The Petersburg Center for
Historic Preservation
Tyler Pitt | Spring 2015 University of Virginia | PLAN 6500 Community Design Lab Studio | Harriett Jameson
Contents Introduction......................................1 Justification.......................................2 Program Overview.............................4 Case Studies.......................................8 Partners...........................................13 Programs and Classes.....................18 PCHP Locations..............................21 Funding............................................24 Project Selection............................28 Building a Historic District.............36 Conclusion......................................38 Works Cited....................................40
Introduction: The Petersburg Center for Historic Preservation is a non-profit organization with the mission of restoring the City of Petersburg’s historic fabric while creating career opportunities for local youth. The Center offers a wide range of classes, programs, internships, and job opportunities that give participants hands-on experience in the field of historic preservation. This program is highly scalable and meant to be implemented in phases. A rigorous reinvestment in the city’s historic resources as well as in the development of its youth, could offer a way forward for the troubled City. This book seeks to explain why such a center is necessary, how it would function, how it could be implemented, and what sort of impact it could have on Petersburg.
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Justification: The youth of Petersburg are at a substantial disadvantage when it comes to academic and professional life chances. The Petersburg School system is one of the worst in the Commonwealth. Peabody Middle School as been unaccredited for the last nine years, and Vernon Johns Junior High was on warning and seeking conditional accreditation for the 2014-2015 school year.1 Petersburg High School has a graduation rate of 49%, well below the 77% state average.2 Overall educational attainment for the City of Petersburg is very low. Only 15% hold a bachelors degree or higher, and 26% didn’t graduate from High School.3 The underachieving school system and low level of educational attainment in the city of Petersburg lead to a low median household income of $34,424 or 53% of the state median. Additionally 26% of all families in Petersburg live below the poverty level.4 Many of these statistics can be tied to the lack of educational and employment opportunities for the youth of Petersburg. Most tellingly there is a 37% unemployment rate among 20-24 year olds in the labor force in the city.5 A historic preservation school could begin to offer local young people new opportunities for growth and professional success that are not dependent on the school system or prior knowledge.
Petersburg | 49%
High School Graduation Rates
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Virginia | 77%
National | 80%
There is a nearly inexhaustible supply of historic structures that are in need restoration in Petersburg. A preservation school could be kept busy for many years to come working on structures within the city alone. Currently there are 268 buildings built before 1865 within the city limits and over 500 built before 1900.6 Many of these structures are vacant or in disrepair. According to the City comprehensive plan, 16% of all housing units in the city are vacant.7 This is the highest rate of vacancy in the region. Combined, these statistics describe the perfect environment for a organization tasked with restoring historic structures. A center for historic preservation would work to remedy two of the cities most pressing issues simultaneously. By teaching local youth employable skills and connecting them with career opportunities while restoring the built form of the city, Petersburg can improve the quality of life for its residents while its restored streets become a destination again. Historic Structures in Central Petersburg
| Pre-1865 Structure
| Pre-1900 Structure
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Program Overview: The Petersburg Center for Historic Preservation (PCHP) is a non-profit organization that seeks to foster strong partnerships in order to educate local youth and restore the historic character of the city. The center is very scalable, and can be impactful from the minimum intervention of an internship program, all the way up to an expanded National Battlefield, with permanent offices and staff. Students, instructors, and private contractors would work together to restore and maintain historic buildings, and retrofit historic structures for adaptive reuse. This involvement would encompass cataloging and assessment of historic structures, selective demolition, brickwork, framing, and finish work. Because the PCHP is a non-profit and makes use of grants, tax credits, and participant labor the center can conduct restorations at well below market rate, making it very competitive.
