Positive Change In City Leadership Will Guarantee Main Street’s Successful Outcome – ‘Urban Infill’ For Instance

There are subtle design details that have a powerful ability to make a building look or feel “right” in a certain area. Context tells us whether a design fits in and guides our decisions. We want a city’s buildings to share some regional characteristics that make a place a place. -Joe Bucher, AIA Urban infill is … Continue reading Positive Change In City Leadership Will Guarantee Main Street’s Successful Outcome – ‘Urban Infill’ For Instance →

Saying NO to Tarboro Street Housing For At Least 3 Reasons

#I - THE WRONG ANSWER FOR MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING: Affordable housing in historic districts and Wards should be looked at as a sustainable method of housing development. Buildings are durable commodities that can be used for decades. The addition of historic districts, which Rocky Mount has seven, into the housing equation is a win-win for … Continue reading Saying NO to Tarboro Street Housing For At Least 3 Reasons →

Hold Up A Minute -This Downtown Housing Plan on Tarborro St. Is Not a ‘Zion’ Slam Dunk – Part 1

It's been a great weekend for shotgun houses after publishing on Saturday morning my belief that they are a preferable alternative to government-owned housing. Social Media got busy commenting on what I'd written and added additional ideas and wonderful support for the need to save and preserve this vernacular architecture. There were many 'shares' spreading the word … Continue reading Hold Up A Minute -This Downtown Housing Plan on Tarborro St. Is Not a ‘Zion’ Slam Dunk – Part 1 →

Rocky Mount – “This Is Not Your Father’s Oldsmobile” – Any More

Bob Houghtlin, my late husband, spent all but a few years of his working career at the same company - Leo Burnett Advertising in Chicago, IL. He wore a suit and tie every day. Usually, he rode the Northwestern Train into Chicago from Winnetka, IL. and walked across the Loop to the same building. I'm … Continue reading Rocky Mount – “This Is Not Your Father’s Oldsmobile” – Any More →

“Historic and Worth the Trouble” – Tap @ 1918 – A Preservation Success Story

What is deemed historic, and worth saving, often depends on whose eyes you are looking through. I like the definition "old and worth the trouble," when applied to structures that are under consideration: should they be preserved or torn down? With each individual decision, we need to ask ourselves what part the structure has played in Rocky … Continue reading “Historic and Worth the Trouble” – Tap @ 1918 – A Preservation Success Story →

Saving The Shotgun Houses of Rocky Mount – Part 1

We’ve lost our minds, you do know that, right? For instance, I feel strongly about the removal of monuments.... the editing of our history....but I've mostly banged my head on the floor like a child getting a lot of mileage from a temper tantrum. I’m trying a new strategy when it comes to the preservation … Continue reading Saving The Shotgun Houses of Rocky Mount – Part 1 →