the national trust 2006 preservation awards

[sevfiv]

http://www.nationaltrust.org/news/2006/200...2_npa_main.html

this year's recipients were overwhelmingly northern - the Southwest School of Art and Craft in San Antonio was the closest to us...

also, the "best & worst" should be updated soon for this year:

http://www.nationaltrust.org/magazine/arch...tory/010606.htm

[Guest danax]

FROM THE WORST LIST

Detroit Caught in 1960s "Urban Renewal" Myth

In preparation for the 2006 Super Bowl, the city of Detroit intends to demolish 100 buildings, many of them neglected historic buildings that could be revitalized. In May, the city issued a demolition permit for the century-old Madison-Lenox Hotel, presumably for a parking lot (the Madison-Lenox was on the Trust's 2004 11 Most list). Another hotel, the city-owned 1914 Statler Hilton, was torn down in June, prompting the Trust to name the city's historic downtown buildings to its 11 Most Endangered list. What will be left of downtown Detroit?

They are still stuck in the 60s there as long as crime is high DT. The first artists would then be expected to move in in 15 years or so.

Down and Out in Beverly Hills

Despite its history and panache, Beverly Hills remains one of the only Los Angeles suburbs without a historic-preservation ordinance. Consequently, Ira and George Gershwin's former home and office became just another teardown story in August. Less than a week after a developer razed the Gershwin mansion, demolition began downtown on a 1923 theater and 1926 warehouse, months after voters approved a new hotel in its place.

I guess a preservation law would hinder the modern fat cats from demolishing the tiny little historic mansions in order to create their own super McMansions, sort of like what River Oaks is seeing. Sounds like developers have their way there too. Is this a sister city of ours?