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The PCHP would partner with local contractors, and historic preservation firms to complete projects while giving participants hands-on experience working with historic homes. The National Park Service (NPS) would serve as a powerful partner, providing funding, and historic preservation expertise. Initial funding for the PCHP could be provided in part by the National Park Service, the City of Petersburg, or private donations. The PCHP has the potential to become self-sustaining and even profitable. As the center provides the service of maintaining and restoring homes, it receives monetary compensation. This compensation comes in the form of historic preservation tax credits, and payments from clients. As more projects are completed and more buildings are restored, the Center should create a maintenance program that offers homeowners the option to have participants take the lead in routine maintenance and repairs on their properties. Additionally, if partnered with the National Park Service, the Center should look to create a more cohesive historic district and a trail that provides information about the area and its history. This program cannot be implemented overnight. Depending on funding available and the amount of interest, the PCHP could be initiated at many levels. With very little funding the City of Petersburg should look to create a program that pays local youth to intern with firms working on historic preservation and construction in the city. By partnering with NPS and Virginia State University, the PCHP could use NPS and university staff and resources to teach basic classes in preservation and historic architecture, and make partnerships with existing programs to enroll local youth in preservation related classes. With a city budget allocation, or substantial grant or donation funds, 5
the PCHP could open offices alongside the NPS in the Old South Side Train Depot, or somewhere on the Virginia State University Campus, and offer more classes to a wider range of participants. In the final phase the PCHP would be self-sustaining, and use exclusively PCHP staff and participants on restorations. In the final phase the Center would
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some employ participants and work to help others find jobs in partner firms across the nation. In this way the Petersburg Center for Historic Preservation can provide valuable opportunities for for young people who don’t have many options, while simultaneously revitalizing the entire city, bringing life back to the city streets.
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Case Studies: Lowell National Historical Park Lowell, Massachusetts
In 1979 Lowell Massachusetts took a stand. Plagued by blight, vacancy, unemployment, and declining industry, state officials openly deemed the post-industrial city of 100,00 “hopeless”. It took an act of congress to create a national park within the city limits that highlighted the city’s incredible history as an industrial powerhouse. Lowell and Petersburg followed similar paths from industrial prominence to decline and neglect. Petersburg would do well to follow in Lowell’s footsteps by making powerful partnering and focusing on historic preservation and revitalization. Founded in 1979 the Lowell National Historic Park was the first urban National Park. The park’s borders wrap along the city’s canals and central mill district, encompassing 142 acres. The park acts as “a living monument to the dynamic human story of the Industrial Revolution.”8 The Lowell Historic Preservation Commission led the restoration and redevelopment effort. The Commission drafted the Preservation Plan, which laid of the goals, methods and projects for the revitalization of the city. The commission had the ability to issue grants and loans to private property owners, use eminent domain to acquire property, employ easements and deed restrictions, lease and sell property, accept donations, and issue cultural grants. Lowell Massachusetts was successful in focusing their efforts towards the central core of the city, leveraging federal funds and grants to encourage private sector investment, forging strong partnerships with the National Park Service, and crafting a unified narrative for the city. Additionally the Lowell Historic Preservation Commission made 8
an effort to engage local youth in the process, creating internship positions. Today, the Spindle City Corps, a youth program lead by the National Park Service, teaches local high school students skills through a summer maintenance and trade skills program. Participants train as mechanics, HVAC specialists, electricians, and carpenters, working with professionals on projects within the park, learning valuable life skills while connecting with potential employers and engaging with their city.9
Lowell National Historical Park
| National Park Boundary | Preservation District Boundary
Re-Visioning Lowell
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Inner-City Arts
Skid Row, Los Angeles, CA
“Inner-City Arts, widely regarded as one of the nation’s most effective arts education providers, is an oasis of learning, achievement and creativity in the heart of Skid Row, and a vital partner in the work of creating a safer, healthier Los Angeles.”10 In 1989 Bob Bates, an artist and teacher, and Irwin Jager, an entrepreneur teamed up to found InnerCity Arts. “The project was developed to give at-risk children and young people the facilities and opportunities to develop artistic skills and increase access to cultural values.”11 The center offers classes in visual arts, ceramics, dance, film, graphic design, drama, digital photography, and music.12 The goal of the program is to give young people a productive outlet through creative experiential learning. Inner-City Arts partners with the Los Angeles Unified School District, the LA Department of Cultural Affairs and a large number of private foundations and donors. The project is an incredible example of the power of hands-on learning and development for underprivileged young people. Additionally the program was designed in phases over 13 years, making the most of limited resources. Inner-City Arts shows the potential a social program can have when it allies with powerful partners and attracts private sector investment and donations. The Petersburg Center for Historic Preservation should look to learn from Inner-City Arts success collecting funding and forging partnerships. InnerCity Arts has a strong narrative that attracts donors, teachers, and participants. The PCHP should create a similar vision to make the work it does well known nationally as well as within the Petersburg community. 10
Inner-City Arts
* Image from Culture: City, 192.
