What happens when you ask the right questions of the right people? You get great responses, that’s what. Such is the case with the results of the Fall 2009 Survey recently conducted by Preservation Ohio.The answers shared were a treasure trove of information – over 100 narrative answers were shared on various topics, in addition to those filling out only the multiple choice questions. From funding ideas, to partnership ideas, to suggestions for change and improvement, those answering the survey clearly showed their strong interest in empowering Ohio’s statewide preservation and revitalization movements. This past Saturday, Preservation Ohio’s Board of Trustees met and considered this input as it sat out to draft a vision for the coming year.
As promised, some of the answers are included below – including the results to every multiple-choice question. We have included a sampling of narrative answers as well to give you a taste of what was on the minds of Ohioans as they completed the survey - again, some of the questions generated dozens and dozens of narrative responses.
Thank you to everyone who took the time to participate in our survey!
PRESERVATION OHIO FALL SURVEY
In your opinion, what are the greatest threats
to or issues confronting historic preservation and preservation-based downtown
and neighborhood revitalization in Ohio? (Please choose one or more, but no
more than three).
ANSWER PERCENT
Lack of available
financial assistance for renovation 44
Absent of
inconsistently applied local regulations 38
Lack of awareness
about the benefits of historic preservation 60
Aggressiveness of and
political clout of the development community 22
Lack of a strong
statewide preservation non-profit organization 16
Confusion about costs
of renovation versus replacement 33
Lack of awareness
about the relationship between preservation and 42
sustainable
development
Other:
·
The
general state of economy and business in Ohio
·
Demolition
policies
·
Duplication
by having 2 preservation statewide groups causes confusion
·
Excessive
demolition because of “blight”
· Lack of public ethic toward history, preservation or heritage
Which area of preservation is of particular interest to you?
Please choose as many answers as apply.
Historic house or building renovation and
restoration 69
Local preservation organizations and efforts 64
Supporting preservation and revitalization on a
statewide basis 36
Revitalization of Ohio downtowns 73
Promotion of heritage tourism – locally, regionally
or statewide 53
Revitalization of Ohio’s traditional neighborhoods 55
Other:
·
Save
Over-the-Rhine!
·
Historic
schools – preservation and reuse as something new
·
Historic
school renovation for continued use
·
Presentation
of preservation technology for homeowner
· Historic farmland preservation
Please indicate the geographical area of Ohio in which you live:
Northeast 36
Northwest 9
Central 31
Southeast 4
Southwest 20
In your opinion, what are the primary
opportunities or services that a statewide preservation organization needs to
address? Please choose no more than three answers.
Creating opportunities for local
preservationists to connect for advice and support 50
Providing technical advice 33
Providing information
on funding 58
Assistance with local advocacy 40
Help with downtown revitalization 33
Help with neighborhood revitalization 38
Organizational development assistance 15
Local downtown and preservation program
management services 25
Other:
·
Advocacy in Columbus at the state level
·
All of the above
·
Continued educational use of Ohio’s historic schools
·
Lobbying state for preservation dollars
How can Preservation Ohio, as a statewide
preservation organization, better serve you and your community? With what
programs or services?
·
Encouraging Springfield
in their efforts to save and rehab our historical buildings and neighborhoods
rather than their typical approach of destroy and "put up a parking
lot." We need to save Memorial Hall and the old Springfield South High
School buildings.
·
Help Cincinnati overturn its aggressive, anti-preservation demolition
policies; help promote Cincinnati's preservation bargains on a national level.
·
I think it needs to
support the local groups by lobbying and funding and then technical support.
·
Provide sources or
support for funding or financing for private individuals to engage in
preservation efforts. Or, serve as a central organization to assist individuals
with acquiring said financing.
·
Local advocacy and
offering alternative development strategies to demolition.
·
Information on grants and
lobbying at the state level, that no property with a historical designation
could be destroyed with private money
·
I think Preservation Ohio
can better serve the communities of Ohio by informing citizens of the benefits
of preservation. Not many people today know how much preserving our history can
help us prepare for the future.
·
Downtown revitalization and incentives
·
Get the word out to communities that
help IS available!
·
I believe that there
should be more public awareness about the importance of preservation/restoration.
·
Directing us to
appropriate tools and educating us about the processes we may undertake.
·
More funding and tax
incentives to preserve rather than tear down and build new, inferior
structures.
·
Highlight sources of
funding & grant opportunities.
·
Local governments need
educated on long range benefits to the local communities by preserving our
heritage for future generations and adaptive reuse of historic structures and
their positive impact to the local economy including their architectural
appeal.
·
Merge with Heritage Ohio
and engage a wider audience through effective planning and communications.
·
Serve as central
information clearing house.
·
By helping remove the
stereo-typical view that historic schools can not be renovated to provide a
21st century education.
·
Merge with Heritage Ohio.
·
Preservation Ohio is
already doing a good job; please continue stoking the enthusiasm of the
existing preservation community, and welcoming/encouraging future Ohio
preservationists.
·
We need greater advocacy
on Preservation and a stop to demolition in our neighborhoods.
Are you currently, or have you been a member of
Preservation Ohio (or the Ohio Preservation Alliance) within the past 5 years? (40 answers, 15 skipped).
Yes 25
No 75
Other:
·
I just receive the
e-mails as well as read the articles on the website.
·
Our organization belongs.
. Will join shortly; however,
currently only involved from a distance via the Internet.
Like many non-profit fields, supporters of historic preservation and preservation-based revitalization continue to be influenced by how they were made aware of the importance of historic resources. One typical avenue toward that awareness is the threat of demolition of an important local landmark, a place that contributes to a community’s sense of place – or, as noted urban advocate Ed McMahon calls them, “places of the heart.” When these demolition crises arrive, individuals and organizations mobilize and seek to influence owners to consider alternative paths. If that is unsuccessful, attention often shifts to encouraging local government officials to enact protections for historic resources.