Henry is mentioned! Enjoy:

Fit to Print: Economic Crisis, Recovery and Preservation

Because the news is all about the our economic crisis and recovery - I thought I'd round up a few things I'd read recently on the subject that pertain to historic preservation and good planning.

"All Boarded Up" - NY Times article about Cleveland's foreclosure and mortgage crises that is a must read. If Cleveland is the future for many of our smaller cities, then we're in for it. Among the implications are a large number of demolitions, vacancies and vandalized houses, and plummeting property values. More difficult still are the incredibly tangled webs spun by governments, banks, flippers, and owners.

For something uplifting after that, hit up Patrice's piece at Preservation Nation, "Dispatch from Dubuque: Luring People Back to the Heartland", where she posits a contrasting vision for a sustainable future in America's small cities.

Wondering what's in the Stimulus Bill that relates to Historic Preservation? Me too. While the most explicit line items to fund preservation were cut, there are provisions for weatherization and energy efficiency, neighborhood stabilization, and affordable housing which could all apply to historic preservation if the groups getting the cash infusion think creatively. There is a lot of potential, but there's also a lot of tension brewing with pressure building on historic resouces. A good place to begin is the National Trust for Historic Preservation offers Stimulus 101 for some basics, or visit the Trust's The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act page for other info. See also their "Perfect Storm" page for more on the tension between "shovel-ready projects" and preservation priorities.

Landmarks Law Smackdown

The Chicago's Landmarks Law is in jeopardy now that an Illinois Appeals Court in Cook County ordered a lawsuit that seeks to overturn the city's landmarks law be allowed to go forward. The lawsuit contends that the city's landmarks law is basically too subjective, overly vague, and could be abused in its application.
Read the Chicago Tribune here or read the Trib's Skyline blog coverage for more pithy and evolving content here. Preservation Mag online has this.

Meanwhile here in NYC two hardship cases have come to the fore and promise more conflict over the city's Landmarks Law. The most interesting and difficult one is Saint Vincent's Hospital's proposed demolition of the O'Toole building and the precedent that the Landmarks Commission will set as it decides this case.

Back from the Dead.

Alright people. It's time to restart the conversation. I begin with a question:

What kind of an alumni network would you like from Penn?

I've spoken with Randy about building a stronger network that is not only informational and peppered with contacts, but interesting. I'm thinking about a web-based platform that is not like the Yahoo list-serv. I'm thinking profiles on what y'alls are doing. What thoughts do you have?

In the meantime I wish you all well and want you to come visit NYC to see me, Megan, Lauren, Gabriella, Annie, and Alexis.

Looking for a place to live, again, in NYC

Happy Spring Everyone!

I am doing well, although the files in my cubicle have started to pile up. I completely support Amanda’s book club idea. I also can not believe it has already been a year – and Ashley is MARRIED, and Sarah soon to be.

My lease ends July 1st and my roommates do not want to renew. So, I am looking for someone to live with in New York City. If anyone has any ideas or know of someone else looking, please let me know. Haha- can you ask the soon to be recent graduates like yourself is anyone is moving to NYC?

THANKS a lot.
Lots of love,
Gabriela

Hi!

Hello, my favorite Preservationists! The weather is finally feeling like spring in DC. However, I cannot believe that almost a year has passed since we graduated! Fon and I had the lovely opportunity to visit Miss Sarah V. in St. John, USVI this past week. It was wonderful and sunny- and we all returned home a little bit happier, and a bit more pink. Anyway, we were talking about how all of our jobs are a bit narrow-focused, and that we feel we are forgetting/not using some of our acquired knowledge. As a result, we've decided to do the ultimate nerd thing and to set up a book club. A Preservation Book Club! We're going to pick books, make our way slowly through them, and then discuss in some sort of technologically savvy way (think Theories meets John Hinchman). I realize some of you may still be in school (haha), burnt out, or have decided to forget the past 2 years. But, for those of you who are interested, let me know and I'll add you to the list! Hope all is well!

xoxo
Manders

Back on the Map!

Annie, Frank, et al are in today's NY Times for their work on the 1964-1965 World's Fair terrazzo road map. And for good measure, click here to peep the website Megan built for the exhibit.

shared victories

This is me just after emailing my thesis draft to RM. John and I promptly went to opening day at the ballpark, sang my song to the fabled onion wheel, and despite the rain and the loss had a great time! Did I mention I applied for a job on the way to the game. Cos I did. March 31 was a victorious day.

Thanks to all of you who have sent kind words of sympathy, support and motivation. I feel fortunate to have watched you all power through this process before me. It has given me a lot of confidence.

the wonders of SEPTA

From my perch on the 40 this afternoon I saw a rare species: One O'Malley crossing the Walnut Street bridge. I haven't spotted him since last April or May. Wow. A sight for sore eyes. If I was walking I would have hugged him and it would have been totally awkward and awesome.

Visitors!

I just bade farewell to Sean and Amila, who not only visited, but did so unexpectedly, which is the best.  I'm happy to report that they seem great, and are making the most of their journey to LA.  The other LA.  L. A. ?

More things to read.

Our gal Patrice is also contributing to the Trust's Preservation Nation blog... liked at right too.

and Gabs - I need that good thesis juju. Keep sending it! Tell us more about what life at the landmarks commission is like... I'm curious.