Inner-City Arts Urban Context
* Image from www.mmaltzan.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/michael_ maltzan_architecture_inner_city_arts_11.jpg
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Stephen T. Mather High School New York City, NY
Stephen T. Mather High School opened for classes in 2013 as a historic preservation and craftsmanship school in New York City. The school focuses on hands-on skill building with specializations in carpentry, masonry/plastering, decorative finishes, and landscape management.13 Mather High School gives students a viable alternative to a traditional education. While students still receive a high school diploma, they also are able to develop marketable skills and engage with real world projects. Mather High School partners with the National Park Service, students work hands-on with Park Service employees maintaining and restoring National Parks and Monuments around the city. Students who graduate from Mather receive a Career and Technical Education Diploma (CTE) making graduates more likely to find a job in the field they study. As Mather High School opened its doors in 2013, it is too early to know how successful the program will be, however Mather is a valuable case study for how to structure classes and curriculum that focus on historic preservation.
* Image from http://www.matherhsnyc.org/
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Partners:
Lowell, MA, | Los Angeles, CA | New York, NY National Park Service The National Park Service can be a powerful partner. The NPS is already highly involved both in the field of Historic Preservation, and within the City of Petersburg. From Preservation Planning Programs, to trade schools, to internships, and funding grants, the NPS is the major federal player in the historic preservation field in the US.14 Many of these federal programs are very applicable to the history of Petersburg and the idea of the creation of a center for historic preservation. Ideally, a partnership with the NPS would include an extension of the boundary of the Petersburg National Battlefield. Currently the battlefield centers on the “Crater� the site of a major Civil War Battle, but by extending the battlefield to the west and into the downtown area Petersburg could make use of new funding sources. Lowell, Massachusetts used this strategy with the creation of the Lowell National Historical Park, which served as a catalyst for revitalization of the historic downtown core. An extension of the boundary would open new doors for funding, like the NPS American Battlefield Protection program, and national recognition.15 The PCHP and NPS would work hand-in-hand, with the NPS as the administrative arm, taking care of the visitor experience and securing federal funding, while the PCHP would work to restore and maintain the historic structures within the extended boundary.
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Even without an extension of the battlefield boundary, the NPS is already renovating the South Side Train Depot to use as a headquarters. The currently vacant bays of the depot could serve as offices and workshops for the PCHP, allowing easy collaboration and exchange between the center and the NPS.
