Cooter's Preservation Alley

Eventually, I will be moving this to another blog, but for now, here I go.

I have some good and not-so-good news in the world of preservation.

THE GOOD

1. MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA-- a $10 million fund based on matching grants has been set up to help restore and preserve historic sites and building in the Miami-Dade area. This is a first, even though in the past, $44 million was given for the preservation of the Viscaya Museum and Gardens.

Grant applications will be reviewed and the amount given based on the property's value. Over $700,000 can get up to the maximum $250,000.


2. BERWYN, ILLINOIS-- Ken and Mary Mottet bought a home seven years ago that was in bad shape, but its historic significance and unique character caused them to take the plunge.

They have been awarded Berwyn's Historical Society's Preservation Award for this year and earlier, had their 1937 art moderne home on the National Register of Historic Places.

Their home is located in the 3700 block of Curler Avenue. It was inspired by the 1933 World's Fair in Chicago and would be classified as art deco.

They have spent a lot of time and money on it. A picture accompanied the article "Art moderne home given preservation recognition" by Cari Brokamp, Nov. 28th.

And you thought Berwyn was all Bungalows. I sure did.

THE BAD

The MAIN STREET Programs in LIBERTYVILLE and WINFIELD, ILLINOIS may soon ride off into the sunset, both victims in cuts of village funding.

Funding in Libertyville was cut to $10,000 this year and the program itself could be a victim of its own success. There are those who think it is no longer needed. Anyone who has been for a visit knows that its downtown is as vibrant and bustling now as it ever was.

WINFIELD'Ss Main Street program was cut entirely by the village board. In order to remain in the Main street program, according to its sponsor, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, at least some of the funding must come from the municipality.

Libertyville and Winfield are two of Illinois' 67 Main Street communities. The main objective of these towns is to preserve and revitalize downtowns.

To my way of thinking, strip malls and big box stores are not capable of replacing a town's heart, and that is its downtown district. Let's hope the village boards come to their senses and realize what an asset being a Main Street Community is.

Well, Win Some, Lose Some. --Cooter