BURLINGTON — The Burlington Planning Department will host a seminar on Saturday, May 11, at 9 a.m., focusing on how historic preservation can have positive economic and cultural impacts.
This free seminar will be held at Burlington Beer Works in historic downtown. Lunch will be provided. Attendees must register by Wednesday, May 1, by emailing bfsmith@burlingtonnc.gov.
The seminar is being paid for with a state grant for historic preservation education.
Donovan D. Rypkema, principal of PlaceEconomics, a Washington, D.C.-based real estate and economic development consulting firm, will speak about the economic impacts of historic preservation. He also teaches a course on the economics of historic preservation at the University of Pennsylvania.
James Shields, the manager of the African American Cultural Arts and History Center in Burlington, will speak about historic preservation in underserved communities. His community involvement includes being chairman of the board for Snow Camp Historical Society, and he currently serves as vice president of the Piedmont Blues Preservation Society.
Tracy Schmidt, the general manager of Burlington Beer Works, will speak about the renovation of the building that houses the restaurant and about the value that the historic character of downtown brings to the city’s businesses.
For more information about the seminar, email bfsmith@burlingtonnc.gov.
Seminar schedule:
- 9-9:30 a.m.: Attendee check-in.
- 9:30-10:45 a.m.: Economic studies: Donovan Rypkema, PlaceEconomics.
- 11 a.m.-12:15 p.m.: Underserved communities: James Shields, African American Cultural Arts and History Center.
- 12:15-1:15 p.m.: Lunch at Burlington Beer Works.
- 1:15-1:45 p.m.: Tracy Schmidt, Burlington Beer Works.
- 2-3 p.m.: Historic preservation panel.
- 3-4 p.m.: Wrap up.
