New statewide consultant job opens door to the future for historic building preservation

A national grant awarded to the Michigan Historic Preservation Network opens the door to future preservation efforts by funding a new consultant position to help develop a revolving fund for the nonprofit.

The 1772 Foundation, a Connecticut-based nonprofit that funds U.S. restoration and agricultural projects, awarded $19,000 to MHPN to enable the hiring of a consultant who will continue development of an ongoing funding source for the preservation of buildings that have historical significance in Michigan.

"We feel that a historic barn is just as important as a historic mansion or historic downtown,"
says Nancy Finegood, executive director. "We go into the community and do some grassroots organizing to get the building saved. We're thinking we could establish some small grants to help them with small [preservation] projects. We have the skeleton of the program, but need someone to help us make final decisions to get the program up and running."

The Lansing-based MHPN is looking for a consultant with experience in the real estate industry and in historic preservation -- someone who can work closely with the organization to establish a model for the revolving fund by early October 2012. The position will post nationwide in compliance with the terms of the grant; the consultant can work from anywhere in the U.S. and does not need to report in person to the Lansing office.

Finegood says the MHPN partners with grassroots groups to help them secure funding for particular projects and to educate them on what it takes to preserve a building. Two of their current projects include a protection of a trio of buildings in downtown Chelsea that were to be razed and are now for sale for $1, and a partnership to save Belding's historic clock tower.

For more information on the position, visit the MHPN website here, or apply for the position by sending a letter of interest and a résumé to Nancy Finegood, 107 East Grand River Ave., Lansing, MI 48906.

Source: Nancy Finegood, Michigan Historic Preservation Network
Writer: Deborah Johnson Wood, Development News Editor