“Model Change-Over: A New Era for Historic Preservation in Michigan”

The Michigan Historic Preservation Network announces that its 32^nd Annual Statewide Preservation Conference will take place May 10-12, 2012, in Flint, headquartered at the historic downtown Masonic Temple. 

Plenty of Michigan communities are suffering their share of economic blows.  As the state works to reclaim its fiscal health, leadership is using new methods and proposing different opportunities.  Flint – the home of the nation’s first sit-down strike – is hardly one to sit it out, and preservation is part of its own plan to jumpstart its economic engine.  This efficient redevelopment tool that keeps people in their traditional neighborhoods and downtowns, intensifies use of urban infrastructure, and keeps sprawl in check, appeals to a community that’s always done a lot with a little. 

This year’s conference is not just for Flint and its large, industrialized peers because we are witness to creative and effective model change-overs everywhere as Michiganians rally their knack for moving on, reinventing themselves with little fanfare or the need for much help.  Small and medium communities, rural districts, and large cities alike have been slammed by economic uncertainty, but are finding ways not just to hold their own, but to move forward.  Vacant structures are found on streetscapes everywhere, but one community’s success at reusing buildings inspires its neighbors to do the same.  Everyone is experiencing leaner budgets, loss of government support, and fewer donations, yet tapping creative ways to start filling the gaps. 

The Flint conference will include four tracks.  Track One focuses on the conference theme, exploring the idea of model change-over in the preservation behaviors of Michigan communities.  Track Two looks at the laws, policies, designations, and incentives you need to protect historic resources when they are threatened.  Track Three studies hands-on techniques that make preservation possible no matter what the challenges.  Track Four presents tours of the host community that will inspire you.  Also included are your invitations to the community open house and vendors’ showcase, Saturday sessions for historic district commissioners, and presentation of the MHPN’s annual preservation awards.