HOMETOWN HISTORY TOURS

LINCOLN PARK, MICHIGAN,  August 26, 2009 – The Lincoln Park Historical Museum and the Lincoln Park Preservation Alliance are co-hosting a presentation on structure, community sustainability and green preservation.   “PastForward” is a project of Preservation Wayne’s consulting architect, Mike Kirk, AIA, LEED AP.  Mike Kirk is a Principal with Neumann/Smith Architecture where he leads the firm’s s interiors/adaptive re-use studio.  He has  wide-ranging experience  in the areas of building conservation, adaptive re-use of historic structures, community planning, retail/entertainment design and facility management.   Mr. Kirk’s presentation, first given at Wayne State University during the Local History Conference in April, focuses on efforts to keep local communities relevant and vibrant today and in the future through sustainability performance and achievements.

We hear the word “sustainability” a lot these days, often in reference to efficient use of energy and food and agricultural production.  At the community level, could we be asking ourselves where will the buildings in our community be in 20 or 30 years time?  What plans need to be made to keep these buildings usable and pertinent?   Should we, as community leaders of today, even be concerned about these questions?   For example, LEED certification (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is an outgrowth of this concern, specifically assigned to a community’s existing and newly-built structures, both commercial and residential.  Communities across the country – and the world – are all confronting these same issues.