Greetings

Hi everyone. I was really glad to see some recent posts, and sad to hear I missed all the festivities in Philly.
I am living in New York working for the LPC. Work has picked up recently and I am working on a few projects in the most recently designationed historic district, DUMBO in Brooklyn. I talk to Maria frequently and saw her last month in DC. She is doing well working at EHT Traceries. Alexis Casale and I have been bouncing around emails...and Alexis Stephens is MIA - but homefully we will all get together in NY soon. People, if you are visiting the city let me know. would love to see you. I hope every one is having a healthy and happy 2008 thus far. Haha, I am sending you good thesis fibes.
luv, gg

Hey Reagan...

try this? I couldn't find my stuff.

Plotting still sucks

Nope, we haven't gotten anywhere with the plotting. Oh well. It's just annoying. I'm happy to see some posts! I am jealous of those who got together and played before Amila and Sean left. Boston is still cold. I miss Philly, too. I don't have much news to report, although I did get an email through my office saying that Bhawna is joining the New York BCA office, which is where Alexis Stephens is still working? I don't know; she hasn't answered my email.
Oh! News: I may be working at a site in Greece this summer where I worked in 2004 to help them prepare a conservation plan! It seems as though Gordion may come in handy after all. I'm very excited!
AND, did everyone see the most recent Preservation magazine? Our own Patrice Frey is famous! She's in one of the articles and I didn't know she has this big fancy position and title down at the Trust?! Congrats!
That's it for here. You can still keep track of our home improvement progress on our blog. Damn, it's slow going.

Alright, I want to see more updates, too, so it's only fair that I add one...  Still in NOLA, still not sure how long this job will last, and less and less inclined to leave.  I have, however, been continually sick this winter.  Whether this has more to do with weather or lifestyle, I don't know.  And I don't look forward to summer weather.   The dogs are good, but Tucker has a big hole in him, which has been stressful.  For me, at least.  He doesn't seem to care.  He'll be fine.

Any of y'all are welcome any time.  I have a lot of room.  And I've been worming my way into the music scene.  There is some incredible stuff here that, apparently, no one knows about.

Check my blog, which has turned into something I didn't intend, the way that blogs do.
http://1603tac.blogspot.com

Happy Valentine's Day/ Just Because

Hi! I really have nothing new to say, but I figured our posts were getting so lonely that I would do my part to keep the blog going. Reagan, I hope you figured out plotting stuff. I'm afraid I don't have my notes, and it's been almost a month since you requested help! Haha- I hope you're kicking thesis ass, and not the other way around! As for me, I'm still in the DC area, and still missing good ol' Philly. For those of you that have more interesting lives, please let us know how you're doing! Miss you all!

Spoiled!

I used to call February "the dark times" marked by gray skies and foul moods. Well, this year I have beens spoiled rotten by some of my favorite faces! Ionnes and I ate at Dimitri's with Miss Buckley and MandyMoo one Saturday night. And this past weekend Mander organized a Moroccan feast at Marrakesh to celebrate Sarah V's presence in town. Teresa, Mander, her man, Fon, Ellen and I not only got to feast with our fingers but also got to watch Sarah V get a bellydancing lesson. (Methinks she could've taught her host some tricks of the trade, but was too polite to show off all of her moves.) I think Fon has pictures. Amila and Sean's going-away party was the following night, complete with lots of good people, a fireplace, and free furniture. We're all sad to see them go but know that big things are ahead!! It's very exciting. Oh yeah and I'm in a class Patrice is helping to teach.... and I thought I was gonna be so lonely this year. Miss the rest of youse - come visit!! (Because I'm greedy like that.)

Plotting

No, not scheming. Plotting as in printing big. Does anyone still have their notes on the CAD plotting tutorial? I know it sounds so nerdy, but we are having problems with our image quality on our plotter. I remember that there are about a billion different things to check and click for color and image quality. If anyone can help or can send me their notes, that would be awesome!

Reagan

PS - send updates as to where you are and what you're doing! It is so sad to see no posts on the blog. :(

Uncle Sam wants you!

If anyone out there knows worthy preservationists in need of jobs NOW, please tell them.  Apparently we are looking for 3 people immediately.  And when they say immediately, they mean it.  They would probably want you to start the Monday after Thanksgiving.  The work is all about 106, so policy folks or those experienced with determinations of eligibility would be preferred.  The downside is the uncertainty of packing up and moving here without knowing how long it will last.  But it is so, so worth it.  Really.  Really, really.  If anyone is interested or able, get in touch with me and I'll tell you more about the work and why there's no question that anyone who can should do it.  

Bright Lights, Big City

This month the Avenue of the Arts is all lit up pretty like with new light installations on five buildings. Fon, Ellen and I went out last night to check out how South Broad Street looked all illuminated. The installations mix changing projections of artwork and colored LED lights that are programmed to change color and display.
So there we were, three gals out for a Philly adventure, checking out how the Center City District had dressed up the Avenue of the Arts. I guess we were so fresh-faced and chatty, so earnest in our interest (nerd alert) - or we were the first folks the reporters saw - so we were all interviewed by KYW. Laughing and suspicious, we answered. And lo and behold - there we were on Channel 3 last night. (Ellen's brilliance was cruelly cut by those hacks.)
All told - the installation was neat-o but it remains to be seen if the Preservation Alliance feels the same way. They hold easements on many of the buildings and are rumbling with the Center City District over the alterations to the "appearance" of the facades due to the lights... Stay tuned cats and kittens.