‘Place Economics’ Topic of Preservation Group’s Lecture Series

Erie,, PA, April 22, 2009 --(PR.com)-- The Erie Center for Design & Preservation (ECDP) marks Preservation Month at a free public seminar on Saturday, May 9, 2 p.m. at the Erie Insurance Auditorium, 100 Erie Insurance Place.

Architect and author Donovan Rypkema’s lecture,‘place economics’, will explain how preservation can be a “means of downtown revitalization, neighborhood stabilization, affordable housing, luxury housing, heritage tourism, education, and economic development.”

Rypkema is principal of PlaceEconomics, a Washington, DC-based real estate and economic development consulting firm specializing in downtown and neighborhood commercial district revitalization and adaptive reuse of historic structures.

Also scheduled to present is John Elliott, president & chief executive officer of the Economic Development Corporation of Erie County, and Terrance Cavanaugh, attorney and ECDP board member. Elliott will highlight Erie preservation projects and Cavanaugh will discuss lost, threatened and saved structures in Greater Erie. A question and answer period, moderated by Erie Art Museum Director and ECDP Board Member John Vanco, will follow.

The ECDP is a young non-profit working to advocate for the unique character of our region’s built environment through education and advocacy. In 2008, the ECDP hosted a public lecture by Arthur Ziegler, founder, president and chief executive officer of the Pittsburgh History and Landmark Foundation.

Current ECDP projects include the Villa Chapel and Roosevelt Middle School and working with professional photographer Fred Scruton to document threatened structures.

ECDP board members include Lisa Austin, Michael Beightol, Terrance Cavanaugh, Jeff Kidder, Margaret Kennedy, Melissa Kensill, Tom Furhman, Tom Maggio, Chris Magoc, Allan Montgomery, Sue Moyer, Dave Skellie, and John Vanco.

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