Petersburg Battlefield and Potential Boundary Extension
Virginia State University Virginia State University is located in Chesterfield County, directly across the river from downtown Petersburg. The PCHP would be an opportunity to create greater connections between the university and the city. VSU offers degree programs in History, and Visual Communications Art & Design, as well as Project Management through the Career and Technical Studies department.16 Students in these programs could work with the PCHP to mentor participants and work on projects during the historic assessment and documentation phases. 14
Historic Petersburg Foundation The Petersburg Center for Historic Preservation is really an extension of the work the Historic Petersburg Foundation is already doing. While the organizational structure of the two organizations are different, they both look to restore the historic character of the city. The Historic Petersburg Foundation (HPF) buys, or acquires through other means, neglected and decaying historic structures, holds them until an appropriate buyer is found, and then sells them, requiring the new owner to renovate and restore the structure.17 The HPF headquarters is on Grove Avenue, very close to both proposed locations for the PCHP offices. The PCHP could work to supplement the work the HPF does. By providing funding through grants and tax credits the PCHP can restore buildings without formally acquiring them. This allows existing residents to stay in their home, maintaining the character of the neighborhood. If the home is vacant, or owned by an absentee landlord who is willing to sell, the PCHP could partner with the HPF to restore the structure at a lower cost, generating value when the renovated structure is eventually sold. In the event that there is too little funding to full realize the goals of the PCHP, the City of Petersburg could furnish funding to allow wouldbe participants to intern with the HPF instead, building the groundwork for a more full realization of the PCHP in the future.
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Colonial Williamsburg A partnership with Colonial Williamsburg would generate access to more funding opportunities and help build relationships with preservation professionals who are already involved in a highly successful preservation effort. Petersburg will never be Colonial Williamsburg, and it shouldn’t, but Colonial Williamsburg is a deep case study for how to generate funding and work to preserve historic structures.
National Parks Service High School Graduates and Dropouts Cameron Foundation
PARTNERS
Local Property Owners Petersburg High School Students
USERS
City of Petersburg Historic Petersburg Foundation Virginia State University
FUNDERS
Historic Tax Credits VSU History and Art and Design Students Local Elementary School Students
CLIENTS
Colonial Williamsburg Local Artisans Petersburg Dept. of Economic Development
PCHP Organizational Structure and Partnerships
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Non-Profits Historic Preservation Firms Private Donors Petersburg High School Uva Grants
Colonial Williamsburg and the College of William and Mary offer an Architectural Field School summer program, which teaches participants how to assess historic structures and use CAD drawings and other tools to create Historic Structures Reports.18 The program meets for four weeks over the summer and is open to college students and those with a special interest in historic preservation. By partnering with Colonial Williamsburg the PCHP could put its participants through the Architectural Field School Program in the early stages of PCHP’s existence when it doesn’t have the capacity to put on a full program.
Petersburg High School Partnering with Petersburg High School would be critical to make sure that local youth know about the PCHP, and have opportunities to get involved. Petersburg High School counselors should push students with an interest in history or working with their hands to take classes at the PCHP, or join summer programs. Additionally Petersburg High School already offers a Career and Technical program that offers courses in carpentry and masonry.19 The PCHP could enroll its participants in these courses, and partner with the high school to use their shops for training before the PCHP has the funds to build its own workspace.
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Programs and Classes: It requires an enormous amount of expertise to fully restore historic structures. The Petersburg Center for Historic Preservation looks to teach local youth as many of these skills as possible. It is equally important to realize that participants will want to specialize, and that many will only participate part-time. The PCHP should offer a variety of programs, spanning from afterschool activities to a full-fledged pre-professional preservation program. A pre-professional program would include the following academic elements, courses on the history of Petersburg, and 19th century architecture, archeology and historic assessments, computer drafting and AutoCAD, basic woodshop skills, masonry skills, landscaping skills. History and design classes could be an extension of the existing programs at Virginia State University and Petersburg High School, using similar curriculum, staff, or both. Private sector preservation partners would teach shop and construction classes to give participants the perquisite knowledge necessary for internships and employment.
INTRODUCTORY
FUNDAMENTAL SKILLS
ADVANCED SKILLS
PRE-PROFESSIONAL
•Learning about the past
•History of Petersburg
•Preservation tools
•On-site preservation
•Arts and crafts
•Drawing
•Wood and metal fabricating
•Planning for preservation
•Field trips to historic sites
•Site visits •Drafting tools
•Demolition and Construction
•Exploring Petersburg
•Introduction to graphic tools
•Adobe and AutoCAD graphic programs
•Researching the past
•Preservation as a profession
•Fieldwork and research •Internships and apprenticeships
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Additionally as many qualified participants as possible, especially those in the pre-professional program should be given paid hands-on internships. Interns would work on preservation projects with private sector partners and PCHP staff. Hands-on development is very important to ensure that participants develop the skills necessary to be successful in the construction and historic preservation industries. Participants will be encouraged to seek out additional opportunities and aided by PCHP Staff and private sector partners in finding long term employment in the Petersburg are either in a related field or in another area of interest.
