AIA Michigan Among Partners in Main Street Oakland County Workshop Series

June 12, 2009 - PRLog -- The American Institute of Architects Michigan (AIA Michigan, www.aiami.com) announced a partnership with Main Street Oakland County to host a series of workshops entitled, “Tools to Help You Stay in the Game in a Tough Economy.”

Beginning June 19 and continuing on July 17 and Aug. 14, this three-part series will focus on downtown and urban revitalization, preservation and sustainability issues.  It will feature local, state and national experts.

Each workshop will be held from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. at the Oakland County Executive Office Building Conference Center, 2100 Pontiac Lake Rd. (west of Telegraph) in Waterford.  The series will target architects, planners, preservationists, Main Street staffers, developers, business and building owners, community officials and Downtown Development Authority board and committee members.  

“If Michigan is to rebound, we must work together,” said AIA Michigan President and Oakland County Principal Planner/Preservation Architect, Ronald R. Campbell, AIA.  “Series like these are where we start.  Meeting together in this type of forum not only provides us with the opportunity to brainstorm, but also build partnerships and relationships that can help advance these ideas to fruition.”

The June 19 Main Street Oakland County workshop, “Downtown Economic Reality: The Good & The Bad,” covers topics ranging from how downtown businesses deal with the current economic situation (Visual Merchandising: Design That Sells) to a broader view of development (Financing Projects Today: It Can Be Done).

The second workshop, “Destination Downtown: The Rise of Place-Based Assets,” on July 17, focuses on what creates great downtowns and communities (New Economy in Old Downtowns) and will present the research findings of Michigan State University Central Region Director Dave Ivan.  “Making the Most of Your Community Assets,” “Assessing Your Historic Buildings,” and “Brick Masonry Restoration” for truly sustainable built environments are among the other topics that will be covered.

The series concludes on Aug. 14, with a workshop entitled, “Lead Your Downtown from Brown to Green,” and discusses the ‘Greening’ of our urban centers, including what has become socially acceptable and the the practical and personal benefits.  Anthony Rubano from the Illinois State Historic Preservation Office will be among the featured speakers and will discuss practical, low-cost design techniques that can help make small businesses in old buildings the “Greenest in America.”

Cost for the workshop is $75 per session ($25 for Main Street Community representatives and college students with current student ID).  Registration includes conference materials, continental breakfast, lunch and snack.  Professional Continuing Education Credits are pending for the American Institute of Architects (AIA), CES Credits and American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) CM Credits.  For further details, agendas and registration information, go to www.mainstreetoaklandcounty.com.

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The mission of AIA Michigan is to serve its membership, advance the values of the profession and improve the quality of the built environment. For more information on The American Institute of Architects Michigan, please visit www.aiami.com.