Charleston, SC mayor to speak at CPA Fall Forum

Cincinnati Preservation Association's (CPA) 13th annual Fall Forum Lecture will be held at noon this Friday at the Hall of Mirrors at the Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza downtown.

"Preserving and Restoring the American City - Every Citizen's Responsibility" will feature Charleston, South Carolina Mayor Joseph Riley, who will discuss his city's efforts to preserve its historic districts and revitalize its downtown.

Now in his ninth term, Riley is widely considered one of the most effective governmental leaders in America.

And under Riley’s leadership, Charleston has been recognized as one of the most livable communities in the United States.

"Cincinnati needs to hear an important message from Mayor Riley: that historic buildings, even in blighted neighborhoods, hold tremendous potential to provide quality housing for all income levels, attract new, locally-owned businesses, revitalize business districts, and preserve all-important neighborhood character," says Margo Warminski, preservation director for the CPA.  "The City also needs to learn from Charleston's example and insist on high standards for all renovation and new development."

So far in Cincinnati, a preservation-minded approach to economic development has taken hold only on a limited basis.

"Preservation is being used successfully as an economic development tool in Over-the-Rhine and in Northern Kentucky's river cities," Warminski says.  "It could be very beneficial for other neighborhoods with great historic building stock where extensive redevelopment or demolition is occurring: for example, some Uptown and West Side communities, as well as inner-ring suburbs."

Warminski says that it works best when it's done right.

"Heritage tourism is an important part of a healthy development mix," she says.  "It taps into many people's appreciation for real places, and can showcase a community's best assets.  Part of its appeal also may be urbane, walkable environments.  Touristy places, however, are cloying."

For information, contact the CPA at (513) 721-4506 or [email protected]

Writer: Kevin LeMaster
Source: Margo Warminski, preservation director, CPA
Photo courtesy of the Cincinnati Preservation Association