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Feb.
18, 2003 |
Architecture Class Tackles "Main Street
in Middleburgh"
Instead of run-down storefronts and barren sidewalks,
adjunct architecture professors Norman Mintz and Amy Facca, along
with students in their Preservation Design Studio course,
are taking building conservation principles to the streets: namely
to Middleburgh's Main Street.
Rensselaer graduate students in building conservation
are helping residents revitalize and preserve the historic downtown
area of the village of Middleburgh, a small town about an hour
west of Troy.
Students will offer up their expertise and assistance
in developing projects with residents such as streetscape improvement
plans, storefront facade renovations, and a marketing strategy
based on the town's unique historic and architectural assets Students
are in close consultation with local partners and sponsors including
public officials, not-for-profit organizations, high school students
and teachers, historical societies, business improvement organizations,
owners, and advocacy groups.
After discussing concerns and suggestions with
residents during an initial "fact-finding" visit Jan.
11, the students decided on projects and broke up into groups
focusing on design, marketing and promotion, grass-roots organizing,
and economic restructuring. They then rolled up their sleeves
and got right to work researching and devising plans.
"The best part of this course is that it
gets the students involved in a genuine downtown revitalization
program," said Facca. "They're learning in a very hands-on
way how to apply information presented in all of their building
conservation classes."
And they're helping renew interest in a beautiful
yet struggling area of Middleburgh. "[The village] has a
distinctive character, significant architecture, and is filled
with enormous potential," said Mintz. "It is the aim
of our students to help those who have already begun the Main
Street revitalization process achieve their goals of an economically
viable and attractive downtown. We are honored to be part of that
effort."
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