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April 3, 2013
Janet Kreger, MHPN Conference Co-Manager
734-222-9310
kregerj1981@att.net
Nancy Finegood, Executive Director
(517) 371-8080
finegood@mhpn.org
MHPN Annual 33rd Annual Conference:
A Closer Look at Track 2 Sessions
The Michigan Historic Preservation Network’s (MHPN) 33rd Annual Conference will be held in
Marquette, May 8 through May 11, 2012. This year’s theme, “Ingredients of Place,” is one that
resonates in Marquette, which was named a Distinctive Destination by the National Trust for Historic
Preservation in 2010.
Headquartered at the Don H. Bottum University Center at Northern Michigan University, the
conference is divided into five tracks, including one on the Theme, a track on Historic Preservation
Information, the third track covers Hands-On Skills, the fourth provides a look at the host community
through a selection of Tours, and this year a fifth track featuring sessions by our Partners, the
Michigan Barn Preservation Network and the Office of the State Archaeologist. Track 2, Information
(what you need to know to make preservation work), takes place on both Thursday and Friday during
the conference. A look at the sessions comprising the track is presented below.
The first session, “MHPN and NTHP Outreach, Advocacy, Development and Assessment Services of
the Michigan Historic Preservation Network and National Trust for Historic Preservation," will be held
Thursday, May 9th, from 10:45 a.m. - 12:00 noon, showcases four of MHPN’s talented staff. Leading
the team is Nancy M. Finegood, MHPN Executive Director, along with MHPN/National Trust for
Historic Preservation (NTHP) Field Representatives Ellen Thackery (who works in Southeast
Michigan) and Greater Michigan Amanda Reintjes. MHPN/NTHP Preservation Specialist, Brenna
Gary Scheuren, MHPN Programs Director, completes the team. These four speakers will provide
examples of how the MHPN and NTHP work in collaboration to provide outreach, advocacy, and
development services around Michigan. And, how it can now help communities assess their
preservation activities so that improvements are measurable.
The second session, “Preserving Place and Visioning for the Future of Calumet’s Cultural Landscape”
will be held Thursday, May 9th, 1:45 to 3:00 p.m. and examines the impact on the landscape since
the copper mining industry ended in 1968 while attempting to preserve the cultural heritage. The
session looks at how rehabilitation of key buildings and the strengthening of a sense of place have
enhanced the appeal of Calumet as a community. Three speakers address different aspects of the
issue, including Brenda W. Williams, ASLA, Associate and Preservation Landscape Architect, Quinn
Evans Architects, Madison, Wisconsin; Lindsey M. Pickornik, Architectural Technician and Jennifer
Henriksen, AIA, Historical Architect, both with Quinn Evans Architects, Ann Arbor.
The third session, “Strange Bedfellows or Satisfied Partners: How EMU’s Historic Preservation
Program and the Leelanau Conservancy Formed a Unique Placemaking Partnership,” will be held
Thursday, May 9th, from 3:15 to 5:00 p.m. Since 2009 EMU’s Historic Preservation Program and the
Leelanau Conservancy have collaborated on preserving the historic Campbell-DeYoung Farmstead in
the Conservancy’s DeYoung Natural Area. The session looks at the unlikely alliance of graduate
students, Conservancy volunteers and staff, EMU faculty, an historian, a museum curator,
preservation architects and tradespeople have worked to create the effective partnership.
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MHPN “Ingredients of Place”
Page 2 of 3
The session features Ted J. Ligibel, PhD, Director Historic Preservation Program, EMU, Ypsilanti;
Jeněe Rowe, Director of Conservancy Owned Lands, The Leelanau Conservancy, Leland; Nancy E.
Villa Bryk, Assistant Professor, Graduate Program in Historic Preservation, EMU; Dan Bonenberger,
Assistant Professor, Historic Preservation Program , EMU; and Steven Stier, MA, Owner,
Reconstruction, East Lansing.
Friday sessions begin with “Incentives for Preservation Project.” The two part session will be held,
respectively, from 9 to 10:30 a.m. and from 10:45 to noon. Federal tax credits for historic
rehabilitation and federal new markets tax credits for investment in low income areas remain key
sources of financing for historic preservation. Additionally, the Governor’s “Community Reinvestment
Program” is now in its second year of providing appropriations. The sessions look at the competitive
program and it benefits, its selection criteria, and the first preservation projects chosen. Find out the
power of integrating the program with other incentives to help you secure conventional financing and
make your project a reality. A case study looks at the financial projects at the heart of any transaction
and shares before-and-after photos that inspire us to work through the hard parts! Speaking during
these sessions are: David Schon, a partner in Nixon Peabody's syndication group, whose practice
areas include historic rehabilitation tax credits and syndication; Robbert McKay, Historical Architect at
the Michigan State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), where he is responsible for administration of
the Federal Rehabilitation Tax Incentives; Matthew Kosciow, CPA, Senior Tax Manager, Plante &
Moran, PLLC, Auburn Hills; and Richard Hosey, Senior Vice President and Senior Originator for Tax
Credit Investments based in Bank of America’s Detroit office.
The third Track 2 session on Friday, “A Landscape Triumphs: The Quiet Victory of the Port Oneida
Rural Historic District.” Part of Michigan’s Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, this district of
picturesque farmsteads. Learn about the unique partnership between the National Park Service, arts
associations, non-profits, and the residents to protect the relict agricultural landscape, including
orchards, fields, and fragile buildings. Presenting this intriguing story will be Marla McEnaney,
Regional Historical Landscape Architect, National Park Service, Midwest Regional Office, Marquette,
and Susan Pocklington, Director, Preserve Historic Sleeping Bear, Empire.
The final Track 3 session, “Back to Life: How Abandoned Buildings in Escanaba and Sault Ste. Marie
Become New Placemaking Assets” will be held Friday, May 11th from 3:45 to 5:00 p.m. This session
features two newly restored buildings in the Upper Peninsula, the Lofts on Ludington – a former
brewery - in Escanaba and Park Place City Center – a bank and Masonic Temple - in Sault Ste.
Marie. Dating from the early 20th century, these once abandoned buildings had rich community
connections and considerable architectural value. The interesting stories of their restoration and
adaptive reuse which earned them each a 2012 Governor Award for Historic Preservation will be
presented by Matthew Sviland, Developer/President Swanee, Inc., Escanaba and Lisa M. Wrate, AIA,
NCARB, U.P. Engineers & Architects, Ishpeming.
To learn about the full conference, find out which sessions are approved for AICP credit or may
qualify for AIA credit, or learn which activities are ticketed, download the brochure at
http://www.mhpn.org/?page_id=154 or request one at admin@mhpn.org or (517) 371-8080. Costs
range from $70-$390. There are special member benefits (on-the-spot membership is available on
the registration form), single-day pricing, reductions for full-time students, and low Saturday prices.
The MHPN has not raised the conference’s price since 2008.
***
The MHPN is Michigan’s statewide preservation organization and the advocacy and
resource group for preservationists from all backgrounds. Founded in 1981, the MHPN has
hosted this annual educational conference every year since it was founded, moving it
around the state to reach more and more people each year. For more information about
MHPN, please visit our website at: www.mhpn.org.
313 E. Grand River Avenue, Lansing, Michigan 48906