Programing Diagram
While the pre-professional program would only be open to those 18 and over, with a preference for unemployed high school graduates and dropouts, most PCHP classes would be open to any interested local youth. Programs that cater towards Elementary and Middle School students would be a great way to get kids involved with their community, and promote learning after school and during the summer. 19
Learning about the history of Petersburg, visiting important sites in the city, and even doing art projects can help to combat the “summer slide”, the phenomenon where inactivity during summer breaks leads to a loss of learning. This phenomenon is especially evident in low-income families, in fact “more than half of the achievement gap between lower- and higher-income youth can be explained by unequal access to summer learning opportunities.”20 While the PCHP represents an incredible opportunity for those youth who are struggling to find their place in the job market, it also represents an important step in making sure the youth of Petersburg stay in school and get a formal education. Like all aspects of the PCHP, the course offerings should be phased in as the center grows. With a limited amount of resources, priority should be given to the pre-professional program, creating hands-on opportunities, and to creating classes that are not already being offered elsewhere in the city.
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PCHP Locations: The Petersburg Center for Historic Preservation should be located as close to the historic downtown, and the buildings it would work to restore as possible. Locations that are either owned by the City of Petersburg, or by another partner organization should be given priority. Additionally, buildings that are historic or are in need of restoration would allow the participants to see the fruits of their labors as they restore their own building.
The South Side Train Depot is the first candidate for the PCHP offices. The old train depot is located in the north downtown, on Pike Street near the farmers market. Owned by the City of Petersburg, and in a state of considerable disrepair, the train depot is the perfect location for the PCHP. The National Park Service is currently in the process of restoring the main building of the train depot to use as a visitor center and office. However, there are seven bays connected the main building that do not have a planned use, and would provide flexible space for the PCHP to expand. 21
South Side Depot Floor Plan and Programming
South Side Depot Section
N. Ad Street
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South Side Depot and Simms Hall Context
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PLAN 6500 | SPRING 2015 | TYLER PITT
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Simms Hall on the Virginia State University Campus is the second best candidate. Located across the river from Petersburg, Simms Hall is a currently unused historic two story brick building. Like the train depot, Simms Hall would be a great learn-bydoing project for PCHP participants, and although it is technically not in the City of Petersburg, it is less than a mile from downtown, and within easy walking distance of the historic, Grove Avenue/ High Street Neighborhood. By leasing Simms Hall from Virginia State, the PCHP could develop deeper ties with the University.
3D Model of existing Simms Hall
Simms Hall Section
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Funding: Funding is often a barrier for non-profit programs, and the City of Petersburg doesn’t have unlimited funds to jumpstart a historic preservation program. While it will require substantial initial funds to fully implement the PCHP, the program can be implemented in phases depending on the level of funding available, and ideally the PCHP will be selfsustaining as soon as it begins to restore historic structures. The basic funding structure is as follows. The PCHP receives funds from a variety of sources including the City of Petersburg, the National Park Service, federal grants, and private donations. This money is used to cover staff and operating costs in addition to funding the restoration of local historic structures. Building restorations require materials as well as payment for private sector contractors, and participant interns.
