Sometimes the best thing a good blog can do is to refer our readers to a well-written story in another medium that lays out a unique perspective on some aspect of Ohio preservation and preservation-based revitalization.

With that in mind, we recommend to you the series in today’s Columbus Dispatch for your reading -- entitled “Main Street Holidays.”  In it, Dispatch writers profile visits to four Central Ohio downtown areas -- Columbus, Westerville, Grove City and Delaware, where they spoke to merchants experiencing the effects of recession at the worst possible time.  The Christmas season typically accounts for at least 20% of a retailer’s annual sales, and for small-town merchants, that percentage is often much higher.  These vignettes suggest that while the struggle is real, that there is nevertheless still optimism in many corners of Main Street Ohio.

Photo: Bun's Restaurant, Downtown Delaware - OZinOH/Creative Commons License

Best estimates place the number of localities in Ohio with local design review or historic preservation ordinances at or about 100.  Of these, some 46 are Certified Local Governments, meaning that they have a preservation program in place that meets criteria set forth by federal law, and entitling them to grants issued annually through the Ohio Historic Preservation Office.

One key component of any effective local preservation-based ordinance is a provision dealing with demolition of buildings with historic integrity.  Obviously, demolition is irreversible, and as a result one would think that it would be at least highly discouraged, and at best prohibited absent a showing of extreme economic hardship.  At the same time, demolition is sometimes seen as a bellwether issue for property rights advocates -- as the ultimate in the expression of one’s ability to do as one would like with one’s own real property.

This issue has flavored recent discussion the inner Columbus community of Upper Arlington, which is still working toward the creation of an ordinance to provide some sort of protection against “teardowns” -- an epidemic so prevalent across the country that it has drawn substantial attention from the National Trust for Historic Preservation.  In Upper Arlington, the proposed ordinance imposes a six-month mandatory waiting period before a structure may be demolished.  In addition to valid concerns about making the ordinance as objective as possible, and erroneous complaints such as the contention that the ordinance would decrease property values (which runs contrary to almost every study conducted of local protection for historic resources), the property rights issue has arisen.  Because this is a “delay,” however, and not a total prohibition against demolition, task force members state that no property rights would be affected.

Many local ordinances have similar provisions, with various periods of delay, as the primary means of providing protection.  Other ordinances take a different path.  In Tiffin, the local design review ordinance mandates that the local Architectural Board of Review to decline a Certificate of Appropriateness if it finds, after good faith discussions with the property owner about alternatives, that the action would have a negative impact on the district.  This denial is of course subject to an appeal process, consistent with the rights of due process.

It is important to remember in the conversation over property rights and demolition that from the outset, that the concept of property ownership in America has involved both rights and responsibilities.  Effective local ordinances seek to provide a proper balance between the two.

Photo: Dystopos/Creative Commons License

Yes, it is some time away --- but just to make sure, jot down next March 3 on your calendar to join us for Statehood Day 2009.

Representatives from statewide history, preservation and preservation-based revitalization organizations met in Columbus this past Wednesday to advance the planning process for the coming year's event - the fourth consecutive year that it will be held.  In  addition to a keynote address by Ohio State football coach Jim Tressel, whose mother was actively involved in the Ohio Association of Historical Societies and Museums, the event will include the traditional group meetings with members of the Ohio General Assembly.  Together, attendees advance the positive message that "History Works!" for Ohio in advancing not only sustainable economic development, but also improving the quality of life.

Click here to access the Statehood Day 2009 page on the website of the Ohio Historical Society, and be certain to stay tuned for additional information.

There’s a saying that Columbus is every Ohioan’s second hometown – it’s a place we know well, and to which we feel a certain draw.  The last part of 2008 has brought several preservation-related stories to our attention from Ohio’s Capital City – most positive, and others casting a bit of a shadow for the future.  Here’s a quick round-up:

In late October, German Village Society Interim Executive Director Jody Graichen penned an interesting look at the guidelines governing exterior renovation and restoration projects in the Village.  In her article, Graichen points out the similarities and differences between German Village’s guidelines and standards used in preservation ordinances in places like Key West and Boston.

Its holiday time in Olde Towne East, that part of Columbus that stretches to the south of East Broad Street as it ventures east of Downtown.  Amazingly, we’re right around the corner from the Olde Towne East Neighborhood Association “Homes for the Holidays” tour.  Click here for details on the event.

This past week, the City of Columbus announced plans to demolish several of the city’s older public housing projects, including Poindexter Village, the city’s oldest.  Poindexter Village was constructed beginning in 1940, with a groundbreaking presided over by none other than President Franklin D. Roosevelt; it is apparently scheduled to be vacated between 2011 and 2013.

Marburn Homeowners Association members are attempting to save a Depression-era Tudor Revival House along Olentangy River Road in Columbus – and thereby maintain the characteristics of their neighborhood.  The house, whose out-of-state owner has stated that has been unable to sell the property as a residence, is scheduled to be demolished for a new medical office building.  This past week, the Columbus Development Commission tabled the office building plans, agreeing with activists that the plan as submitted would have a long-term negative impact on the area.

