Author: deab

The Money Tree: Sowing the Seeds of Economic Development: At this years conference, we are all acutely aware impacts of the ongoing economy crisis, add to that the loss of Redevelopment money and we can all agree that it is time to get more creative in how we go about envisioning, funding, and implementing historic preservation projects. The technical tract titled The Money Tree: Sowing the Seeds of Economic Development explores how the economic climate directly affects historic preservation. This track will examine the impact of emerging economic trends on historic properties and identify how preservationists can influence real estate development by knowing what makes public agencies and private developers tick.

What’s Next for Redevelopment Agencies in California
Saturday, May 5 10:45 AM – 12:15 PM

In an era of downsizing or outright elimination of redevelopment agencies, preservationists must ensure that the positive messages and programs the agencies sponsored are sustained. This session will offer strategies for overcoming the challenges imposed by recent changes in redevelopment funding. It will place a particular focus on what the changes mean for California’s Main Street Program and the tools communities can use to ensure that future redevelopment programs keep preservation as a key focal point.

Mike Garavaglia, AIA, LEED AP BD&C and Principal of Garavaglia Architecture, Inc. is serving as the moderator for this session

Mobile Session – Rocking and Rolling in Uptown: How the Fox Theater Renovation Spurred Reinvestment
May 4, 2:00–5:15 pm

Visit the renovated Fox Theater that helped catalyze reinvestment in uptown Oakland and hear views from real estate and financial experts involved in developing the neighborhood. The tour will start with a peek inside the renovated Fox Theater (between sound checks, it is an active theater after all!) and then move on to looking at the newly revitalized Uptown District by focusing on businesses that opened in anticipation of and after the re-opening of the Fox Theater. City of Oakland staff will also be on hand to talk about the recent development history of the area and what the City did to enhance the district in anticipation of this key project including infill housing projects.

Dea Bacchetti, Marketing Manager at Garavaglia Architecture, Inc. and head of the Local Steering Committee as a member of the board for Oakland Heritage Alliance is serving as a speaker on this session. She will be focusing on the role advocates had in saving key buildings in the district, such as the Fox Theater.

Garavaglia Architecture, Inc. staff is getting geared up for CPF’s 37th annual conference in Oakland starting in a week!  Our staff has been heavily involved in planning for the conference and wanted to highlight some of activities.

Pre-Conference Tours

Each year CPF has pre-conference study tours designed to highlight a workshops are intended to give a broad perspective on the history and current happening in the Easy Bay. Garavaglia Architecture, Inc., staff is participating in some of these tours including:

Rebuilding Community Through Urban Agriculture Thursday, May 3, 9:00 am–12:30 pm

This half-day study tour will explore both the history and future of urban agriculture with a focus on Oakland’s vital urban agriculture movement. We will explore how community-driven urban agricultural groups, soil remediation projects, and new zoning initiatives are reintroducing gardens and farming to older and historic neighborhoods. Join us as we visit City Slicker Farms, a working community farm in the West Oakland neighborhood and other community gardens to learn cutting-edge lead remediation work to reintroduce safe gardens and agricultural uses in Alameda County neighborhoods. Transportation provided.

Moderator: Sarah Hahn, Architectural Historian, Garavaglia Architecture, Inc.

Speakers: Jessica Blemker-Ferree, Architectural Historian, ICF International; Allison Vanderslice, Historical Resources Consultant; Barbara Finnin, Executive Director, City Slicker Farms; Steve Calanog, EPA; Birgitt Evans, Vice President, Alameda County Master Gardeners; Eric Angstadt, Deputy Director, Community and Economic Development Director,

Oakland and Ground-breaking Women at Three Restored East Bay Historic Houses T B May 3, 1:30 PM – 5:00 PM

Historic house tour touts ground-breaking 19th century women professionals and exhibit restoration techniques used in three East Bay residences: 1876 Italianate Camron-Stanford House, 1884 East Lake Stick Cohen Bray House, and 1897 Colonial Revival Meyers House. Transportation provided.

Speakers: Frankie Rhodes, Board of Directors, Camron Stanford House; Robbie Dileo, Alameda Historical Society and Museum; Paul Roberts, Board of Directors, Cohen Bray House; Hank Dunlop, Board of Directors, Cohen Bray House; Patty Donald, Board of Directors, Cohen Bray House; Chris Lutjen, Garavaglia Architecture, Inc.

We hope to see you next week!