Funding Strategy
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The PCHP should make use of Federal and State level Historic Tax Credits. The Commonwealth of Virginia offers a 25% Tax Credit for all eligible renovation expenses, while the Federal government offers a 20% rate. In some cases projects may be eligible for both programs. Projects are eligible which are listed on the National Registry of Historic Places, or are in a historic district and substantially add to the character of that district.21 The majority of downtown Petersburg and much of the historic city limits are within historic districts, so most projects will be eligible to receive Tax Credits. According to data provided by the Virginia Department of Historic Resources, there have been 49 projects in Petersburg that have made use of Historic Tax Credits since 2010.22 These projects range from single-family homes, Central Petersburg Historic Districts
Pocahontas Island Historic District Petersburg Courthouse Historic District
Folly Castle Historic District
Poplar Lawn Historic District Atlantic Coast Railroad Historic District Petersburg Old Town Historic District
Centre Hil Historic District
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Residential Example Location: West Washington Street Total Cost: $167,265 Current Use: Residential Year Completed: December, 2008
Commercial Example
Location: East Bank Street Total Cost: $621,492 Current Use: Un-leased Year Completed: In-progress
Industrial Example Location: High Street Total Cost: $ 3727755 Current Use: Residential Lofts Year Completed: December, 2011
*images from Google Earth
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to the restoration and adaptive reuse of large factories. The median total expenditure for renovation was $880,020, and the average was slightly over two million dollars. Combined, there has been $98 million spent on restorations, earning $24.6 million in Historic Tax Credits. Case studies like Inner-City Arts, and Colonial Williamsburg show the importance of powerful donors. While Petersburg may not have a John D. Rockefeller, it is crucial that the PCHP forge connections with potential donors and make use of grant opportunities. The National Trust for Historic Preservation offers grants within the state of Virginia for the restoration of historic structures,23 and these funds could also be used to lower the cost of restorations, and increase the PCHP’s ability to get work done. By utilizing these tax credits the PCHP can substantially lower the cost of renovation. Additionally by using participant labor, which is cheaper than the market rate, and by using funds from donations and grants, the PCHP can offer very competitive rates for restorations. These low rates and logistical support can enable homeowners and developers to undertake restorations that were previously too indimidating or were financially unfeasible. Because the PCHP offers a service, it will receive payment for all the buildings it restores. This cash flow, augmented by donations and historic tax credits, can more than cover costs, and the center can use the profit to create more programs, and thus have more capacity to take on additional projects. Ideally the PCHP will become selfsustaining and able to operate free from financial constraints of donors and grants, allowing the center to better fulfill its mission of educating the city’s youth while restoring the historic fabric. 27
Project Selection: With so many potential projects within the city limits, and with limited resources it is imperative that the PCHP work on projects that will create the biggest impact on the city. Projects should be selected based on a variety of parameters that take into account the location as well as the historic characteristics of a structure. By prioritizing projects in terms of Minimum, Medium, and Maximum interventions, the PCHP can efficiently allocate its funds.
Sections of Proposed Projects
There are hundreds of historic and significant structures in Petersburg that range in age from the early 1700s to the 20th century. With 268 structures built before 1865, care should be taken to select the oldest and most significant projects. GIS was used to visualize which structures are the oldest, and should be given priority when selecting projects. 28
Projects that are located near other historic structures should be given priority in order to create a cohesive district. A GIS kernel density analysis was used to generate a map of the areas in Petersburg with the highest concentration of historic structures; these centers exist in the High Street neighborhood and near Centre Hill. In order to create a historic district that becomes a destination for residents and tourists alike, projects should be located next to attractions. Cultural attractions like parks, museums, and historic sites, as well as restaurants, cafes, and bars were geocoded in GIS and a buffer analysis was run to show areas that have a high density of attractions. Projects that are completed in these areas will go a long way towards creating a historic feel in downtown Petersburg. Some structures in Petersburg are in near total decay. While it will be more expensive to restore these structures, in many cases they represent over 150 years of history, which without restoration would be lost forever. Historic structures in the downtown area were rated on a scale of 1 to 5 based on visual analysis from Google Earth Streetview. Structures with a score of 1 are well preserved, while those with a score of 5 are in a state of heavy disrepair. By focusing efforts on projects that are most in need of restoration the PCHP can ensure that Petersburg’s history is preserved for years to come.
