Preservation Vision: New York City

Minerva Partners is coordinating a conversation about the future of preservation in New York with its Preservation Vision: NYC project. You are invited to lend your voice to this exchange.

In order to articulate the positive prospects for historic preservation’s contribution to New York City in 2030, a year-long initiative called Preservation Vision: Planning for the Future of Preservation in New York City launched in January 2008. An online survey for the professional community is part of the first phase of this project and is the primary opportunity for anyone with an interest in historic preservation to contribute—interested citizens, those working directly in historic preservation, and those working in all allied fields (planning, housing, community development, the environment, etc.) More than 350 stakeholders in the five boroughs responded with their observations and insights before the 15 April deadline. Subsequent phases may include round table discussion groups, meetings, and opportunities for additional public comment.

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The project will result in a final report highlighting ideas gleaned from the process to assist the historic preservation profession expand its effectiveness over the next twenty years. For more information please contact Minerva partner Kirstin Sechler or visit the project's website here.

Fulton Mall, Brooklyn

Amidst the city's broad redevelopment plan for downtown Brooklyn," Fulton Mall: New Strategies for Preservation and Planning" provided ideas for securing the future of Fulton Mall as a vital public place. Minerva Partners is collaborating with the Pratt Center to bring historic preservation, urban planning, ethnography, community cultural development, and economic development strategies together and coordinate them. The project served to identify economic opportunities, preserve the most important historical resources, and provide unique retail for surrounding communities. This project was launched with the generous support of the J.M. Kaplan Fund and the New York Community Trust. An executive summary of the most recent project report can be found here.

Fulton

New Orleans "Roof Aid" project

To provide affordable protection for low-income, historic houses not eligible for the federal tarping program, Minerva Partners formed a consortium of local, national and international groups. The result was Project Roof Aid, designed to support the volunteer roofing teams that installed tarps and completed minor repairs on non-qualifying structures.

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The project focused on the Holy Cross section of New Orleans' Lower Ninth Ward. This low to middle-income neighborhood is a national and local historic district and its residents are dedicated to rebuilding. The Louisiana Landmarks Society, a 501c3 organization based in New Orleans, coordinated this project locally. Other institutional partners included: The Preservation Resource Center of New Orleans, The New Orleans Historic District Landmarks Commission, and Mercy Corps International.

For more information please contact Kirstin Sechler.