Preserving public buildings is a sound economic strategy, as the Historic Resources Committee and Public Architects PIAs will demonstrate at their March 8-10 "Public Architecture + Historic Preservation + Private Enterprise = Urban Revitalization" conference.

The conference, at the AIA headquarters building in Washington, D.C., will address public-private collaboration in national and local projects; the roles of public architects, historic preservationists, urban designers, planners, and developers in urban revitalization; and best practices to pursue revitalization opportunities. "Preserving public buildings is a true team effort," said Robert Loversidge, AIA, chair of the Historic Resources Committee PIA and co-chair of the conference. "We will be taking a close look at how architects and others in the public and private sector work together on projects like these."

A number of sessions will tackle the revitalization of historic public buildings, including Union Station in Tacoma, Wash.; Golden Gate National Recreation Area in San Francisco; and the Old Post Office Pavilion in Washington, D.C. "Preserving public buildings leads to major urban revitalization," said Subrata Basu, AIA, chair of the Public Architects PIA and co-chair of the conference. "We have a diverse range of speakers from federal agencies, local agencies, and the private sector who will speak about the challenges and the rewards."

Diverse topics

Financial packages: Sharon Park, FAIA, of the National Park Service, and Elizabeth Gibson of the General Services Administration will discuss the use of federal historic preservation tax incentives and other financial packages. They will review financial incentives, including federal tax credits, state tax credits, city incentives, TIFs, and other packages available for rehabilitating historic buildings.

D.C. plans: The National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) will discuss its "Extending the Legacy: Planning America's Capital for the 21st Century." plan for Washington's monumental core. The plan preserves the historic character and open space of the Mall and its adjacent corridors while accommodating growth and new development.

Security: NCPC will also discuss its new security plan, "Designing for Security in the Nation's Capital." The Pennsylvania Avenue Development Corporation will touch on security issues during its presentation about its 20-year effort to revitalize "America's Main Street."

The conference also will offer a joint reception with the Specifications and Building Technology PIA's "Monumental Specifications: A Walking Workshop of the Memorials in Washington, D.C." conference and a walking tour of the Pennsylvania Avenue corridor redevelopment.

Copyright 2002 The American Institute of Architects. All rights reserved.