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1. Well Preserved
Preserves historic character Well-maintained lawn Fresh paint No visible decay or damage
2. Partially Preserved
Historic character partially preserved Lived in but fresh Well-maintained lawn No visible decay or damage
3. Maintained
Maintained but minimally preserved Possible mix of architectural styles In need of routine maintenance Limited visible decay and damage No structural concerns
4. Moderate Disrepair
Historic character in jeopardy Possibly vacant or unused Likely water damage Lawn unmaintained Decay and exterior damage Some structural concerns
5. Heavy Disrepair
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Very likely vacant or unused Unlivable interior, condemnable Very heavy decay and damage Lawn unmaintained or overgrown Significant structural concerns
HISTORIC STRUCTURES YEAR BUILT
SCALE | 1:700
|PRE-1750| |1751-1800| |1801-1825| |1826-1850| |1851-1900| | HISTORIC BUILDING (PRE-1900)
DENSITY OF HISTORIC STRUCTURES SCALE | 1:700 HIGH DENSITY
LOW DENSITY
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PROXIMITY TO CULTURAL RESOURCES MUSEUMS, TOURS, PARKS, HISTORIC SITES 1/8 MILE BUFFER
SCALE | 1:700
PROXIMITY TO RESTAURANTS RESTAURANTS, DELIS, BARS 1/8 MILE BUFFER
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SCALE | 1:700
PROXIMITY TO ATTRACTIONS CULTURAL AND SHOPPING/FOOD DESTINATIONS 1/8 MILE BUFFER
SCALE | 1:700
STATE OF DISREPAIR DATA COLLECTED FROM GOOGLE EARTH IMAGES 2014
HEAVY DISREPAIR
MAINTAINED
SCALE | 1:700 WELL PRESERVED
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All of these parameters were combined to create one geographic output map that prioritizes projects in terms of Minimum, Medium, and
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Maximum interventions that allow the PCHP to make the most of limited resources.
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Building a Historic District While renovating individual buildings will help to raise property values and will begin preserve Petersburg’s rich history the city should go further. The consolidation of historic districts into one comprehensive historic downtown could help to link together neighborhoods and create a destination for tourists and citizens alike. The PCHP should partner with the National Park Service to create a more cohesive historic downtown by developing a historic trail and by placing interpretative signs and placards along the route. The addition of a trolley to ferry tourists to the and from the battlefield and along the historic trail could increase its usage. A strong historic district will encompass significant historical sites, attractions like museums, parks, and restaurants, and will connect with other parts of the city, Colonial Heights, Virginia State University, and the Petersburg National Battlefield. Engaging with the rich ecological and industrial history of the Appomattox River will create another outlet for the efforts of the PCHP and a new historic and recreational attraction near downtown. Historic preservation and the PCHP can serve as Historic Trail and Trolley Stops
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a catalyst for a cycle of revitalization throughout the city. Restoring historic structures will increase property values and attract more tourists, in effect increasing revenues for both the PCHP and local businesses. This increase in revenue will enable the PCHP to restore more structures, creating a stronger sense of history and place and enabling more businesses to open in the downtown, attracting more locals and tourists, continuing the cycle. Instead of resulting simply in restored structures, the work the PCHP does can extend across the city, creating connections and developing the strong sense of place that Petersburg is currently missing.
Model of Downtown Petersburg with historic structures (black acrylic), proposed PCHP projects, (pins) and the connections made by preservation projects (yellow string).
Model in Section
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Conclusion: The Petersburg Center for Historic Preservation offers historic preservation as a catalyst for revitalization and restoration both of the vibrancy of the city, and of its youth. By engaging young people with their city, and teaching them the skills necessary to be successful in the construction and preservation industry, the PCHP can foster productive and creative outlets for youth who have few options in life. The PCHP encourages young people to embrace their heritage and grow with their city instead of leaving it.
