The 2014 Statewide Preservation Conference theme is: FILL IN THE BLANK: Defining Preservation, A New York Statewide Conference. Join us in Rochester as we seek to expand the traditional definitions of preservation and to reach new audiences by challenging some of the common misconceptions about the field. We want to know what preservation means to you and what it could mean to others who are working to better their communities. So, join us in April to help Fill in the Blank.

Leading up to the Conference we’re featuring a Session of the Week to highlight one of our many sessions that are helping to broaden the definition of the field of preservation.

This week we’re featuring a brand new addition to the Preservation Conference for 2014; Saturday Field Sessions! Now get more great speakers for one price, plus exclusive tour opportunities. If you can’t join us for the Conference on Friday April 25th, you can still purchase a Saturday only ticket for only $45, which includes your choice of Field Sessions and our esteemed Breakfast Speaker, Ed McMahon on The Dollars and Sense of Preserving Community Character.

Renowned author and authority on sustainable development, Ed McMahon, will describe how communities can protect their most valuable assets—the vibrant downtowns, historic buildings, landscapes, and viewsheds that contribute to the historic character that attracts visitors, residents, and investors alike. The “Dollars and Sense of Preserving Community Character” will address downtowns and the transformation of the strip, and include how communities can grow without destroying their unique character. His talk will touch on historic preservation, new design, green space, community gateways and how small towns can be successful in a rapidly changing world.

After breakfast it’s time to head out into the city for your chosen field sessions. Here’s a taste of what you could experience firsthand!

Embracing Mid-Century Modern – Adaptive Re-Use of a 1960s Downtown Commercial Building, with Bero Architecture’s Katie Eggers Comeau and John Page
This session is a case study highlighting the successful adaptive reuse of the Central Trust Building.

The project began with a long-vacant office/bank building and a development team with a vision of rehabilitating it using rehabilitation tax credits – despite the fact that SHPO was initially not convinced this unassuming Mid-Century Modern building was eligible for the National Register.

Participants will tour the public spaces and a private apartment as the presenters describe how the development team, architects, and SHPO worked together to find solutions to ensure successful completion of the project.

Creating Sustainable Identity: The GardenAerial Project, with Michael A. Philipson, Benjamin Woelk, Maranne McDade Clay of Friends of the GardenAerial, and Christopher Brandt of Bero Architecture, PLLC
The city of Rochester is at a crossroads. The old positioning of the city is based on outmoded models of large corporate entities determining future paths. New positioning will require a re-thinking of Rochester itself and how we might get there through a change in perspective.

Friends of the GardenAerial (FoGA) will detail the varied work involved in the early stage implementation of the envisioning, fundraising, preservation, and development of partnerships that have led to the Friends of the GardenAerial’s early success in reclaiming public use and access of the High Falls Heritage Area, an urban historic cultural landscape in downtown Rochester, New York.

Planning the Future of a Historic Landscape: The Master Plan for Genesee Valley Park West, with Zakery D. Steele of Bayer Landscape Architecture, PLLC and Katie Eggers Comeau of Bero Architecture, PLLC
Frederick Law Olmsted declared the land that would become Genesee Valley Park an “almost ideal” pastoral park site – yet the factors that made the land appealing also made it a desirable location for later incompatible development.

This session will present the master plan process currently underway in Genesee Valley Park West as a case study in balancing historic integrity with modern needs of a regional-scale recreation park.

The case study provides an example of how Olmsted’s legacy is faring in present-day Rochester, and how Olmsted’s broad-minded principles can continue to provide inspiration in addressing today’s challenges.

Case Study: How to Create and Develop a Historic Building, with Peter R. Wehner and Christopher Montante of Passero Associates, and preservation consultant, Saralinda Hooker
This session will demonstrate how to take an old building and create a historically correct development project.  The Bridge Square project will be used as an example project and will review the process and lessons learned.

Bridge Square is an urban redevelopment project into a mixed use commercial building.  Issues discussed and topics covered will include: finding the right development mix; how to sensitively design a historic rehab project; hiring the right consultants; the SHPO approval process; tax credit financing options; dealing with IDA’s; and NYSERDA rebates and dealing with the consolidated funding application. Best of all, participants will enjoy a behind-the-scenes tour of this unique and exciting rehab project in downtown Rochester.

A Slice of the Wedge: Revitalizing Rochester’s South Wedge Neighborhood, with Robert Boyd
This session will literally walk participants through the revitalization of Rochester’s eclectic South Wedge neighborhood.

Participants will see firsthand how streetscape improvements, public art, historic rehab, sensitive modern infill, the investment of local businesses, and the involvement of an active and engaged citizenry, have combined to fuel the recent and ongoing revitalization of one of Rochester’s most sought-after neighborhoods. Participants will also see how these elements have created a unique sense of place and identify for the South Wedge, making it an appealing and economically viable neighborhood.

We hope you can join us on Saturday April 25, especially if you are not able to attend the full Conference on Friday, for this exciting day of speakers and field sessions!

>>Click here to register now!

>>Click here to learn about other exciting session offerings.

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