FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE:
April 19, 2013
CONTACT: Nancy Finegood, Executive Director
PHONE:
(517) 371-8080
E-MAIL:
finegood@mhpn.org
WEB:
www.mhpn.org
_______________________________________
Michigan Historic Preservation Network and the National Trust for Historic
Preservation announces Detroit Preservation Specialist
Emilie Evans, leaving New York City for a year to take this position, will begin her work in
Detroit on May 6th. Evans is an Adjunct Associate Professor at Columbia University’s
Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation. Most recently, Evans
managed BLDG 92, a new museum and cultural institution at the Brooklyn Navy Yard that
opened in 2011. Evans holds master’s degrees in Historic Preservation and Urban Planning
from Columbia. Evans’ other historic preservation, planning, and oral history projects
include work in Amman, Jordan and New York City and range from a preservation plan for
the monumental McKim, Mead, and White IRT Powerhouse in Manhattan to an in-depth
analysis on rightsizing in Buffalo, New York and Cleveland, Ohio.
The Detroit Preservation Specialist will represent both the Michigan Historic Preservation
Network (MHPN) and the National Trust for Historic Preservation (NTHP) organizations,
providing direct services to support historic preservation related to ongoing rightsizing
efforts. Evans will also work with local partners to incorporate historic preservation into the
Detroit Future plan.
The Preservation Specialist will work with the Michigan State Historic Preservation Office,
Detroit’s city staff, local nonprofit organizations, local preservationists, and other
stakeholders to ensure that plans for vacant and abandoned historic buildings are
accomplished in a thoughtful and participatory way that considers the historic merit of
buildings in neighborhoods and other significant historic resources. This will be
accomplished by increasing the capacity of local preservation-focused organizations,
growing public involvement, strengthening alliances, and expanding collaborative efforts and
preservation infrastructure.
Evans says “I am looking forward to working with the Michigan Historic Preservation
Network and the National Trust for Historic Preservation alongside the communities and
stakeholders of Detroit. There are exciting opportunities to build partnerships and advocate
for the historic built environment of Detroit as a way to maintain neighborhood identity,
strengthen communities, create jobs, and help revitalize the city.”
The historic preservation rightsizing program continues on the success of MHPN and NTHP
efforts in Saginaw and Lansing. The program is supported by the Michigan State Housing
Development Authority and the Michigan State Historic Preservation Office.
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Detroit Preservation Specialist
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Michigan Historic Preservation Network is the statewide preservation organization for
Michigan. It is a nonprofit, membership organization and the recipient of the National Trust
for Historic Preservation Trustees Award for Organizational Excellence and 2007 State
History Award from the Historical Society of Michigan. MHPN partners with the National
Trust for Historic Preservation, the country’s largest private, nonprofit preservation
organization. As partners, both organizations are dedicated to protecting the irreplaceable
and providing leadership, education, advocacy and resources to save Michigan’s diverse
historic places and revitalize communities.
The State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) is financed in part by a grant from the
National Park Service, Department of Interior. The opinions expressed herein do not
necessarily reflect those of the Department of the Interior. The Department of the Interior
prohibits discrimination on its federally funded assistance programs. If you believe you've
been discriminated against please contact the Office of Equal Opportunity, National Park
Service, 1849 C. St. NW, Washington DC 20240.
The SHPO is part of the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA),
which provides financial and technical assistance through public and private partnerships to
create and preserve decent, affordable housing for low- and moderate-income residents and
to engage in community economic development activities to revitalize urban and rural
communities.
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313 E. Grand River Avenue, Lansing, Michigan 48906