Revitalizing Our Past, Enriching Our Future: The Economic Power of Preservation #4

If you have been reading the blog, you know I am interested in the stories that are attached to all of the historic commercial architecture on Main Street - also a metaphor for the area surrounding downtown. Perhaps you can't personify the architecture as I do. I write that "a building speaks to me..." As … Continue reading Revitalizing Our Past, Enriching Our Future: The Economic Power of Preservation #4

Building Tomorrow on Yesterday’s Foundations: The Economics of Preservation in Rocky Mount #3

Rocky Mount’s historic Main Street tells a story. It’s a narrative of resilience, enterprise, and culture—a place where generations of entrepreneurs built businesses and communities flourished. As I walk along this street, I see glimmers of progress and promise: restored facades, new businesses breathing life into old spaces, and a renewed sense of pride in … Continue reading Building Tomorrow on Yesterday’s Foundations: The Economics of Preservation in Rocky Mount #3

From Neglect to Action: Preserving Rocky Mount’s Architectural Heritage – #2

The 1976 movie Network gave us an unforgettable speech by Howard Beale, played by Peter Finch, who defied the teleprompter on live TV to deliver this rallying cry: I'm damn mad....He goes on to say,"I want you to get MAD! I don’t want you to protest. I don’t want you to riot – I don’t … Continue reading From Neglect to Action: Preserving Rocky Mount’s Architectural Heritage – #2