It was a festive occasion earlier this month when the Columbus Landmarks Foundation’s 2008 Preservation Awards recipients were named and celebrated.  The coveted James B. Recchie Design Award for 2008 was presented to Community Properties of Ohio Revitalization, representing some 200 renovated residential properties across the city.  Click here for coverage of the event and a list of award winners.

Lastly, it was again disappointing news as the economic crisis hits governmental services in Columbus.  As covered in a previous MyHometownOhio story, the city’s Historic Preservation Office has been hit by staff cuts; Mayor Coleman’s proposed 2009 budget further reduces the staff to 3 full-time equivalent employees.

Photo: Downtown Columbus - OhioCapCity/Creative Commons License

The photograph to the right is a view of downtown Springfield taken from the Preservation Ohio office located on the fourth floor of the MacAdams Building on East High Street.  The large building in the middle of the frame is the Bushnell Building, designed by the Chicago architectural firm of Shepley, Rutan and Coolidge, and built in two stages (1893 and 1903).  The building has already seen painstaking restoration work completed to high standards.

This morning, the Ohio Department of Development announced some that 12 commercial projects across Ohio will receive some $50.5 million in grants - including some $5 million earmarked for the Bushnell Building..  The Bushnell project is designed to create 75,000 square feet of LEED-certified office space, a project with a total price tag of approximately $10 million.

According to this story in today’s Springfield News-Sun, the newly-created office space will be equipped with the ability to host the most technology-savvy business occupant -- an excellent example of how the open spaces of traditional downtown commercial buildings create ideal locations for “modern” office space.

Click here to read more about the Bushnell Building, its history, current tenants, and rental opportunities.  Congratulations to the buildings’ owners, James and Nike Lagos, and everyone associated with this pacesetting project.

Photo: Bushnell Building, Downtown Springfield - Preservation Ohio File Photo

Elected officials in Sandusky, Tiffin, Portsmouth and Toledo have been considering the future of local landmark buildings -- and last week voters made their feelings known on at least two of those projects.  Here’s a quick review…

Sandusky City Council has voted to reject a Community Development Block Grant for renovation of former Sanduskian Hotel into the Rieger Lofts, citing “lack of visible progress,” according to this story in the Lorain Morning Journal.  Click here to access the project website.

The two Seneca County Commissioners who previously voted to demolish the landmark Seneca County Courthouse were reelected last Tuesday, one defeating Jackie Fletcher, who was one of six plaintiffs in a lawsuit concerning the decision to demolish the building.  The entity working on a renovation plan for the building has a December 10 deadline to develop and present their proposal to Commissioners..

Voters in Portsmouth rejected a tax issue to fund renovation of the former Martings Department Store building into a new city administration facility, a plan which would have also included retail development.  According to this article in Saturday’s Portsmouth Daily Times, city leaders are now looking at new construction.

Kudos to voters in the Toledo Public School District, who authorized funding to renovate the massive, historic Scott High School, constructed in 1913.  Additional funding was required as the Ohio School Facilities Commission refused to pay for some renovation expenses - but would paradoxically pay for two new buildings to replace Scott.  After the vote, the Toledo Board of Education voted unanimously to preserve and renovate the landmark building.

Photo: Toledo Scott High School, circa 1925/Public Domain

No sooner had we posted yesterday’s story about the future of preservation issues and opportunities under the incoming administration than we received a press release from the National Trust for Historic Preservation on the same subject.  “Great minds think alike,” as they say.

The Trust lays out six general areas of concern under the general title “Change Starts Here: Preservation Priorities for President-Elect Barack Obama,” and goes on to specify six general “action areas” in which historic preservation has a role – the economy, sustainability, natural disaster relief and preparedness, transportation policies, public land, and federal stewardship.  Visitors to the site can vote for any of these areas as having the largest impact on their own community, and can add their own comments – which can then be viewed at the bottom of the page.  As of the posting of this story, over 70 comments can already be read.

To access the site, click here.

MyHometownOhio, as one of the voices for Ohio’s non-profit preservation, revitalization and sustainable growth communities, has remained scrupulously non-partisan during the recent campaign and election process.  Now that Americans have chosen their next President, however, it is interesting to reflect on what directions the Obama administration will take in these areas.

Its obviously a bit early to answer that question.  There are some possible clues, however, in the information and links provided by the website “Historic Preservation for Obama,” which can be accessed here.  The site analyzes the policy statements and publications of the winning campaign, and looks to how those directions interface with historic preservation in all of its forms, particularly in the area of urban revitalization.

Senator Obama chose Ohio as a backdrop for one of those policy statements - a speech on urban issues that he gave in Toledo this past August.  Obama said, “"We've got to get past the notion that we can leave the cities to rot,” according to this coverage in the Plain Dealer.

The maxim obviously still holds true that all -- or at least most -- preservation is “local,” and whatever the new President's intent, Congress still holds the key to enacting important urban and rural preservation-friendly legislation.  Nevertheless, the paradigm shift that America is waking up to this morning is bound to have a profound impact on preservation possibilities over the coming years.