Rowman & Littlefield Publishers The Historic District Action Guide: From Designation Campaigns to Keeping Districts Vital (American Association for State & Local History)

Product Description The Historic District Action Guide: From Designation Campaigns to Keeping Districts Vital is a results-oriented, straight-talking guide for local activists, professionals, and preservation commissions committed to winning and maintaining local historic districts. Its political approach focuses on the crucial challenges of gaining and sustaining community and local governmental support for historic district regulations. This how-to guide gives citizens who are fighting to designate a local historic district the political know-how to win the support of fellow residents and city hall. Everything is here: learning to think politically, mastering the political process; planning and strategy; campaign organizing and leadership; framing a practical vision; anticipating and handling the opposition; conducting community meetings; skirmishing with property rightists; managing issues, petitions, and public opinion; dealing with public officials; strategizing for public hearings; and winning the vote for district designation. Once the vote is won, the Action Guide shows how to maintain momentum in their communities once the initial political campaign to win historic preservation designation has faded and the real work of enforcement begins. Review In The Historic District Action Guide, Bill Schmickle provides communities and citizens with practical, accessible, and realistic advice for implementing and maintaining a historic district. The Guide doesn't dodge or hide the hard issues, and recognizes the essential politics of the process.--Thompson M. Mayes, Vice President and Senior Counsel, National Trust for Historic Preservation Schmickle makes it clear that a historic district, once formed, takes on a life of its own beyond the control of those responsible for its creation. Nonetheless, the author provides a guide for the journey to designation - a journey filled with controversy, politics, and community engagement.--Katie Rispoli Keaotamai, Executive Director, We Are the Next Written to inspire you, the local preservation advocate, to undertake the challenging work of creating a local historic district, William E. Schmickle's book features short, informative chapters containing real world examples, from across the nation. Read this if you want to WIN your fight to designate a local historic district and maintain it for decades to come.--Donna Ann Harris, Principal, Heritage Consulting Inc. Philadelphia PA About the Author William E. Schmickle, Ph.D., is past chair of the Annapolis Historic Preservation Commission and cofounder of the Oak Ridge, North Carolina, Historic District. His services are available through his website, www.preservationpolitics.com.