Abstract
New Orleanians discuss why historic preservation is so important to the city, why preserving our heritage creates economic growth and how PRC works to educate individuals, restore neighborhoods and advocate for the city.
Interviewees
Patricia Gay, Executive Director, PRC
Joe Uzee, Mortgage Lending
Howard & Kathryn Conyers, PRC Members
Katie Witry, Realtor
Jeff Treffinger, Designer & Builder
Kim Vu-Dinh, Funding & Compliance Consultant
Kim Smith, Renovator
Michael Cajskie, Architect
Supreeya Scarmuzza, Entrepreneur
Keith Scarmuzza, Entrepreneur
More than 83 blighted properties restored and sold through Operation Comeback
More than 1,275 owner-occupied homes repaired through Rebuilding Together New Orleans
More than 184 deconstruction and salvage projects, recycling materials for future restorations
119 façade easements maintained by PRC
Our Beginnings
Preservation Is Our Mission
Preservation Is Our Business
Rebuilding Our Neighborhoods
Our Future
Conclusion
Our Beginnings
“[T]he establishment of the Preservation Resource Center was a result of the declining population in the city. Federal programs and policies were bringing about the destruction of American cities—with highway construction, with urban renewal subsidizing suburban growth—people couldn’t get loans in the cities to buy and renovate a house. People were alarmed.” —Patricia Gay, PRC Executive Director
“What the PRC has been most effective in doing is promoting living in our older neighborhoods and helping people actually undertake a renovation.” —Patricia Gay, PRC Executive Director
“One of the things that’s most unique about New Orleans architecture is the sheer volume of it. In many cities that have historic areas, they are quite contained. In the city of New Orleans, we have neighborhood upon neighborhood filled with historic architecture.” —Jeff Treffinger, Designer & Builder
Preservation Is Our Mission
“When you create a historic district, it brings stability to your neighborhood; it means the houses next to you are going to be done correctly.” —Patricia Gay, PRC Executive Director
“Preservation is not just an aesthetic treat. I think it touches all people in this city to have a built environment that is safe and happens to be beautiful.” —Kim Vu-Dinh, Funding & Compliance Consultant
“The PRC helped validate the notion that you can renovate and restore without replicating what was done years ago, and they were actually incredibly supportive of my idea of restore the front but do something new and contemporary in the back. Preservation doesn’t have to follow the same path for everybody.” —Kim Smith, Renovator
Preservation Is Our Business
“Preservation really is good for business; it attracts investors. In New Orleans if you drive around especially downtown every building you see that looks good probably used the historic tax credit.” —Patricia Gay, PRC Executive Director
“With the historic tax credits in place, I think that was really the game-changer for private sector developers to consider how to make money using these credits. And obviously I think it’s pretty well-known the PRC was very integral in getting those in place and the communication to our elected officials as to why it’s important.” —Kim Vu-Dinh, Funding & Compliance Consultant
“When I see a renovation job well-done, I see skilled workers. You can build developer-type suburbs without skilled workers. I love seeing the old-time craftsmen, and I want their businesses to continue, and I don’t want their crafts to die out—things like plastering or wrought iron work—and New Orleans is lucky to have those sorts of craftsmen around. They simply do not exist in some other places.” —Michael Cajskie, Architect
“Preservation is very important, and an active preservation movement is essential, and with people looking for property with a need for housing stock, it’s necessary to preserve most of these properties. It’s a process of working with a very talented cast of people to create something fantastic.” —Jeff Treffinger, Designer & Builder
Rebuilding Our Neighborhoods
“The young people who came here to work after Katrina decided to stay. When they relocated here, they didn’t want to stay in the suburbs—they want to live in the city where they work and get the feel of it. So if we have a blighted neighborhood, that first house might be the toughest one to get done, but once one house comes back, youâre gonna see a resurgence of people that see the beauty of that one house, and then the next one happens and the next one, and so forth, so that brings that neighborhood back into commerce—it brings the houses back into commerce.” —Jeff Treffinger, Designer & Builder
Our Future
“When you see a lot of these buildings and houses on my very street, it’s kind of daunting to see the kind of condition they’re in. I think it’s important for there to be at least one organization who is doing some pretty difficult work, sending a message through actions that historic preservation can be done.” —Kim Vu-Dinh, Funding & Compliance Consultant
“They are passionate about bringing this city back and preserving the history.” —Joe Uzee, Mortgage Lending
“We can’t just be satisfied with the status quo; we’ve got to keep our neighborhoods growing and getting better and better.” —Patricia Gay, PRC Executive Director
“The payback that you get of living in a historic home where people have lived for centuries is a wonderful feeling, and the PRC really actually promotes that. Theyâve been doing it for over 40 years, and so I see them continuing into our future.” —Katie Witry, Realtor
Conclusion
Thanks to our supporters who have made it possible to preserve the best of New Orleans these last 40 years! With your contributions, the PRC will continue to protect our City’s heritage for future generations.
PRC will continue celebrating its 40th anniversary throughout the 2014-2015 year and invites you to JOIN in support.
About Preservation Resource Center of New Orleans (PRC)
Preservation Resource Center of New Orleans (PRC) celebrates 40 years of promoting the preservation, restoration and revitalization of New Orleans’ historic architecture and neighborhoods. Founded in 1974, PRC is a non-profit organization that has restored nearly 1,500 properties citywide and has assisted countless individuals with their own renovation efforts through its outreach and advocacy programs. PRC provides resources and education to convey the economic, cultural and aesthetic importance of historic preservation in New Orleans and throughout the world. For more information about PRC and its revitalization efforts, call 504.581.7032 or visit www.prcno.org. Connect with PRC on Facebook and Twitter (@PRCNO). You can also find PRC on Instagram, Flickr and Pinterest.
MEDIA CONTACT
Gretchen Hirt / Gambel Communications
504.324.4242 / Gretchen@gambelpr.com
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