Historic Preservation is now playing a role in the “green” movement. Carl Elefante’s speech at PNC’s conference got me hooked and participating in Earth Day at the Schiele Museum intensified my interest in the topic. Linking preservation to the protection of the environment just makes good sense on a number of fronts. I’d like to highlight some environmental benefits of preservation and rehabilitation as noted in a white paper “Making the Case: Historic Preservation as Sustainable Development,” prepared by Patrice Frey. Below are some points made in the paper:

Rehabbing buildings reduces the need for new materials, preserving embodied energy. Energy already expended in the extracting, processing, manufacturing, transporting and assembling building materials, reducing demand for new materials and waste.

Preserving buildings reduces wastes in landfills. Demolition of housing produces and average of 115 pounds of waste per square foot while demolition of commercial buildings generates about 155 pounds of waste per square foot.

Preservation reduces sprawl by reducing pressure for development on the urban fringe, reducing loss of natural habitat, reliance on autos and development of environmentally and costly infrastructure.

Studies show that some historic buildings are more energy efficient than more recently constructed buildings.

Retaining historic windows is often more environmentally friendly than replacement with new thermally resistant windows. There is the opinion that they are named replacement window for a reason, you’ll replace them in about 10-12 years.

It is shown that historic preservation spurs economic development and numerous studies indicate that preservation serves as a catalyst for additional investment.

Dollar for dollar, preservation creates more jobs than new construction, a Rypkema theme.

Historic resources can increase economic competitiveness, helping create a dynamic environment that draws highly skilled workers. Richard Florida speaks of this in his book “The Rise of the Creative Class,” a favorite of mine.

Historic buildings are small business friendly, offering more affordable rents and a good match for the space needs of small business.

Preservation being more labor intensive promotes service-based economic development, creating more growth than new construction.

Improving the energy efficiency of historic buildings makes them more economically sustainable to operate and can be sensitive to the historic fabric.

Preservation likely generates higher wage employment since it requires specialized skills.

Preservation maintains cultural resources and cultural diversity—our “cultural ecosystems.”

Preservation of place promotes psychological well being, essential to our individual and collective identities.

Preservation promotes social equity, including all stakeholders in the planning process.

Preservation encourages social interaction, helping to instill a sense of belonging, trust and civic engagement.

Historic communities are valued for their quality of life. The New Urbanism qualities of neighborhood and design are embedded in historic communities nationwide—old Urbanism.

The media today are really focused on “green” and the protection of the environment. Lately I’ve seen much advertising touting environmentally friendly themes. I think it could best be said by the bumper sticker Preservation North Carolina has for sale HISTORIC PRESERVATION THE ULTIMATE RECYCLING.

Gastonia will soon be seeing considerable changes to some of the more significant Downtown buildings. The Hassani buildings and adjacent key properties, contributing to the National Register District, are the first phase of a multi-phased redevelopment project that is planned by Dr. & Mrs. Charles Hutchins of CHH Properties, L.P. and Nathan Kirby, managing partner of Little Red Hen Development.

According to the Downtown National Register Historic District survey the Hassani property is a Moderne-style cast stone paneled structure with horizontal banding, and the interior has two exposed bowstring truss roofs supported by a center brick load-bearing wall. The corner building at Main and South, formerly the Children’s Shop, was the location of the 2003 Jazz on Main event, sponsored in part by Dr. and Mrs. Hutchins. Dr. and Mrs. Hutchins had the Lawyers’ Building and the Commercial Building placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1985.

Discussions between Hutchins and Kirby have resulted in a signed agreement that brings tenants and Phase 1 financing to the table. The partnership’s Phase 1, 2 and 3 plans include retail/restaurant, office and upper floor residential development. The partners are excited about the potential of the planned rehab of these historic structures.

Phase 1 will include demolition of the Pushpa Shop to expose the ornate western wall of the Lawyers’ Building and provide a courtyard, which will be shared by the adjacent bowstring building and the Lawyers’ Building. The planned Phase 2 will consist of the Commercial Building, and Phase 3 will involve development of the Lawyers’ Building and the adjacent vacant lot extending to the Gaston County Tax Office. The sequence may change as the tenant situation demands.

The Bottle Shoppe has signed a letter of intent and will specialize in fine wine and international beer will be located at 192 West Main Avenue, formerly the Children’s Shop.

For further information regarding this project or to discuss leasing options and availability contact Nathan Kirby at 704.898.6664.

Keep an eye on this exciting development as it unfolds.

Check out the Gazette article on-line at: http://www.gastongazette.com/news/kirby_14479___article.html/partnership_building.html

Check out the great article that appears in todays Charlotte Observer, The Next Big Thing, by Doug Smith, http://www.charlotte.com/485/story/263444.html , featuring The Standard on South Street.

From a satisfied customer:

Katy-Did Antiques on Main have been a business for awhile. This past weekend Amy and I needed to shop for various items for her new home.
WOW!!! I was taken through a maze of hallways and rooms filled with wonderful things. We found everything we needed.
If you haven’t been down, go for a visit. Our neighbors Kathy & Dennis own this store and live in the “hood”. Super nice folks.
c

The Voltage Brothers will be performing Thursday, 24 August 2007 at the Rotary Centennial Pavilion, 6-9 p.m. Come out and enjoy a great mix of music, R&B to beach. Concert is free, food and beverage vendors on site. NO COOLERS PLEASE!

Tabatha Wardle, VP of Piedmont Claims Processing, LLC & Practice Management has relocated to Downtown Gastonia. The company is leasing upper floor office space at 251 W. Main Avenue. The office adds approximately 6-8 employees to the Downtown daytime population.

Also, Robert and Sandra McAlister have purchased Isaac Simpsons property at 356 W. Franklin Boulevard and have opened a Cricket cell phone store at this location. The property has undergone some renovation prior to Cricket occupying the space. Reid James, Attorney has purcahsed 125 E. Main Avenue and now has his law practice at this location.

In updating stats on property sales, to date 2007 has realized eight properties sold with a value totaling approximately $1.469 million of Downtown property, all to the private sector. This does not include the Bits & Pieces building since this property has yet to close.

Hope to see everyone at Downtown Alive tomorrow featuring the Fantastic Shakers, sponsored by the United Way, kicking off their fund drive.

Brian J. Borne, CMSM, Executive Director of Gastonia Downtown Development Corporation, has been named Vice President, Technical Assistance of the board for the North Carolina Downtown Development Association (NCDDA). Borne has been Executive Director of GDDC for almost six years. Prior to his appointment as GDDC’s executive director Borne served as director to Main Street revitalization organizations in Paragould, AR and Houma, LA. Borne is a graduate of the National Main Street Certification Institute and holds an MBA from Nichols State University and a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture from LSU with a focus on urban and recreation planning. Borne and his wife Tory reside downtown in the historic York-Chester neighborhood.