Coffee Break: Architectural heritage represents finite resource

The momentum is building.

May 14-20 is distinguished as Preservation Week 2000 by the National Trust for Historic Preservation., local organizations devoted to the cause of revitalizing old Springfield gathered to share dinner and ideas May 8 at historic Christ Episcopal Church, 601 E. Walnut.

Sponsored by Preservation Springfield, the Preservation Potluck brought together members of the Midtown, West Central and Woodland Heights neighborhood associations, the Commercial Club, Walnut Street Merchants Association, Greene County Historic Sites Board, Springfield Landmarks Board, the Gillioz Theater, Heritage Tourism of the Ozarks, Historic Preservation of Springfield/Greene County and the city's Department of Planning and Development.

I attended the event as a resident of the west central neighborhood.

Councilman Russell Rhodes read a mayoral proclamation declaring the week of May 14-20 Preservation Week in the city of Springfield. Afterward, representatives of each group spoke about their purpose, as well as their personal dreams for Springfield. Common goals quickly emerged:

To see Springfield become a model for historic preservation.

To clean up and stabilize deteriorated older neighborhoods.

For the community to become aware of the value of preservation and to recognize that its historic properties are a finite resource: once gone, they are gone forever.

To see Commercial Street and downtown become destinations for the restored neighborhoods around them.

To never again see beautiful old homes or historic structures such as the Colonial Hotel torn down.

To preserve the culture and history of the community.

No matter the affiliation, those attending shared a common bond: We live and work in old Springfield because this is where we want to be. Given the choice between old and new, it is the old that charms and attracts us. And preserving and giving new life to our architectural heritage is the cause that rallies us.

Preservation does not mandate putting historic structures under a bell jar with a sign saying "look but don't touch." Instead, we want to celebrate and revel in the tastes and textures of other ages. And while approaches may differ from regimented, federal-standard historic restoration to adaptive reuse and modernization for all of us it is a hands-on labor of love.

Regardless of affiliation, a majority of those attending the potluck were residents of old neighborhoods. And residential revitalization, like new residential development, is a key factor in the success of adjacent commercial endeavors.

Paula Ringer, Midtown resident and member of the Landmarks Board and Preservation Springfield, reiterated the advice of Preservation North Carolina Executive Director Myrick Howard, who spoke at Missouri Alliance for Historic Preservation's annual statewide conference.

"What you need to do is develop the residential around the core," she said. "The revitalization of downtown will happen faster if the neighborhood is revitalized first. (Those residents) are going to support the core. That's as important as it is to develop the commercial."

Ringer added that Realtors are a vital piece of the puzzle. She is hoping to create a Realtor education program modeled on that of Preservation Dallas. The program would educate Realtors on selling historic properties, as well as incentives, rehabilitation programs and other resources for clients interested in historic properties, enhancing the value of Realtors' services to their clients, she said.