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There is incredible potential for a program of this kind in the City of Petersburg. Hundreds of historic buildings are in need of restoration and many sit vacant and crumbling. Restoring these buildings a first step that brings vibrancy and life back to Petersburg. This program can be implemented in phases and requires very few resources to start. With a small investment and the exercise of political will the City could begin to move towards a new future while looking to the past, as the crumbling brick of yesteryear may be the city’s way forward.
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Works Cited: 1. “2014-2015 Accreditation Ratings Reflect Higher Standards for Students and Schools,” Virginia Department of Education, accessed April 8, 2015, http://www.doe.virginia.gov/news/ news_releases/2014/09_sept16.shtml. 2. “Petersburg High School,” Public School Review, accessed April 10, 2015, http://www.publicschoolreview.com/school_ov/ school_id/85198. 3.“Petersburg (city), Virginia,” United States Census Bureau, accessed April 8, 2015, http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/ states/51/5161832.html. 4. “Petersburg (city), Virginia,” US Census Bureau. 5. American Community Survey, Table B23001, 20092013 5-year estimate, http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/ tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=ACS_13_5YR_ B23001&prodType=table. 6. Petersburg GIS Data. 7. “Housing,” Petersburg Comprehensive Plan 2011, http:// www.petersburg-va.org/DocumentCenter/View/493, 12. 8. “Massachusetts,” National Park Service, accessed February 26, 2015, http://www.nps.gov/state/ma/index.htm. 9. Interview with Amy Glowacki, Youth Program Coordinator, Lowell National Historical Park, February 24, 2015. 10. “Who We Are,” InnerCity Arts, accessed April 13, 2015, http://www.inner-cityarts.org/who-we-are.php. 11. Akademie Der Kunste, Culture: City, (Zurich: Lars Muller Publishers, 2013), 192. 12. “Art Forms at InnerCity Arts,” InnerCity Arts, accessed April 13, 2015, http://www.inner-cityarts.org/what-we-do-artforms.php. 13. “Mather High School Home,” Mather Building Arts and Craftsmanship High School, accessed April 13, 2015, http:// www.matherhsnyc.org/. 14. “Historic Preservation Links, National Park Service, accessed April 19, 2015, http://www.nps.gov/nr/preservation_ links.htm. 40
15. American Battlefield Protection Program, National Park Service, accessed April 19, 2015, http://www.nps.gov/abpp/ grants/planninggrants.htm. 16. “Degree Programs,” Virginia State University, accessed April 19, 2015, http://www.vsu.edu/academics/degreeprograms.php. 17. “About Us,” Historic Petersburg Foundation, accessed April 19, 2015, http://www.historicpetersburg.org/abouthistoric-petersburg-va/. 18. “Architectural Field School,” Colonial Williamsburg, accessed April 19, 2015, http://research.history.org/learning/ architectural-field-school/. 19. “Petersburg City Public Schools Adult and Continuing Education Program,” Petersburg High School, Accessed April 19, 2015, http://www.petersburg.k12.va.us/files/user/1/file/ PetersburgSchoolsTabwinter15_proof_revisions_12_18.pdf. 20. “Know the Facts,” National Summer Learning Association, accessed April 19, 2015, http://www.summerlearning. org/?page=know_the_facts. 21. “Rehabilitation Tax Credits,” Virginia Department of Historic Resources, accessed April 21, 2015, http://www.dhr. virginia.gov/tax_credits/tax_credit_faq.htm. 22. Historic Tax Credit data for Petersburg was obtained from Chris Novelli the Virginia Department of Historic Resources on April 21, 2015. 23. “National Trust Preservation Funds: Guidelines and Eligibility,” National Trust for Historic Preservation, accessed April 21, 2015, http://www.preservationnation.org/resources/ find-funding/preservation-funds-guidelines-eligibility.html#. VTcYZmRViko.
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